FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s state budget director says Kentucky will be in trouble if no federal dollars are sent to help state and local governments.
What You Need To Know
- Kentucky state budget director says Kentucky needs federal dollars
- Director says every state organization expects financial trouble without more aid
- One Kentucky lawmaker is wary about receiving more federal aid
- Director says it's hard to know what budget will look like next year
John Hicks testified in front of the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue Wednesday, noting every state organization is expecting major financial trouble without more aid.
“All the major state government associations across the board have sought the federal government to provide fiscal relief for their upcoming revenue problems,” he said.
Kentucky received almost $16 billion to help with coronavirus-related expenses from the CARES Act, but House Budget Chairman Rep. Steven Rudy (R-Paducah) is wary of the federal government providing more aid.
“If we continue to ask for more and more money, we the people owe that money,” he said.
Adding the value of the American dollar could decrease, "I caution the members before we just beg the feds for more money what that really means.”
Hicks, however, maintains it is hard to know now what the fiscal situation will look like next year.
“The revenue estimating process right now is like nailing jello to the wall,” he said. “It is truly extremely difficult to get a truly accurate number.”
Kentucky ended last fiscal year with a surplus despite revenues falling sharply in April.