State says No Mid-Year Budget Cuts

If the state wanted to allay fears of a rumored mid-year budget cut taking the words "for now" out of the message would help. Leaving the possibility open does little to build confidence. But given the larger fiscal picture in Amereica right now...who can say anything with certainty?

But it's only a rumor - right up to the point where it isn't a rumor any more.

Between now and March when the final SEEK calculations are determined there is certain to be uncertainty.

This from Brad Hughes at KSBA:

Rumors about mid-year SEEK cut just that for now - rumors

Press reports that some school officials are worried about a possible mid-year reduction in SEEK funding are puzzling the Kentucky Department of Education’s top budget manager.

“We don’t know any basis for that rumor that’s there. I’ve asked our folks and no one has communicated that to anyone,” said Dr. Larry Stinson, associate commissioner of the department’s Office of District Support Services.

“Often, people go to a meeting and someone offers, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a shortfall. The economy’s down, state revenues are going to be down, and they are probably going to cut it.’ Folks take that to be reality or an informed opinion, and they’re going with it,” he said.

At least for the time being, the official word from Frankfort runs to the contrary. State Budget Director Mary Lassiter last week told legislators that state revenues were up in August. And in a meeting with Gov. Beshear’s budget staff that same week, “nothing was mentioned at all about there being any concerns (about SEEK),” Stinson said....