Kentucky Economic Watch | Publications | Press Releases | Resources
Tax and budget policy is a significant part of Kentucky Youth Advocates' efforts to help low and moderate income families in Kentucky. Taxes affect families directly and also provide most of the funding for vital government services, such as education, health care, transportation, child welfare and other safety net programs. State budget decisions reflect the priorities of Kentucky's leaders and carry long-term impacts on its citizens. KYA's goal through tax and budget work is to:
- Provide research on state budget and tax policies
- Emphasize state fiscal policies that promote long-term economic vitality
- Ensure appropriate state fiscal decisions are made (pdf)
- Promote a tax and budget system that is adequate, sustainable and transparent (pdf)
- Demonstrate the impact of tax and budget decisions on low-income and other vulnerable populations, especially children.
Recent Work
Tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 during President George W. Bush’s administration are set to expire at the end of 2010, sparking debate in Congress over different approaches to federal tax policy. The Washington, D.C.-based Citizens for Tax Justice analyzed the two different approaches being debated and found significant differences in how each approach would impact Kentuckians. Read more (pdf). Read the report (pdf).
04/14/10 Recovery Act Cut Federal Taxes for 99% of Working Families in Kentucky
As Kentucky families complete their 2009 tax returns before the April 15th deadline, and as Tea Party revelers across the nation discuss the false notion of increased tax burdens, a report, just released by Citizens for Tax Justice reveals that 99 percent of working Kentuckians benefited from lower taxes in 2009. Read more. Read the report (pdf).
03/24/10 Highlights of the Senate Budget
On Monday night the Senate met in Chambers to pass their version of the state budget. House Bill 290, as amended by the Senate, passed with a 35 – 2 vote with one Senator passing. The Senate agreed with the House to not consider an estimated $780 million in new revenue from expanded gaming as proposed by Governor Beshear. Read more (pdf).
03/12/10 Highlights of the House Budget
After some three‐and‐a‐half hours of debate on Wednesday, March 10, the House passed its version of the next two‐year budget. It differs from the Governor’s proposal by not including $780 million in new revenue from expanded gaming. However, the House budget does include a projected $371 million in new revenue over the course of the biennium put forth in HB 530; now awaiting approval in the Senate. Read more (pdf).
02/17/10 Needs of Kentuckians Rise during Recession, Balanced Approach Needed to Meet Demand
Lawmakers currently face a $1.5 billion gap between what it will take to meet people's needs over the next two years and how much Kentucky has available for the state budget. A new report released by Kentucky Youth Advocates offers several concrete strategies Kentucky lawmakers can use to increase revenue and balance the budget responsibly.
01/14/10 Kentucky’s Structural Deficit: Well‐Documented and Persistent
A new report released by Kentucky Youth Advocates makes the case that the end of the recession will not bring the end of Kentucky’s financial challenges. The slow and persistent decline in the growth of state revenues can only be remedied if legislators intentionally balance the tax structure to provide adequate revenues that prove stable and predictable over time.
01/14/10 Recurring Budget Shortfalls Require Balanced Approach for the 2011-2012 Budget
A new report, released by Kentucky Youth Advocates analyzes how budget shortfalls have been handled thus far and makes the case that it is time for the Governor and Legislators to take a balanced approach that includes new revenue measures.
01/07/10 2010 Budget Briefing
Kentucky Youth Advocates, and others from across the state, came together to discuss Kentucky's fiscal situation in greater detail. Participants learned just how big Kentucky’s budget gap is, and what the options are for closing the gap. Also, they learned from an experienced state budget advocate, Jon Shure, Deputy Director of the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, on how to talk about the budget crisis effectively.
10/12/09 Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Launches Kentucky Economic Watch
Kentucky Youth Advocates' Tax and Budget Initiative introduces Kentucky Economic Watch today. This new effort will provide consistent and comprehensive analysis of the three most telling data points reflecting the reality of Kentucky's economic climate; state General Fund revenue receipts, the state unemployment rate, and food stamp participation rates. The following examination of September's revenue receipts marks the first of the series.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
09/09/09 More than Just Numbers on a Page: State Programs Help Kentuckians
In an effort to engage Kentuckians in a discussion on the need for statewide tax reform, Kentucky Youth Advocates released four interviews. Each video features an individual from across the state who is receiving or who has received help from state-funded programs or services.
08/27/09 Guiding Principles
To ensure appropriate state fiscal decisions are made and to promote an adequate and sustainable tax and budget system, Kentucky Youth Advocates has released two resources to guide policymakers and analysts.
State Fiscal Decisions (pdf) | State Tax and Budget Systems (pdf)
Learn More
Find out more about tax and budget issues in Kentucky: