By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-837769.mp3
Frankfort, KY – The 18-month study conducted by the staff of a legislative oversight panel estimates 30-to-60 thousand unauthorized, or illegal, immigrants reside in Kentucky. They consume public services and pay taxes and fees, but their net fiscal impact on state and local government could not be determined, says Rick Graycarek, of the project staff. "And the reason goes back to one of the main points. Nobody really knows how many are here and it's very difficult to estimate how many unauthorized aliens access public services and programs."
However, the 63-page report estimates the costs to education in the state at around 25-million dollars; two-point-three million dollars for emergency medical services; and up to three million dollars for state and local correctional services. The report offered a couple of suggestions for reducing some of the costs, which lawmakers will consider in coming months.