An Important Start to the Budget Process

President Capilouto sent the following message to the campus on Wednesday, January 29th. 

Members of the University of Kentucky Community,

Last night, Governor Andy Beshear presented his proposed state budget for the next two years. That proposal would provide a one percent increase in funding for the University of Kentucky and the other public institutions. This is the first step toward stabilizing and then growing support for our postsecondary institutions, which have sustained millions of dollars in funding reductions over the last decade. The Governor’s budget also proposed creating a pool of funds, to be matched by individual institutions, to help continue progress with infrastructure improvements across our campus. Such a matching pool of funds is critical to our efforts to continue to work to renovate and enhance the academic core of our campus.

We appreciate Governor Beshear’s commitment to, and support of, funding for education at all levels, including our state universities. He understands our essential role in helping create a strong future and strong economy for Kentucky. 

This is the first step in a long process that will play out before April. Both the House and the Senate, along with a number of legislative committees, will review and modify the proposal before it becomes final. We look forward to working with legislators and policy-makers in both the House and the Senate, who are supportive of us as well, on a state budget that invests in higher education and our Commonwealth’s future.

At important points in this process, we will communicate with you about where we are with the budget.

I appreciate the steadfast commitment you have to the work we do on behalf of students and all those we educate, serve, and heal throughout the Commonwealth.    Eli Capilouto President University of Kentucky