Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

LOUISVILLE, KY – The revised House state budget proposal is a good news/bad news proposition.

The good news is that this version strengthened support for our public schools in both categorical funding for transportation and general funding for SEEK. We continue to advocate for an elevated level of SEEK funding that both allows for broad discretionary control by local districts but also to ensure attention to supporting the workforce at the local school level.  

Superintendents need flexibility to meet student needs but those teachers, classroom aides, custodians, principals and other key members of the local school team need robust salary increases in the immediate. Contrary to the conventional wisdom in Frankfort, you can honor both the priority of local control and the priority around strengthening the workforce that is dedicated to so many of our kids.

The bad news is the House’s disappointing and surprising failure to prioritize child care. There is no infrastructure system more vital for children, families, and local economies. We have seen what happens when the child care system is fractured. We know that Kentucky – and every state – stands on the precipice of a crisis as federal funding sunsets. And it is befuddling – knowing the commitment to kids of so many House members – to see a budget that neglects such a critical element of the safety net for kids, working parents, and our state’s workforce. 

We hope to see our House members rectify the omission of child care as the budget proposal advances to the House floor and then over to the Senate.

Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children state policy and budget priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintky/.

###

About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.