LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky lawmakers approved a two-year budget plan that includes nearly $1 billion for the state’s judicial branch.
However, judicial leaders say the funding falls short of their request to the General Assembly, and they expect ongoing year-by-year deficits.
What You Need to Know
- Kentucky lawmakers passed a two-year budget that allocates nearly $1 billion to the judiciary
- Judicial leaders warn of a funding gap that could impact specialized court programs
- House Bill 504 is about $10 million below the requested judicial budget
- More than 5,000 people have found employment through specialty courts in the past five years
Each month, Shanda Correll works closely with court systems in Lexington, helping demonstrate how Kentucky’s judiciary can influence and transform lives.
Correll serves as a drug court caseworker and certified peer-support specialist with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She shared that in 2010, she faced similar struggles to those she now helps others overcome.
“I lived on a path of using all the time. I dropped out of high school. I had a kid early, you know, just made some poor life decisions. So, I really didn’t have any goals or aspirations,” Correll said.
Her journey led her to residential treatment and her first experience with drug court. It wasn’t until her second time in the program that she fully committed to change.
“I didn’t take the program for granted. I accepted the opportunities that they offered me. They were able to get me peer support certified. They had grant money, and they were able to do that,” she said.
Now eight years into recovery, Correll works as an office manager and targeted case manager at Solid Foundation Recovery, helping others navigate the system.
But House Bill 504, which outlines funding for the judicial branch, could jeopardize that kind of support.
The original proposal was more than $10 million short of the Administrative Office of the Courts’ request of nearly $355 million for fiscal year 2027.
Judicial leaders anticipate a shortfall of nearly $18 million, which could lead to cuts or elimination of specialty court programs, including those focused on mental health, veterans, and drug-related cases.
“Drug court literally saves lives, and that’s what we’re about, right? We want to save lives as a government, as a community. Why are we cutting funding to something that truly saves and changes lives?” said Shawn Tester, founder of Solid Foundation Recovery and a former drug court participant.
Tester added, “We are in recovery on the front lines, and we get to see beautiful things that legislators never get to experience. We get to see people come in that are beaten, battered, and broken and transform their lives.”
Solid Foundation Recovery provides case management, clinical treatment, and community engagement opportunities such as volunteer work at Wolf Refuge and Wolf Run.
Correll emphasized that a strong recovery network and peer support system play a crucial role in changing lives.
“As a person who has struggled with substance use in the past, I’ve always looked at the judicial system as being against me,” Tester said. “But to be in a position where I’m recognized for small steps forward makes a huge difference.”
She described it as the encouragement needed to help people move toward a better future.
Correll also shared that after completing her master’s degree next year, she plans to focus on helping individuals transitioning out of incarceration begin their recovery journeys.
Lawmakers approved a $32.4 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2027.
According to the Kentucky Court of Justice, more than 5,000 individuals have secured employment over the past five years through specialty court programs.
Leave a Comment