KEJA -- Raising The Bar: Toby Wilcher Statement

Raising the Bar: Kentucky's Real Budget Report

Teleconference Statement by Toby Wilcher:
December 15, 2005

My name is Toby Wilcher and I am member of KFTC in Madison County and a recent graduate of Berea College. My husband and I are raising a 5-year-old daughter who attends public pre-school. My husband is currently working, but he goes on seasonal layoff this Friday, and I receive SSDI. Our family's income is just slightly above the federal poverty level. Even so, it is a continuous struggle for us to provide for our household needs. Luckily, I am insured through Medicare and our daughter receives Medicaid. My husband has no health insurance, though, and he has a couple of medical conditions that he must simply ignore because our budget does not allow for him to receive needed medical intervention.

toby

After reading Raising The Bar: Kentucky’s Real Budget Report, I was struck by the enormity of the chronic under-funding of Kentucky's budget. However, the numbers can never tell the stories of families like mine or the thousands of others who must make do with much less. Our day-to-day struggles include tough decisions on spending and the strength and will to make those decisions—no matter what the sacrifice. We also often need to come up with creative ways to raise revenue for necessities. And by necessities, I'm talking about things like a winter coat for our daughter, a quick fix for our ancient car so it might get another 1,000 miles, or groceries to last till the end of the month.

With a daughter just entering the school system, I am especially concerned with the low per capita funding for education (50th in the nation) and for those with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (49th in the nation). We are blessed that our child is on track developmentally; but she has classmates with special needs, and I can only imagine what it must be like for those parents who strive to make sure their children have access to services. What kind of future is in store for these children, especially as funds become more and more scarce? Our schools are so under-funded now that teachers have to ask parents to contribute supplies for the classroom. Not supplies for extra activities, but basic supplies used throughout the year.

I recently heard that my niece, a 9th grader who has been an honor student throughout her school years, had started bringing home C's in science. Prepared to confront his daughter for slacking off, her father was shocked when she told him she was having trouble in her science class because there were not enough textbooks to go around for every student to be able to take the text home. There was no way for her to study for this class. This should never happen to any student in this state, but it happens far too often.

When this young woman graduates from high school, she should be able to continue her education at an adequately funded state college. She should be able to compete academically with any high school graduate in the U.S. Ideally, she will continue her education and stay in Kentucky where she will make wonderful contributions in her chosen field. But, at the rate things are going, her college education may end up being unattainable. Her parents, who both work, will have to struggle to pay the ever-increasing tuition costs. Raising The Bar: Kentucky’s Real Budget Report shows that while tuition at state colleges has significantly increased, state funding per student has decreased.

Just like those of us who must make tough spending decisions every day, our legislators will need to make some tough decisions and will also need the strength and will to carry out those decisions. And like us, they, too will need to find some creative ways to raise revenue. Fair and adequate tax reform is one place to start.

I believe taxes are the dues we pay to live in a secure, healthy society. As Kentuckians, we need to realize that we all benefit from an adequately funded budget. Past efforts by certain factions have demonized those who depend on government assistance. But the reality is that anyone who drives down a state road, visits a state park, has been helped by a State Trooper, or has participated in any number of events in our wonderful commonwealth has benefited from “government assistance.” Investments in sound infrastructure, quality health care, good schools, a fair and accessible justice system, affordable housing, and real economic development are all necessary to improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians.
A revenue neutral approach to taxes is not going to work. My old car stalls whenever I put it in neutral. Kentucky will also stall as long as we remain in neutral. Kentucky's families deserve to have leaders that aren't afraid to invest in our future and the future of our children.

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