On Tuesday, January 16, 2018, Governor Matt Bevin delivered his 2018 State of the Commonwealth and Budget Address to the General Assembly. The governor’s budget proposal, calls for several reductions and cuts in 70 state funded programs, including screening programs for colon, breast and cervical cancer,  education funding such as the Autism Training Center, work study scholarships, the Kentucky Coal Academy through KCTCS, and Robinson Scholars at UK. Bevin said that poor management, along with modest projected revenue growth, means Kentucky has to make tough and unpopular decisions. The governor’s budget would dedicate 100 percent of lottery funds to education, while returning over $7 million of coal severance funds back to coal counties. Governor Bevin added that some budget reductions could be avoided if the General Assembly enacts meaningful pension reform this session.