Carroll, Legislature asking why senior meal programs are running out of money

State Senator Danny Carroll and members of the General Assembly are asking questions of the Beshear Administration as to why senior meal programs around the state are running out of money.

Carroll told The Greg Dunker Show that a Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee hearing with representatives from the administration did not answer questions about the shortfall. He said the Area Development Districts across the state have had to cut the number of meals served to seniors, in the case of the Purchase Area Development District, to two meals per week. Many of the districts are trying to fundraise and seek other avenues to get food to the seniors being served.

The combination of state and federal funds allocated has not changed during the course of the fiscal year; however, the projections developed by the administration resulted in less money being allocated out of the last state budget. The question that could not be answered by the administration officials was why, in the month of August, were the program providers encouraged to sign up new clients when now, they are running out of money.  

Some legislators have floated the idea of a special session to deal with the senior meal crisis, although the Governor has not indicated any interest in that, while traveling abroad.

Carroll said that representatives will be back before his committee next week for an update.