The Department of Public Advocacy, which houses Kentucky's public defenders, has responded to its shoestring budget by making a decision to refuse cases as of July 1.  That's when the agency's $2.3 million budget cut provided by the General Assembly kicks in. They will no longer take domestic violence cases, child support cases, truancy cases, cases dealing with treatment for the mentally ill, and other family court cases. 

In an article in The Courier-Journal, Ernie Lewis, who oversees the department and who has been calling attention to the need for more adequate funding, explains that this was the only option for public defenders, given the increase in caseloads and the chronic lack of adequate funding:  "Kentucky has to decide, do we want to continue to arrest people and charge them with crimes? If we do, we have to provide counsel for them. It's as simple as that."

This news follows the heels of the closing of a mental health facility in Louisville, of tuition increases that compromise access to college across the state, and of school lunch assistance being taken from children who need it — all because of this "tightening the belt" budget. 

Meanwhile, Senate President David Williams is defending the renovations to the Senate offices — kitchens for the caucus rooms, a senate lounge, etc.  When asked about the need for these renovations in the face of such a dire budget,  "Williams denied that state budget cuts are inflicting real pain. Regarding the Health and Family Services Cabinet and the Justice Cabinet, both of which are reporting sweeping program cuts, he said, 'You’re talking about people who you couldn’t print enough money for. I don’t accept the premise that they’re cutting anything to the bone.'"