Budget Update

Lawmakers from the House and Senate continued slogging through their differences on the state budget Thursday morning, unable to agree on much of anything. (PolWatchers)

EKU President Doug Whitlock told a faculty group this morning, that as of 6PM yesterday, the conference committee had identified at least 315 items of difference between the House and Senate versions of the Budget Bill.

Whitlock praised both houses for their careful consideration of higher education in the budgeting process. He reminded the faculty that the original "worst case scenario" included the original 3% cuts plus another 12% on top of that. As it stands now, worst case appears to be the original 3% cut, plus another 3% cut; and that second amount could go down to zero if all goes well.

Of course, this compares to an original budget request from CPE that called for $7 million plus in new money for EKU plus a 6% increase in tuition.

KSN&C hears that some universities are considering new...shall we say creative...means of increasing tuition, such as beginning to charge students for every hour they take. Presently, the typical practice is to charge for each hour up to full-time status (12 hours). If students are charged for every hour, it will likely be phased in, and at a reduced rate for hours beyond 12, initially.

Final Decision expected on Casinos this afternoon. (PolWatchers)

Bluegrass Institute declares the budget "dead."

Harry Moberly and David Williams are STILL fighting like two little girls at a Barbie birthday party. (Page One Kentucky) by way of The Arena.