During his annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening, Gov. Andy Beshear reported, “The state of the Commonwealth remains strong; but our people, our commonwealth and our country are facing serious new challenges, and it’s our job to meet this moment.”
He noted that for the first time in his lifetime, a large portion of the American public is questioning one of the most important foundations of our country: the American Dream.
“As leaders,” he said, “we have a responsibility to reignite and refuel the American Dream. For the sake of future generations, it must burn bright in the minds of our people.”
Beshear stated that the American Dream begins with a job – and that no administration has created more. In the last six years, Beshear said his administration has more than doubled Kentucky’s previous investment record with more than $45 billion in new investment, marking the first-, second-, third- and fifth-biggest years for economic development on record. Team Kentucky has also broken job-creation records, with 68,000 new jobs at the highest three-year average for new wages in our history.
The speech also doubled as his budget address, and Beshear said that to ensure this success continues, the governor’s proposed budget would reinvest in job creation with $70 million for site development, $100 million for infrastructure to support large projects, and $25 million for a rural economic development fund to bring jobs to every part of the state.
He is also proposing a $150 million investment in Kentucky’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Combined with private funding, it will create $1 billion in new housing for Kentuckians across the state.
Beshear also took issue with policies in Washington.
“The impact of the President’s ‘big, ugly bill’ is going to hit Kentucky the hardest. It could close 35 rural hospitals, fire 20,000 health-care workers, and eliminate coverage for 200,000 Kentuckians. That ugly bill? It also cuts nursing scholarships at a time where a shortage threatens the quality of care our families receive. The combination of these federal failures threatens the American Dream with lost jobs, higher costs, shorter lives and longer drives just to see the same doctor. That’s why my budget pushes back, investing in our people and our health care. My budget fully funds Medicaid, even with the increasing cost.”
He also touted his “Pre-K for All” proposal. “Right now, more than half of Kentucky’s kids are showing up to kindergarten already behind. They come to school with fewer vocabulary words. Some don’t know their colors. Others aren’t even potty-trained. Most Kentucky parents can’t afford pre-K. So many of our neighbors want to work but simply can’t find or afford childcare. At a time when things cost too much, pre-K saves parents thousands of dollars every year. And one study shows it boosts parents’ earnings by nearly $9,000 per year for at least six years.”
Republican response to Beshear’s address
Speaker of the House David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers issued the following joint statement after Beshear’s address.
“In keeping with the constitutional role of the General Assembly, we have received the governor’s remarks and appreciate the governor’s comments. We are hopeful they will include the data and information we have requested of his administration for the last several months.
“Kentucky is well positioned because of the sound, fiscally responsible policies enacted by Republican supermajorities—often overriding gubernatorial vetoes to do so. These policies have produced a record budget reserve trust fund and allowed us to responsibly lower the state income tax. Our legislative focus will remain on protecting core investments, ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and avoiding commitments the Commonwealth cannot sustain. We will continue to prioritize measured growth, accountability, and long-term stability.”
The Republican Party of Kentucky also responded to the address:
“Tonight, Kentuckians once again heard more of the same from Andy Beshear. More gaslighting. More lies. More denial. He talked about bipartisanship, but the truth is he has never once been interested in working with Republicans because real progress in Kentucky has happened without him, not because of him.
“Since Andy Beshear first entered public office, kept afloat by his family name and low voter turnout, he has done little more than campaign for his next political ambition and tonight was no exception. He has spent his time riding the coattails of Republican supermajorities whose conservative, pro-growth policies built the economic foundation he now tries to take credit for.
“Under Republican leadership, Kentucky has shattered records. Record credit bond ratings. Record economic investment. Record tourism numbers. Republicans lowered the income tax, built the rainy-day and disaster relief funds to historic levels, strengthened protections for our kids, and delivered more opportunity and investment than ever before, often while Beshear tried to block or slow that progress.
“With President Trump back in office, America is back on track. After the dark days of the Biden administration, we are seeing record investment and a real economic comeback. Jobs and investment are returning not just to the country, but to Kentucky, with historic commitments from companies like GE and Apple.
“It is Kentucky’s conservative values that will continue to lead this commonwealth forward. When Republicans lead, progress follows. Cooperation was an option. Leadership was an option. Tonight, Kentuckians got neither, just more of the same from a governor who refuses to lead.”
(Photo: Gov. Andy Beshear delivers the State of the Commonwealth address, courtesy of Louisville Public Media)
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
