Lee Todd on the State Budget

The Kentucky House of Representatives has approved its version of the state's budget for 2008-2010.

In a very difficult economic environment, the House has made tough decisions and put together a budget package that would protect higher education. The House voted to restore the 12 percent cut - approximately $40 million - in our funding that was originally proposed in the Executive Budget.

I am very grateful to the members of the House for their support. And I commend everyone willing to support a budget package that increases the cigarette tax.

I spend a lot of my time talking about the "Kentucky Uglies." One of those is the poor health that haunts too many of our fellow Kentuckians for too much of their lives. We will make progress in building a healthier state if we make it harder for Kentucky's adults to continue a terrible habit and if we make it harder for Kentucky's kids to start.

The House budget is a strong and positive step forward in the budget process. But it is important to understand that this process is not over. This is Day 45 of a 60-day legislative session. The Kentucky Senate still must develop their version of the budget. The House and Senate must then agree to a final budget before sending it to the Governor for his review.So there is still a lot of work to do.

I have been talking with the Senate about UK's needs and the importance of maintaining their flagship University's momentum. It is a momentum they helped build with the last budget and we need their help to sustain it. I am telling them that we have used their past investments to recruit Kentucky students to our campus and ensure their success. I am telling them about the talented faculty and staff we have recruited to campus to join this community of dedicated professionals already making a difference for businesses and communities and families across Kentucky.

Kentucky's current budget problems will be repeated over and over again unless we invest in our colleges and universities. We know strong colleges and universities go hand-in-hand with more educated and healthier populations. Average household incomes are higher in states with nationally recognized postsecondary systems. Unemployment rates are lower and fewer public dollars are spent on health care. These states have healthier children and fewer people living in poverty.

Building a world-class postsecondary system in general and a Top 20 research university in particular will not happen overnight. And it will not happen at all if we cut our universities every time budgets are tight. Our success depends on a sustained commitment from our students, our faculty and staff, our donors, and our state.

Over the next three weeks, the state budget will be the dominant topic of discussion. But our University's work is too important to be distracted by conversations in Frankfort. Our students need you to stay focused on helping them be successful. Kentucky's businesses and communities need you to stay focused on helping them make progress. Kentucky's families need you to continue working toward making their lives better.

I will continue every day to make our case for the funds we need to build the University we want.I appreciate your dedication to the cause of building a better University of Kentucky and, by doing that, a better Kentucky.

SOURCE: Campus-wide email