House Dems: Bevin withholding $4M from schools

House Democrats on Wednesday accused Gov. Matt Bevin of withholding more than $4 million needed by public schools to make up for a formula-based funding program’s financial shortfall, although the governor pre-emptively released a video disputing their claims.

Standing together in the Capitol rotunda, House Speaker Greg Stumbo and other Democrats claimed that Bevin has refused to release about $4.6 million that is meant to account for a gap in so-called Support Education Excellence in Kentucky, or SEEK, funding.

The SEEK formula primarily benefits poor school districts, said state Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford, who chairs the House budget committee. The SEEK shortfall for fiscal year 2015-16, which ended June 30, totals more than $4.6 million.

Rand said he believes Bevin has full authority to distribute that money and called on him to do so.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/28/house-dems-bevin-withholding-4m-schools/91232236/