Press Statement on Final Budget (FCCR)

April 2, 2026
Contact: Lisa McKinney, Communications Director, The Prichard Committee
(cell) 859-475-7202
lisa@prichardcommittee.org

Prichard Committee Urges Final Budget Adjustments

LEXINGTON, Ky. —There are several important investments of note in the state budget, including an increase in SEEK funding—the state’s primary K-12 per-pupil funding formula, which covers basic operating costs, salaries, transportation and special needs; an overall increased investment in Tier I—a component of SEEK that provides extra support to districts with less local tax revenue; and continued support for dual credit and Work Ready initiatives. These are meaningful steps that support Kentucky’s education excellence and economic mobility.

At the same time, we urge lawmakers to consider targeted adjustments and to provide greater clarity and appropriate investment in several key areas:

• Advanced Placement Testing Fees: Restore $2.6 million in line-item funding for first come, first served advanced placement testing fees.
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): Restore $28 million in line-item funding for child care provider reimbursement.
• Numeracy Counts: Restore $5 million in line-item funding for Numeracy Counts.
• KCTCS Funding: Restore full FY 2026 funding for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

These investments are not isolated; they are part of a broader, connected strategy for upward mobility. From access to affordable child care, to strong K-12 foundations, to reliable transportation to school, and ultimately to postsecondary pathways through KCTCS, each piece plays a critical role in expanding opportunity for Kentuckians.

While this budget includes positive steps and restores some previously reduced investments, key gaps and unanswered questions remain. Before final adjournment, we encourage policymakers to make necessary corrections, clearly outline sufficient funding through transparent line items, and ensure the budget reflects a coherent, statewide commitment to upward mobility.

The Prichard Committee will release a more comprehensive analysis in the coming week as we complete our full review of the budget and its interaction with other legislation.

The Prichard Committee believes in the power and promise of public education –early childhood through college– to ensure Kentuckians’ economic and social well-being. We are a citizen-led, non-partisan, solutions-focused nonprofit, established in 1983 with a singular mission of realizing a path to a larger life for Kentuckians with education at the core.