Weekly Legislative Updates – Marianne Proctor for State Representative

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Representative Marianne Proctor

February 3, 2025

Lawmakers committed to providing education funding, troubled by ongoing issues with estimates from KDE

Education is the foundation of a successful life and the great equalizer. If someone cannot read or write, they will never reach their potential. Equally important is that all Kentucky children should receive access to an education that provides them with these basic skills and foundational knowledge – regardless of where they live, what district they attend school in, and how financially well off they are.

The Kentucky General Assembly’s commitment to this goal is evident in the historic levels of funding (even after adjusting for inflation) lawmakers have provided over the past eight years to educating students in preschool through 12^th grade and postsecondary education. It is also clear in the policies passed by the legislature to address the learning of math and reading, classroom behavior, and recruiting and retaining quality educators.

Approximately 50% percent of the state’s $15.5 billion annual general fund budget is allocated to preschool, kindergarten, elementary and secondary, career and technical education, and postsecondary students. To make these investments and to craft meaningful legislation, we rely on data and estimates provided by the Department of Education (KDE) and Office of the State Budget Director (OSBD), including Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding forecasts and operating estimates for a litany of state-funded programs in place to support our local districts.

Over the last 15 years, KDE and OSBD have provided inaccurate data numerous times, resulting in both shortfalls and spending over the amount actually needed. For example, the Department of Education saw a SEEK surplus of over $156 million last year. This year, the Department is projecting a $43 million shortfall in SEEK funds. Lawmakers will deal with the shortfall, but a deeper concern is the continued inaccuracies in the estimates provided by KDE and OSBD.

The General Assembly appropriates funding based on data provided by the department and the state budget director. During the budget process in the 2024 Regular Session, the General Assembly raised questions about the data provided by these entities, to the extent of requesting data from each of the school districts through the Kentucky Superintendents Association to identify inaccuracies during the construction of the budget. Relying on the only official data provided by the KDE and OSBD, the General Assembly funded K-12 education, including SEEK, at historic levels. Nearly a year later, KDE has determined that its own data was inaccurate, leading to the funding shortfall.

The General Assembly did not underfund the SEEK fund. The Department of Education has turned a $156 million surplus into a $43 million shortfall by providing imprecise projections and requests to the General Assembly. This government organization oversees the education of our state’s nearly 700,000 students and should be able to provide more accurate budget requests and funding projections to ensure our students’ needs are met.

To his credit, Commissioner Fletcher made us aware of the shortfall prior to announcing it this month and the situation predates his tenure. Nevertheless, KDE and OSBD were confident in their estimates, and the requests were reflected in the state budget.

We are assessing the potential impacts on school districts and will know more when we receive the final numbers for the current fiscal year from KDE on March 1. Regardless of the circumstances that have led to this unfortunate situation, we will respond to the data errors of KDE and OSBD to ensure that our children continue receiving the education they deserve.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Representative Marianne Proctor

January 27, 2025

Visit Now: Last session in historic capitol for several years as renovation closes campus

As we prepare for part two of the 2025 Regular Session to resume on February 4, it is worth noting that this will mark a significant moment in our legislature’s history. It will be the final session held in the Capitol building for at least three years, as extensive renovations are set to begin immediately following adjournment of the General Assembly.

This historic building, which has stood as the heart of the Commonwealth since 1910, will close its doors to the public, elected officials, and staff while the necessary upgrades and restorations that are part of the $300 million project take place. Those who have visited Frankfort recently have seen the scaffolding that covers the dome as exterior work began several years ago. Interior work will begin as we enter the next phase. While this project is expensive, it would be far more expensive to replace the facility or wait longer to make improvements. The fact is, while still an architecturally beautiful symbol of our state’s potential, it is old, out-of-date, and requires structural upgrades to ensure it remains a part of our state for generations to come.

This project also means that those who have yet to visit or wish to visit again need to do so now. For everyone’s safety, the Capitol building itself will be completely off limits until all renovations are complete.

During this time, the legislature will be meeting in the temporary chambers constructed in the parking lot on the east side of the Capitol Annex. These chambers have been designed to accommodate both the House and Senate. They will serve as our working home until the Capitol is ready to reopen.

The transition to the temporary structure was initially scheduled to occur this session. However, the Governor’s administration decided to delay the construction project a year.

While change is often bittersweet, the renovation project represents our investment to preserve our Capitol for future generations. We look forward to seeing our Capitol restored to its full glory, coupled with some modern enhancements while maintaining its history.

For now, I encourage you to take the opportunity to visit while we are in session. Use this time to make the most of our last session in the Capitol building as we prepare to turn the page on a new chapter in our Capitol’s history. For your convenience, I will include information on how to visit the Capitol and the Capitol Annex:

Capitol Building:

Hours of Operation:

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Excluding specific holidays)
Saturday- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Excluding specific holidays)
Sunday- Closed

Parking: On-site parking is available on Capital Avenue. Large groups and school tours are asked to call (502) 564- 3449 to make arrangements and get information about providing identification. Bus parking is available along Capitol Avenue in front of the Capitol building.

Tours: For tours or additional information, please contact my office at 1-800-372-7181 or 502-564-8100, or email me at [email protected].

Capitol Annex:

Legislative Committee Meetings: Legislative committee meetings are held throughout the year and are open to the public. No special passes are needed. Most committee meetings occur on the first floor of the Capitol Annex, although some are held in various spaces in the Capitol during a legislative session. Visitors should consult the Legislative Calendar on legislature.ky.gov for dates, times, and room numbers, and be prepared for last-minute changes.

Parking: A large parking garage is located on the east side of the Capitol Annex (the office building directly behind the Capitol). The surface lot of the garage provides public parking, and several ADA spaces are in the row closest to the Annex. Levels 4-6 also provide parking for the public, and Levels 4 and 5 offer ADA accessible parking near the elevators. Level 2 and half of Level 3 are reserved for vehicles with permits.

Resources for Teachers:

School Group Tours: The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) is great resource for teachers and students who are interested in learning about the legislative process! To schedule a school group tour, please contact my office at 502-564-8100 or email me at [email protected].

Alternatives to Capitol Visit: While the Capitol is closing for at least three years, Frankfort is still a place rich with history. Bring children to visit the Thomas D. Clark Kentucky History Center, the Old Capitol, or the Military History Museum. I also have some resources for groups that cannot make the trip – including a video tour and activity books.

Watching Online: If you are not able to visit in person, we use a variety of tools to keep the legislature’s work accessible and transparent. For decades, Kentucky Educational Television (KET) has televised committee meetings and the work we do on the House Floor. In addition, the legislature now offers a YouTube channel and broadcasts live from all committees, including those that KET is unable to cover. To access the KET and YouTube coverage, visit www.legislature.ky.gov and click on the Live Coverage box. You may also go directly to them via www.ket.org and KY LRC Committee Meetings on YouTube.