Contact: Jay Blanton

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher flanked by UK President Lee T. Todd Jr., Executive Vice President for Health Administration Michael Karpf

Fletcher praised representatives and senators from the Lexington area for their support of the budget and of his proposal to modernize the state’s tax system, which he said will encourage economic growth throughout the commonwealth.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2005) -- Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher today cited bipartisan cooperation in the 2005 Kentucky General Assembly as being the key to obtaining approval for a budget that will support a new hospital, a new pharmaceutical complex and a new student health facility at the University of Kentucky.

Flanked by UK President Lee T. Todd Jr., Executive Vice President for Health Administration Michael Karpf and more than 20 pharmacy students, Fletcher noted the budget passed by the legislature in March includes bonding authority of $100 million for the new UK hospital, $40 million for a Biological/Pharmaceutical Complex and $24 million for the student health facility.

The budget also includes bonding authority of $8.4 million for an animal diagnostic center and $7 million for a basketball practice facility.

“Because of the commitment to higher education demonstrated by Gov. Fletcher and the General Assembly, UK will be able to move forward in its mission to become one of the top public research institutions in America,” Todd said. “We'll begin work on projects – such as the new hospital and Biological/Pharmaceutical Complex – that will create good-paying jobs, stimulate our economy and improve health care for all Kentuckians through further research.”

Fletcher also pointed out the budget provides $26 million for highway projects in Fayette County, along with $4.6 million for Lexington water and sewer projects.

He praised representatives and senators from the Lexington area for their support of the budget and of his proposal to modernize the state’s tax system, which he said will encourage economic growth throughout the commonwealth.

“By restructuring the state’s outdated tax code, we can achieve a more reliable revenue system and promote economic opportunities for every citizen of Kentucky,” he said.