Welcome Center Closures Could Be Part of Budget Cuts

From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeighProposed budget cuts in Kentucky could make it more difficult for travelers and tourists to find their way around the Commonwealth.Most state agencies will see four-percent cuts under Governor Beshear’s budget-balancing plan, including the Department of Travel. And that could mean the department will have to reduce hours and close all eight welcome centers two days a week, says Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow."I think it will have a fairly significant effect, because they’re the frontline," says Sparrow. "They’re the people who give information on lodging and restaurants and attractions that people may see and in some cases they give our emergency information and help the traveling public."The cuts will also impact funding for the arts, staffing at the Kentucky Heritage Council and operating hours at the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort.Secretary Sparrow does not believe the cuts will require closure of any state parks, but says if the situation grows worse, that could change.