Kentucky budget forecasters anticipate a dramatic drop in the state's General Fund dollars as a result of measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19. WUKY's Josh James has more on the latest update.
State Budget Director John Hicks delivered the bad news to lawmakers on the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue. They're numbers that flow from a downward revision in revenue projections for the current fiscal year ending in June.
The General Fund is used to pay for the majority of state services, including healthcare and public safety.
The deep cuts will be yet another item on Gov. Andy Beshear's daunting to-do list, but a special legislative session will be needed to handle a slimmed down Road Fund budget. While Beshear has said more federal stimulus is necessary to ease the financial burden on cities and counties.
Sen. Mitch McConnell has said he foresees more limited aid to states and local governments, but he's warned the federal government will not erase "pre-existing" fiscal problems for states.
