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Frankort State Journal. June 3, 2022.
Editorial: Partnership between KSU, hospital is a win-win for both parties
With all the dire news coming out of Kentucky State University in recent months, last week’s announcement of a partnership between the school and CHI Saint Joseph Health is a positive step in the right direction for students at the state’s only public HBCU (Historically Black College and University). The Lexington hospital is investing $2.5 million in the Frankfort institution’s nursing program.
CHI Saint Joseph Health CEO Anthony Houston presented a check in that amount to K-State’s Acting President Clara Ross Stamps and the pair signed a memorandum of agreement at a press conference on May 25.
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“CHI Saint Joseph Health and Kentucky State University share common core values — collaboration and inclusion,” Houston said. “We are excited about this opportunity to form a transformational and lasting relationship with Kentucky State University to help educate the next generation of nurses across the commonwealth and to build on the quality nursing team we have across Kentucky at CHI Saint Joseph Health.”
According to the agreement, CHI Saint Joseph Health will provide scholarships of up to $20,000 total for as many as 30 students enrolled in the KSU School of Nursing. The award for each student is intended to cover the cost of two years of the associate’s degree or the last two years of the Bachelor of Science in nursing program.
Scholarship recipients must meet program requirements and work with a CHI Saint Joseph Health-appointed liaison throughout the program as well as commit to working at one of the company’s facilities as a registered nurse for 30 months.
“The dire nursing shortage across the country is expected to intensify over the next few years,” Stamps explained. “This partnership with CHI Saint Joseph Health will allow us to work together to expand and increase the diversity of the nursing workforce in Kentucky by helping students achieve their goal of caring for others as we work to continue a journey to excellence in our School of Nursing.”
K-State’s Bachelor of Science nursing program started in 1967 and recently earned a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination.
“This new partnership will create a lasting and positive difference for many students while tackling a critical nursing shortage,” said Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, who is a KSU alum. “I am invested in making sure my alma mater succeeds as it strives to meet the needs of those it serves.”
We believe this partnership is a win-win for both the school and look forward to what the future holds for both.
Ashland Daily Independent. June 4, 2022.
Editorial: Making gas prices more affordable
The bad news is gasoline prices have continued to rise. But the good news is Gov. Andy Beshear has made an effort to give Kentuckians some relief.
Beshear’s administration filed an emergency regulation to freeze the state gas tax and to prevent a 2-cent increase per gallon that would have taken effect July 1.
The state gas tax is set by statute, both in its rate and how it is calculated. The current rate of 26 cents was set to increase under a trigger, resulting in a price hike on both regular and diesel fuel. Beshear asked the Department of Revenue to file the emergency regulation.
“Kentuckians cannot afford to pay more, and I am committed to doing everything I can to help keep more dollars in people’s pockets,” Beshear said. “This law was never intended to hurt Kentuckians during tough times, but with rising prices and inflation, this increase would have a negative impact on our families and it is time to take action.”
The funds collected through the state gas tax contribute to the Road Fund, which year to date is up 2.3%. Over the first seven months of the fiscal year, this action will reduce the budgeted Road Fund revenues by 1.6%. To make up for the lost road fund revenues, the governor will propose using funds from the upcoming General Fund budget surplus. The budget for next year also includes a 21% increase in transportation infrastructure dollars from the federal government.
The governor also sent a letter to Attorney General Daniel Cameron asking for advice on whether he should declare a state of emergency, which would activate the price gouging statute and further protect Kentuckians.
In addition to the executive regulation filed today, the governor signed an executive order in February that immediately stopped an increase in vehicle property taxes caused by soaring used car values and proposed a 1% state sales tax cut that the legislature failed to act on. He also wrote a letter to federal leadership, calling on them to suspend the federal gas tax until the end of the year.
It seems as though the governor is doing everything in his power to help Kentuckians endure current inflation. These moves are not permanent solution, but in this situation, it’s all that can be done, for now.
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