Call to Order and Roll Call
The fourth meeting of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, and Public Protection of the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue was held on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 10:00 AM, in Room 129 of the Capitol Annex. Representative Rita Smart, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Danny Carroll, Co-Chair; Representative Rita Smart, Co-Chair; Senators Joe Bowen and Dennis Parrett; Representatives Adam Koenig, Brad Montell, Tom Riner, Tom McKee and Steve Riggs.
Guests: Major General Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General, Kentucky National Guard; Major Jake McKinney, State Education Director, Kentucky National Guard and James Fowler, Chief Information Officer, Commonwealth Office of Technology.
LRC Staff: Joe Lancaster, Katie Comstock, Raymont Griffith, Stephanie Rich, and Ashlee McDonald.
Update on National Guard Tuition Award Program and the National Guard Youth Challenge Program
Major General Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General, Kentucky National Guard, provided an overview of the Kentucky National Guard Tuition Program. The Kentucky National Guard Tuition Assistance program is the most effective recruiting and retaining programs. Under the Kentucky National Guard Tuition Assistance Program, tuition is paid up to the in-state tuition rate in support of a member of the Kentucky National Guard for attendance at an in-state public or private postsecondary educational institution. The Kentucky National Guard Tuition Assistance only pays for expenses for programs up to a bachelor’s degree level of education. The assistance program utilizes the full program budget of $4.8 million dollars per year.
Responding to a question from Representative McKee, Major General Tonini explained that the tuition assistance program is not receiving any federal funding and the General Assembly is the sole source of funding for the program.
In response to a question from Representative Montell, Major Jake McKinney, State Education Director, Kentucky National Guard, explained that although the cap is 10 semesters or $50,000.00, a student may choose how to use those semesters and credit hours, as long as it does not go above the allotted 10 semesters or $50,000.00 cap.
Responding to a question from Representative Riggs, Major McKinney estimated that it is an even split on the attendance of college through technical colleges or universities. Major McKinney said that there was not an additional commitment with the KYNG after a degree is acquired.
Brigadier General Steven Bullard, Legislative Liaison, said that the traditional commitment with any military branch is one additional year after completion of education, however, there has not been any issues since they usually remain in the KYNG for their initial six to eight year commitment.
In response to Representative Denham, Major General Tonini stated that the number one retention program is the KYNG Tuition Assistance. The target age is 19-24 years old and Criminal Justice is the major with the most interest. The KYNG has partnered with major universities so that members of the guard can receive college credit hours for classes taken while in the KYNG.
Representative Koenig suggested that the KYNG Tuition Assistance Program provide an incentive for those willing to take their basic academic classes at technical colleges where cost per credit hour is cheaper to help their tuition dollars go farther.
Responding to a question Representative Smart, Major Tonini estimated that there has been a steady increase in the number of students that graduate from the KYNG.
The Kentucky National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe is a 22 week program designed to help at-risk youth. With two academies in Kentucky, the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy at Fort Knox and the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy in Harlan, the curriculum covers extensive academic studies geared toward completing a high school diploma as well as fitness, leadership, and community awareness projects.
Responding to a question from Representative Montell, Major General Tonini said that the students are originating and enrolling from every part of the state. Major McKinney added that it is approximately $8,100.00 per student per cycle of the program. The KYNG Youth ChalleNGe is receiving SEEK dollars.
Responding to a question from Representative Riner, Major Tonini stated that the main objective of this KYNG program is to get the students back to their home school and on track academically.
In response to a question from Representative Riggs, Major Tonini emphasized that the training received at the program is for “soft skills” needed to be successful with further schooling and employment.
Responding to a question from Representative McKee, Major Tonini explained that Job Corp is not affiliated with the KYNG Youth program.
Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT) Services – Agency Cost Allocation and Billing Methodology
James Fowler, Chief Information Officer, Commonwealth Office of Technology, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the cost allocation for COT. COT operates in accordance with a federally approved Statewide Cost Allocation Plan that is monitored by the Kentucky Office of the Controller and receives no general fund appropriations. Rates are set every two years in conjunction with the biennium budgeting process.
In response to a question from Representative Montell, Mr. Fowler stated that COT receives no allocation from the general funds. Any rates that are provided to agencies that get federal funding cannot over-recover by more than 6 percent, and the 6 percent is to be reinvested in the technology.
Responding to a question from Representative Denham, Mr. Fowler said that NASCIO (National Association of State CIOs) rated Kentucky as one of the top five effective infrastructures in the United States.
In response to a question from Representative Riner, Mr. Fowler stated that the facility where the information is stored is hardened and was designed to be a data storage center.
In response to a question from Representative Montell, Mr. Fowler explained that COT is audited annually and routinely checks for bids to provide services at lower costs.
Responding to a question from Representative Smart, Mr. Fowler stated that the top four top agencies that use COT services are Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Education and Workforce Development, Department of Transportation and the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. COT has 117 field technician employees across the state.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.