A general assembly session attracts a lot of attention from a lot of different interest groups. That certainly includes the higher education community.
This week marks the start of a 30-day, or what’s often called, short session in Frankfort.
Kentucky senators and representatives will hear from a lot of people with varied interests over the next couple of months. Amy Scarborough is Eastern Kentucky University's government, community, and corporate relations officer. She said she will strive to inform legislators of key EKU programs such as education, nursing, and aviation.
“We understand that we fuel the workforce in Kentucky and in our service region. It’s very important for us to support the programs that will produce graduates who will go back home and work in their communities,” said Scarborough.
Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaddin agrees nursing, education, and aviation programs deserve attention.
“There are areas that we’re focused on there from a perspective about policies. There are policies that can enhance, accelerate time to degree, interest in those academic programs and those professions,” said McFaddin.
Inflationary pressures along with lingering supply chain issues are driving up the cost for major building projects on the Richmond campus. If the legislature decides to do any appropriation, McFaddin says EKU would be asking for help in covering what could be a 20 to 30% increase in labor and supplies cost for a new Model school and major Alumni Coliseum renovation. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer has stressed there are no plans to “open up” the budget in this session.
