FRANKFORT, Ky. — Nearly two weeks into this year’s legislative session, Senate Democrats laid out their priorities for this year. It includes education, income tax reduction, and helping struggling families.
Much like the governor’s budget proposal, the Senate Minority Caucus wants to give educators and other school workers 11% pay raises. They also want to see universal pre-k become a reality.
On raises, Minority Caucus Chair State Sen. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, says that money would go directly to personnel, freeing up districts to use that money elsewhere.
“Once we provide those salaries, they can do more in terms of being able to provide money for teachers in areas of professional development, to fully fund transportation, to fund interventions in schools where students are having mental health issues,” Thomas said.
Minority Whip David Yates, D-Louisville, agrees. Use the surplus of dollars the state currently has to better education.
“We have the opportunity to bring these great companies in because the cost of living is here. If we could have a top education system, could you imagine the growth that we have? That is one of the reasons people are not choosing Kentucky,” Yates said. “It’s time that we double down on our education.”
Democrats also expressed concerns about the lowering of the state income tax. The state must meet certain economic criteria to do so incrementally. Still, Minority Caucus Chair Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, says that lost revenue must come from somewhere.
“The fact of the matter is, the closer we get to zero in terms of income tax, that means we’ve got to get income from somewhere, or that means we have to not address and issue that deals in the area of opportunity and needs and uplift of our people,” Neal said.
During Thursday’s news conference, State Sen. Cassie Chambers-Armstrong, D-Louisville, highlighted several bills Democrats have filed this year to support children and families. They include adding a $1,000 child tax credit, eliminating sales tax on diapers and expanding access to free school breakfast and lunch.