The Misadventures of Moscow Mitch: From the KDP: McConnell Leaves Kentucky With a $1.1 Billion Budget Shortfall

By KENNY COLSTON

Kentucky Democratic Party

Frankfort, KY — After declaring in April that states should go bankrupt due to expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitch McConnell is leaving Kentucky vulnerable to a $1.1 billion shortfall. 

In a press conference earlier this week, the Commonwealth of Kentucky announced the shortfall. Without federal help, the state would see across the board cuts of 16 to 29 percent. 

The largest ever cut in the state budget previously was 12 percent, meaning without federal assistance there will be severe cuts in education, public health, public safety and other state-funded areas, likely leading to job cuts, reduced assistance and possible bankruptcy.

"This would be like letting Kentucky go bankrupt,” Gov. Beshear said at the press conference. 

Kentucky has hired hundreds of people to deal with high unemployment due to the pandemic. As other states are surging in new cases as they re-open, Kentuckians have followed a solid plan that has kept the state in a level plateau instead of a spike. 

Meanwhile, McConnell continues to hurt Kentuckians by playing a game of chicken between keeping them safe or forcing them -- and the state -- into financial ruin. 

“Mitch announced months ago that he wanted to let state’s go bankrupt, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone. Mitch turned his back on Kentucky a long time ago,” Kentucky Democratic Party spokesperson Marisa McNee said. “Kentucky deserves a leader like Amy McGrath who is willing to stand up for them, and in November they will make their voices heard.”