Kentucky’s governor, Steve Beshear, a Democrat, has called for a 6.4 percent cut in state funds to higher education. This would reduce total state funding for colleges by more than $50 million. Beshear acknowledged that his proposed budget was “inadequate for the needs of our people” but required because of “the historic recession of the last four years.” But “given our current resources,” the governor explained, “these cuts are unavoidable.”
Unavoidable is relative, however. Beshear also apparently plans to give $43 million in tax breaks this year to Answers in Genesis. Answers is an evangelical group that plans to construct a creation-themed amusement park in Northern Kentucky.
The governor’s 2012 budget also provides $11 million in earmarks to improve the highway near the park.
