HB 1 GAINS MOMENTUM AS 17 ORGANIZATIONS PREPARE TO OFFER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

October 21, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2026) — Seventeen organizations have filed declarations to participate in Kentucky’s new education scholarship program, state officials told lawmakers Wednesday, as public- and private-school leaders described how House Bill 1 could help families afford more educational opportunities.

The update came during the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity’s examination of HB 1, which secured Kentucky’s participation in the federal scholarship tax credit program.

HB 1 initially passed both chambers with bipartisan support. The General Assembly overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto in March, securing Kentucky students’ access to the program.

Sponsored by Reps. Kimberly Moser, R-Taylor Mill, and TJ Roberts, R-Burlington, HB 1 was carried in the Senate by Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens, R-Greensburg.

“We want every kid in the commonwealth to have people who believe in them as much as you all do,” commission co-chair Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, who led Wednesday’s meeting, told the educators.

Beginning in 2027, eligible taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to listed scholarship-granting organizations, known as SGOs. Under the IRS’s proposed rules, married couples filing jointly could claim up to $3,400 based on each spouse’s qualifying contributions. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it is limited to the taxpayer’s federal income tax liability. Unused credit may carry forward for up to five years.

Those organizations award scholarships to eligible students to cover educational expenses. HB 1 does not appropriate money from Kentucky’s education budget or change the SEEK funding formula. Fiscal analysis found that HB 1 is not expected to reduce state General Fund revenues.

For Will Hodges, a former Green County Schools superintendent now advising the Kentucky Education Fund, the opportunity comes down to confidence in his own community.

“I do feel like my local school system and my community school will do a better job of managing those dollars than Washington, D.C., does,” Hodges said.

Hodges was responding to Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, who asked what concerns he was hearing from public-school leaders as they prepare to participate.

Hodges described scholarships that could help eligible families with tutoring, educational equipment, technology and other qualifying expenses. The Kentucky Education Fund is working with the state’s 15 area development districts to connect schools, donors and communities ahead of the program’s launch.

Bowling Green Independent Schools Superintendent Gary Fields said his district plans to partner with the fund, initially focusing on helping families afford dual-credit courses and Advanced Placement exams. These opportunities can help students earn college credit and prepare for careers while still in high school.

“If it can help our kids, we’re going to do it,” Fields said.

At Louisville’s West End School, President and Head of School Gregory Ross described a different need: sustaining full scholarships for students whose families otherwise could not afford the school.

Ross said every student receives a full scholarship and the school must raise roughly $5 million annually to support its work. He described students overcoming homelessness and other hardships with consistent academic support, structure and high expectations.

“When we talk about the importance of something like an SGO, it’s a lifeline for us,” Ross said.

Tichenor lauded the school’s work before asking how it would participate in the scholarship program.

“It really is incredibly impressive what you guys are doing,” she told Ross.

The testimony showed how the same federal program can support students in different educational settings.

Public-school students can get help with qualifying expenses, while eligible private-and home-school students can pursue support tailored to their educational needs.

Democratic governors in Colorado and New York have also embraced participation, citing opportunities to help public-school students.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced her state would participate, saying, “I’m not going to leave money on the table when it could help our kids.”

Public-school advocates are preparing to participate, too. NPR reported Oct. 20 that the Southern Education Foundation, which previously opposed the program, is launching an alliance of scholarship-granting organizations to support public-school students.

Kentucky’s participation means students here can qualify for scholarships supported by the federal credit. Without it, Kentuckians could still claim the credit for qualifying donations benefiting students in participating states elsewhere.

Secretary of State Michael Adams and his staff outlined preparations for 2027, including reviewing new federal rules and compiling Kentucky’s list of participating organizations. Michael Wilson, the office’s director of business services and deputy general counsel, updated the number of organizations that have filed declarations to 17 as of Wednesday morning.

Federal requirements include income verification, scholarships for at least 10 students who do not all attend the same school and spending at least 90 percent of SGO income on scholarships. Eligible students generally must live in households earning no more than 300 percent of area median gross income, adjusted for family size.

Organizations seeking to participate should review the secretary of state’s program information and filing guidance. Officials identified Nov. 30 as the initial declaration deadline under Kentucky’s proposed regulation.

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Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, represents the 12th Senate District, which includes Boyle, Mercer, and Woodford Counties and part of Fayette County. She is vice chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue and Families and Children Committees. She co-chairs the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity.

During the interim, Bledsoe serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Families and Children; Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations; Local Government; and State Government. As Senate budget vice chair, she holds ex officio roles on multiple budget review subcommittees.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate112.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Bledsoe.

Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, represents the 6th Senate District, including Oldham and Trimble Counties and part of Jefferson County. She serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Education; Health Services; Local Government; State Government; and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. She is also a member of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity and the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee. Additionally, she is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate106.jpg for a high-resolution JPEG file of Tichenor.

Visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.

During the 2026 Interim period, committees meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 5.

The full 2026 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas is available here.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.

ADAMS’ EARLIER REFORMS PROVIDE FOUNDATION FOR CALLAWAY PROPOSAL ON INCARCERATED MATERNAL CARE

October 21, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2026)—A proposal to improve care for incarcerated mothers and their babies brought lawmakers back to an issue Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, has championed since 2018. Tuesday’s Interim Joint Committee on Health Services meeting examined how better reporting could help ensure existing protections are being carried out.

Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, presented 2027 Regular Session Bill Request 425 alongside representatives of the Reason Foundation and Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. The preliminary proposal would standardize reporting and auditing of prenatal and postpartum care across correctional facilities.

“The circumstances that bring a woman into custody do not diminish her need for care or her hopes for her child,” Adams said. “That has guided my work from the beginning. We have a responsibility to protect the health of both mother and baby and to treat women with dignity during a particularly vulnerable time in their lives.”

Adams sponsored Senate Bill 133 in 2018, known as the Dignity Bill, which passed with bipartisan support. The law established requirements for adequate nutrition for pregnant women in jail and hygiene products for women in custody. It also strengthened protections against the use of restraints during pregnancy, labor, transport for delivery and postpartum recovery.

She expanded those protections through Senate Bill 84 in 2021. The law established access to community programs and social workers to help mothers plan for their babies’ care and required facilities to allow newborns to remain with their mothers for up to 72 hours after birth unless a medical professional identifies a health or safety risk. It also prohibited restrictive housing for medical observation during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period.

Callaway acknowledged Adams and other lawmakers for their work on maternal care, emphasizing that those efforts must include women in correctional facilities.

“They found themselves in the care of our correctional facilities, and we have a duty to ensure they too are cared for and that the baby has a fighting chance even before his and her first breath,” Callaway said.

Reason Foundation policy analyst Layal Bou Harfouch cited Adams’ earlier laws while explaining that gaps in publicly available, comparable information make it difficult to assess their implementation. The proposed framework would track care from the identification of pregnancy through delivery and postpartum recovery.

The need for better information has also drawn national scrutiny. A 2025 Bloomberg Law and NBC News investigation found that at least 22 states did not track pregnancy outcomes in jails. Kentucky’s earlier work is featured in Justice Action Network’s national “Women Unshackled” case study, which identifies Adams’ 2018 Dignity Bill as the first of its kind.

Louisville Metro corrections officials outlined their practices, including pregnancy screening, obstetric care, substance use treatment and postpartum support. They also discussed connecting women with community care after release.

“I appreciate Rep. Callaway carrying this work forward and the medical and corrections professionals helping us understand what care looks like day to day,” Adams said. “Our earlier laws established important protections. Consistent reporting can help us see whether women are receiving that care and where more attention is needed. We owe it to these mothers and their babies to follow through.”

Callaway emphasized that the proposal remains preliminary and open for discussion ahead of Kentucky’s 30-day 2027 Regular Session, which begins Jan. 5

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Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, represents Kentucky’s 36th Senate District in eastern Jefferson County. Adams chairs the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee. She also serves as a member of the Senate Committees on Banking and Insurance, Health Services, and State and Local Government. Adams also serves as a member of the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Sen. Raque Adams, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate136.jpg.

SEN. GEX WILLIAMS RECOGNIZES FRANKLIN COUNTY STUDENTS’ RESULTS IN ELEMENTARY MATH AND HIGH SCHOOL WRITING

October 21, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2026) – Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, issued the following statement recognizing Franklin County Schools’ elementary mathematics and high school combined writing results in Kentucky’s newly released 2025-26 assessments.

“Students need to solve problems using critical analysis and reasoning. Franklin County’s elementary math and high school writing results show us accomplishments we can celebrate.

“I co-sponsored and helped pass legislation that emphasizes high academic expectations and independent thinking because students carry those abilities into every part of their lives. I thank the teachers helping students build those skills and congratulate the students who earned this recognition.

“My colleagues championed stronger reading instruction through Read to Succeed, and I voted for Numeracy Counts to bring that same focus to early math instruction. Kentucky’s reading gains encourage me. As schools put the new math screening and intervention requirements to work this school year, I want us to build on that progress and help more children succeed in essential life skills.”

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BACKGROUND

The Kentucky Department of Education’s 2025-26 assessment results show reading gains across elementary, middle and high school, while mathematics performance remained flat or declined slightly. Full state, district and school results are available through the Kentucky School Report Card.

Franklin County Schools reported 45 percent of elementary students scoring proficient or distinguished in mathematics, compared with 43 percent statewide. At the high school level, 50 percent scored proficient or distinguished in combined writing, compared with 45 percent statewide.

Williams cosponsored Senate Bill 68, which became law in 2025 and addressed academic expectations, critical and independent thinking and other education requirements.

Williams also voted for the 2024 Numeracy Counts Act. The law requires schools to begin its K-3 mathematics screening and intervention cycle in 2026-27, after the school year covered by these assessment results.

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Sen. Gex “Jay” Williams, R-Verona, represents the 20th Senate District, which encompasses Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, and Owen Counties, southern Boone County, and southwestern Kenton County. Williams serves as vice chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and co-chair of the Investments in Information Technology Oversight Statutory Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Education, Families and Children, and Transportation Committees. During the 2025 Interim, he served on the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate120.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Williams.

RAWLINGS, WILLIAMS RECOGNIZE BOONE COUNTY STUDENTS’ RESULTS IN ELEMENTARY MATH AND HIGH SCHOOL WRITING

October 21, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2026) – Sens. Gex Williams, R-Verona, and Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, issued the following joint statement recognizing Boone County Schools’ and Walton-Verona Independent Schools’ elementary mathematics and high school combined writing results in Kentucky’s newly released 2025-26 assessments.

“Students need to solve problems using critical analysis and reasoning. Boone County Schools’ and Walton-Verona Independent Schools’ results in elementary math and high school writing show us accomplishments we can celebrate.

“We helped pass legislation that emphasizes high academic expectations and independent thinking because students carry those abilities into every part of their lives. We thank the teachers who help students build those skills and congratulate the students who earned this recognition.

“The Kentucky General Assembly has championed stronger reading instruction through Read to Succeed. The legislature has also enacted the Numeracy Counts Act to bring that same focus to early math instruction.

“Kentucky’s reading gains encourage us. As schools put the new math screening and intervention requirements to work this school year, we want to build on that progress and help more children succeed in essential life skills.”

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BACKGROUND

The Kentucky Department of Education’s 2025-26 assessment results show reading gains across elementary, middle and high schools, while mathematics performance remained flat or declined slightly. Full state, district and school results are available through the Kentucky School Report Card.

Boone County Schools reported 54 percent of elementary students scoring proficient or distinguished in mathematics, compared with 43 percent statewide. At the high school level, 47 percent scored proficient or distinguished in combined writing, compared with 45 percent statewide.

Walton-Verona Independent Schools reported 53 percent of elementary students scoring proficient or distinguished in mathematics. At the high school level, 66 percent scored proficient or distinguished in combined writing.

Both school districts exceeded statewide proficient/distinguished percentages in reading, mathematics, science, social studies and combined writing at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Rawlings sponsored Senate Bill 68, which became law in 2025, to address academic expectations, critical and independent thinking and other education requirements. Williams co-sponsored the legislation. Rawlings voted for the 2024 Numeracy Counts Act while serving in the state House of Representatives, and Williams voted for the measure in the Senate. The law requires schools to begin its K-3 mathematics screening and intervention cycle in 2026-27, after the school year covered by these assessment results.

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Sen. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, represents the 11th Senate District in northern and central Boone County. He serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education and also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Banking and Insurance; Education; Health Services; Local Government; and State Government. Additionally, he is a member of the Capital Planning Advisory Board and the 2026–2028 Budget Preparation and Submission Statutory Committee.

For a high-resolution .jpeg file of Rawlings, please visit:

https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate111.jpg

Sen. Gex “Jay” Williams, R-Verona, represents the 20th Senate District, which encompasses Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, and Owen Counties, southern Boone County, and southwestern Kenton County. Williams serves as vice chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and co-chair of the Investments in Information Technology Oversight Statutory Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Education, Families and Children, and Transportation Committees. During the 2025 Interim, he served on the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate120.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Williams.

STATEMENT RELEASE WEST, TICHENOR RECOGNIZE READING PROGRESS ENCOURAGE CONTINUED FOCUS ON FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS

October 21, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 19, 2026) — Senate Education Chair Steve West, R-Paris, and Vice Chair Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, issued the following joint statement following the release of Kentucky’s 2025-26 assessment results, which show reading improvement across elementary, middle and high school.

“Learning to read well changes a child’s experience in school. It makes the next assignment less intimidating and opens the door to subjects that might become a lifelong interest. We’re encouraged that more Kentucky students are reaching that point, and we thank the teachers whose persistence makes that progress possible.

“These reading gains follow national recognition earlier this year for Kentucky’s growth in reading and math. They give us further encouragement about the work underway through Read to Succeed, including stronger teacher training and help for children who struggle with reading.

“Our focus on handwriting and cursive instruction reflects that same commitment to foundational skills. Children need to understand what they read, express their thoughts clearly and work through a problem with confidence. Those abilities give them more independence in school and more choices in life.

“Mathematics results show we have more work to do. Rep. James Allen Tipton’s leadership on Numeracy Counts gives schools a stronger approach to identifying difficulties early and responding to each child’s needs. Its new K-3 screening and intervention requirements began this school year, after the testing reflected in this report. We will follow that work closely and keep supporting the teachers and families helping children succeed.”

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BACKGROUND

The Kentucky Department of Education’s 2025-26 assessment results show reading gains across elementary, middle and high school, while mathematics performance remained flat or declined slightly. Full state, district and school results are available through the Kentucky School Report Card.

The percentage of students scoring proficient or distinguished in reading increased to 50 percent at the elementary level, 48 percent at the middle school level and 49 percent at the high school level.

Earlier this year, the Education Scorecard ranked Kentucky fifth among 35 states included in its reading growth comparison and eighth among 38 states included in its mathematics comparison for 2022-25. That analysis covers an earlier period than the newly released state results.

West championed the 2022 Read to Succeed Act. Tichenor sponsored the 2024 law requiring elementary cursive instruction beginning in 2025-26. Tipton sponsored the 2024 Numeracy Counts Act, whose required K-3 mathematics screening and intervention cycle begins in 2026-27.

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Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, represents the 27th Senate District, including Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, and Rowan Counties and part of northern Fayette County. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Education and the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee, which provides statutory oversight of state agency rulemaking. He is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education and also serves on the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. Additionally, he is also a member of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of West, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate127.jpg

Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, represents the 6th Senate District, including Oldham and Trimble Counties and part of Jefferson County. She serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Education; Health Services; Local Government; State Government; and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. She is also a member of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity and the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee. Additionally, she is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate106.jpg for a high-resolution JPEG file of Tichenor.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS RECEIVES 2026 SOAR INSPIRES AWARD

October 8, 2026

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, receives the 2026 SOAR Inspires Award for his continual work to create opportunity, solve challenges, preserve Kentucky's heritage and inspire others through his leadership and service. Presenting the award is Corbin Mayor Suzie Rasmus and SOAR CEO Dr. Reed Adkins.

FRANKFORT, KY (October 8, 2026) – Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, was honored Wednesday with the inaugural Shaping Our Appalachian Region Inspires Appalachian Film and Arts Award during the opening of the 2026 SOAR Summit at the Corbin Arena.

Presented by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the SOAR Inspires Awards recognize Kentuckians whose leadership, service and commitment are helping shape the future of eastern Kentucky. This year’s summit theme, “Celebrating the People Building Eastern Kentucky,” highlights the individuals, businesses, organizations and communities creating opportunities, solving challenges, preserving the region’s heritage and inspiring others.

Stivers was recognized for his leadership in expanding opportunities in Kentucky’s creative economy, including efforts to strengthen the state’s film and television industry and broaden access to the arts across the commonwealth.

The recognition comes shortly after the Motion Picture Association honored Stivers with its 2026 Industry Champion Award for his work supporting Kentucky’s growing film and television industry.

“Senate President Stivers’s support for the arts extends far beyond film,” said Corbin Mayor Suzie Rasmus. “He has championed initiatives like the Louisville Orchestra’s In Harmony program, which brings world-class music to communities across Kentucky, including right here in eastern Kentucky. A mother in Beattyville once told him she could never have afforded to take her children to Louisville to experience the orchestra. Because the orchestra came to them, her children had that opportunity. That story captures what this work is really about — ensuring Kentucky’s arts and cultural opportunities are accessible to everyone, no matter where they live. That is the kind of leadership worth recognizing, and it is why this award is so well deserved.”

Kentucky’s creative economy is creating jobs, attracting investment and providing new opportunities for Kentuckians to tell their stories and build careers close to home.

Investing in the arts can open doors for Kentuckians who might otherwise never have access to those opportunities.

“Whether it is a film production creating new careers, an orchestra performing in a rural community or a young Kentuckian discovering an opportunity they never knew existed, the arts can open doors,” Razmus said in presenting the award. “Senator Stivers has helped expand those opportunities across Kentucky and here in Appalachia.”

In recognition of the lasting impact of Stivers’s work, SOAR also announced that the award will carry his name beginning this year.

The Robert Stivers Appalachian Film and Arts Award will recognize individuals whose work expands opportunity, strengthens Kentucky’s creative economy and ensures the stories and talents of Appalachia have a stage.

“I am truly honored and humbled to have an award named after me,” Stivers said. “Kentucky has an incredible story to tell, and the people of Appalachia have talent, creativity and determination that deserve to be seen and heard. When we invest in the arts and creative industries, we are not only preserving what makes Kentucky special. We are creating new opportunities and strengthening communities for generations to come.”

The 2026 SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission, brings together leaders from across eastern Kentucky to celebrate the people and ideas helping build the region’s future.

For more about the summit, go to the 2026 SOAR Summit.

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WEST RECOGNIZED BY KENTUCKY CHAMBER FOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP LEGISLATION

October 7, 2026

WEST RECOGNIZED BY THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER FOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP LEGISLATION

Award highlights West’s work on SB 4 to strengthen training and support for Kentucky school principals.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2026) — Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, received the 2026 MVP Award from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for his legislative leadership, including his sponsorship of Senate Bill (SB) 4, which establishes a statewide leadership development program for new school principals.

West, chair of the Senate Education Committee, was presented with a commemorative baseball bat as part of the recognition. He was among 15 lawmakers the chamber named legislative MVPs following the 2026 Regular Session.

“A principal’s leadership touches every part of a school, from the support teachers receive to the expectations we set for students,” West said. “Senate Bill 4 gives new principals the training and mentorship they need to lead with confidence. I appreciate the Kentucky Chamber’s recognition and its commitment to this work. By bringing educators and the business community together, we can build on the Chamber Foundation’s investment in school leadership and give more principals access to tools that will benefit their teachers, students and communities.”

SB 4 establishes a statewide principal leadership development practicum beginning with the 2027–28 school year. The Kentucky Department of Education will develop and operate the four-year framework, which provides professional learning and mentorship during the first two years, an intensive leadership program in the third year as funding is available and optional advanced training in the fourth year.

The third-year program will be established in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation and include intensive summer training followed by sessions throughout the school year. The approach builds on the Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals, offered in partnership with the Truist Leadership Institute.

The existing institute focuses on practical leadership skills, including managing change and building strong school cultures. According to the foundation, more than 600 principals representing 112 Kentucky counties have graduated from the program.

SB 4 was a Senate priority measure during the 2026 Regular Session and became law April 14 after the General Assembly overrode the governor’s veto.

The Kentucky Chamber’s annual MVP recognition honors legislators whose work advances its policy priorities, strengthens Kentucky’s business climate and supports economic growth. For more information, visit kychamber.com.

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.

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SEN. ADAMS JOINS FAMILY TO HONOR FALLEN LMPD OFFICER PETER GRIGNON AT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

October 7, 2026

SEN. ADAMS JOINS FAMILY TO HONOR FALLEN LMPD OFFICER PETER GRIGNON AT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

Adams-sponsored designation ensures fallen officer’s service and sacrifice remain part of the community he served

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2026)—Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, joined the family of fallen Louisville Metro Police Officer Peter Grignon on Monday at the newly installed Officer Peter Grignon Memorial Highway sign in Louisville, marking a permanent tribute to an officer who gave his life serving the community.

Adams sponsored the memorial highway designation during the 2026 Regular Session. Senate Joint Resolution 139 designated a portion of U.S. 60A in Jefferson County as the “Officer Peter Grignon Memorial Highway” and directed the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to erect signs recognizing Grignon.

“Peter Grignon answered a calling he had carried with him for much of his life, and he ultimately gave his life protecting others,” Adams said. “More than 20 years have passed since we lost him, but time does not diminish his sacrifice or what his loss meant to his family, his fellow officers and this community. I was honored to stand with his family today and to see his name permanently placed along a roadway in the community he served. My hope is that every person who passes this sign will have an opportunity to see Peter’s name, remember his service and understand that Kentucky has not forgotten him.”

Grignon was 27 years old and had served with LMPD for two years when he was killed in the line of duty on March 23, 2005. He was responding to a call on Accasia Drive involving a vehicle that had driven through a homeowner’s yard. After locating the suspected vehicle burning nearby, Grignon encountered two individuals and was shot. He was transported to University Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in police administration, Grignon had a lifelong ambition to become a police officer. He was assigned to LMPD’s Second Division and had celebrated his first wedding anniversary only days before his death.

His loss also helped spur the establishment of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation, which has continued supporting LMPD officers and their families through equipment, training and support programs.

The Officer Peter Grignon Memorial Highway designation covers U.S. 60A in Jefferson County from its intersection with Kentucky Route 61 to its intersection with Kentucky Route 864.

“Road signs cannot repay a family for the person they lost, and they cannot fully capture the life behind the name,” Adams said. “But they can make sure we remember. Peter’s name will now remain visible in Louisville for generations to come, and so will the reminder that behind that name was a husband, a son, a brother and a police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS CELEBRATES SPEED KENTUCKY RIBBON-CUTTING, HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN OWSLEY COUNTY

October 2, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 2, 2026) — Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, joined local, state and regional leaders Friday to celebrate Speed Kentucky’s new Eastern U.S. assembly and distribution operation, a $1.47 million investment expected to create 60 full-time jobs in Owsley County.

The ceremony at the Owsley County Industrial Park celebrated what state economic development officials describe as the county’s largest investment and job-creation announcement on record. The Booneville operation will handle final assembly and distribution of Speed UTV vehicles, establishing the company’s first major operational footprint outside its existing U.S. facility in Anaheim, California.

“When I think about these 60 planned jobs, I think about the families who could build a life around them,” Stivers said. “People want to make a living without having to leave the place they call home. We secured $500,000 for upgrades to the industrial building with opportunities like this in mind. I look forward to seeing people in Owsley County go to work here.”

Stivers secured the $500,000 in the 2026 Regular Session for upgrades to the Booneville Industrial Building through House Bill 900. Section 137 appropriates the funding for fiscal year 2026-27 from the state’s Budget Reserve Trust Fund and directs it through the Department for Local Government to the Owsley County Fiscal Court for building improvements.

The project follows more than 25 years of work to recruit a business to the industrial park, according to Darrin Gay, chair of the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority. Backroads of Appalachia, a nonprofit focused on motorsports tourism, also helped attract Speed Kentucky to the region.

Speed Kentucky’s planned operation will serve as an Eastern U.S. hub for the company, expanding its assembly and distribution capacity. Company co-founders Robby Gordon, an internationally recognized motorsports champion and entrepreneur, and Jimmy Lewis joined community leaders for Friday’s celebration.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved a 15-year agreement providing up to $1.3 million in performance-based tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The authority also approved up to $30,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act.

“Robby and Jimmy, thank you for choosing Owsley County,” Stivers said. “I also want to thank Erik Hubbard and Backroads of Appalachia, our local officials and the people who have worked for years to bring a business to this park. Owsley County has waited a long time for a day like this. I’m glad I could be here to share it with them.”

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MADON RECOGNIZED BY KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES WITH 2026 FRIEND OF KENTUCKY CITIES AWARD

August 6, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Sen. Scott Madon, R-Pineville, has been recognized by the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) with its 2026 Friend of Kentucky Cities Award in recognition of his leadership and support for Kentucky's cities during the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

Madon received the award from KLC Director of Government Affairs Gracie Kelly, Pineville Mayor Shawn Fugate, and Pineville City Clerk and Treasurer Samantha Bishop.

The Friend of Kentucky Cities Award recognizes legislators who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on issues affecting municipalities and have worked to strengthen local governments across the commonwealth.

During the 2026 legislative session, Madon sponsored Senate Bill 20, which gives cities greater flexibility in designing training incentive programs for city officials. The legislation removed statutory minimum and maximum base incentive amounts, allowing each city to establish incentive levels by local ordinance based on its own needs and priorities.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from the Kentucky League of Cities," Madon said. "Strong communities begin with strong local leadership, and I believe decisions are best made by the people who know their communities best. Senate Bill 20 was about giving cities the flexibility to develop policies that work for them, and I appreciate KLC's

partnership in advancing legislation that supports local government and the citizens they serve."

KLC Executive Director and CEO J.D. Chaney praised Madon's leadership during the legislative session.

"Senator Madon demonstrated a strong commitment to Kentucky cities by championing legislation that supports professional development for cities while preserving local decision-making," Chaney said. "His leadership on Senate Bill 20 helped advance practical solutions that strengthen cities across the commonwealth."

Kelly also highlighted the impact of the legislation.

"Senator Madon understands that local officials are best positioned to make decisions that meet the needs of their communities," Kelly said. "His leadership on SB 20 reflects his commitment to giving cities the tools and flexibility they need to serve their residents effectively."

The Kentucky League of Cities is a nonprofit membership association representing and advocating for cities throughout the commonwealth by providing legislative advocacy, education, training, and other resources that strengthen local government.

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Sen. Scott Madon, R-Pineville, represents the 29th Senate District, which includes Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, and Letcher Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Protection. He also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Local Government; Natural Resources and Energy; State Government; and Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology. In addition, he is a member of the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee.

For a high resolution .jpeg of Madon, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate129.jpg

SEN. MEREDITH NAMED 2026 LEGISLATIVE HERO BY KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

August 6, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 4, 2026) —Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, has been recognized by the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) with its 2026 Legislative Hero Award in recognition of his leadership on health care policy and longstanding support of Kentucky's hospitals. Meredith received the award during a ceremony held July 31 at Breckinridge County Health in Hardinsburg.

The KHA Legislative Hero Award recognizes members of the Kentucky General Assembly who have demonstrated exemplary service to the Commonwealth's hospitals and the patients they serve. A former hospital chief executive officer, Meredith has spent both his professional career and legislative service advocating for policies that strengthen Kentucky's health care system, support the health care workforce, and expand access to quality care. He has been a consistent champion for rural hospitals, recognizing the critical role they play in providing lifesaving care, supporting local economies, and ensuring Kentuckians can receive high-quality care close to home.

As chair of the Senate Health Services Committee, Meredith has led efforts to address some of Kentucky's most pressing health care challenges. During the 2026 legislative session, he sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 137, creating a provisional medical license pathway for qualified internationally trained physicians to help address physician shortages, particularly in medically underserved areas.

Meredith also sponsored SB 12, legislation that proposed allowing Level IV verified trauma centers to use physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses, under physician supervision, to help provide emergency department coverage. The measure was intended to support rural hospitals seeking trauma center designation and strengthen access to emergency care in communities facing ongoing workforce challenges.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from the Kentucky Hospital Association," Meredith said. "Throughout my time in the General Assembly, I have remained committed to strengthening Kentucky's health care system by supporting our hospitals, expanding access to care, and ensuring patients, especially those in rural communities, receive the quality care they deserve. I am grateful to the Kentucky Hospital Association for this recognition and look forward to continuing that work."

Founded in 1929, the Kentucky Hospital Association represents 128 hospitals and related health care organizations across the Commonwealth. The association advocates for policies that strengthen Kentucky's health care system and supports hospitals in their mission to provide high-quality care to patients across the state. For more information, visit kyha.com.

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Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, represents the 5th Senate District, which includes Breckinridge, Butler, Grayson, Ohio, and Meade Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services and also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Education; Families and Children; and Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations. He was recently appointed to the Medical Oversight and Advisory Board for the Interim. Additionally, he is a member of the Government Contract Review Committee.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Meredith, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate105.jpg.

OPINION: KENTUCKY CAN LEAD ON DATA CENTERS WITHOUT LEAVING COMMUNITIES BEHIND

August 3, 2026

Mention data centers and you're likely concerned about increasing electric bills, water consumption, noise, and whether these facilities truly benefit the communities where they're built.

Those are legitimate questions and the same ones I would ask if a major project were proposed in my community. Kentuckians deserve honest answers whenever a significant economic development opportunity comes to their hometown.

The good news is that today's data centers, and Kentucky's approach to attracting them, look very different from the dramatic, worst-case scenarios often highlighted in the national press.

The concern I hear most often is, will local families and businesses end up paying for the infrastructure needed to support these facilities?

The answer should always be no. Kentucky supports a full-cost allocation approach, sometimes referred to as a tariff. If a developer requires new transmission lines, substations or additional generating capacity to serve its facility, those costs should be paid by the developer, not existing ratepayers.

Private investment should not become a public expense. If a company benefits from a project, it should pay the costs associated with bringing that project online, not families and small businesses. If a company creates the demand, the company should pay the bill.

Another common concern is water usage. Many people envision enormous amounts of water being consumed every day. Modern facilities, however, increasingly rely on closed-loop cooling systems that are filled initially and then reused. Water is only replenished periodically, often every several months, and can be scheduled during off-peak demand periods. That is a very different picture from the one many people imagine.

Noise is another issue frequently raised. It's important not to confuse artificial intelligence data centers with cryptocurrency mining operations. They are fundamentally different. Modern data centers operate quietly, often generating less noise than the rooftop heating and cooling equipment found on a grocery store or commercial building. They are designed as modern, well-maintained facilities that fit comfortably within industrial and commercial settings.

None of this means every proposed project is appropriate for every location. Local officials and residents should continue asking questions, demanding transparency, and making sure any project is a good fit before the first shovel touches the dirt.

Recently, the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission released a report showing Kentucky is well-positioned to compete for investments while protecting existing ratepayers and maintaining a reliable electric grid.

The economic impact begins long before the facility opens. Construction alone creates hundreds of skilled jobs over multiple years, generating work for Kentucky contractors, electricians, equipment operators, suppliers, restaurants, hotels and countless local businesses that support those workers.

A typical large-scale data center creates more than 100 permanent, well-paying jobs, many with salaries exceeding $100,000 annually. Beyond engineers and technical professionals, these facilities require highly trained, around-the-clock security personnel, creating excellent second-career opportunities for veterans and retired law enforcement officers.

Then there is the long-term benefit to local governments. Once operational, these facilities significantly increase local property tax revenues. In communities across the country, school districts have seen property tax receipts increase by 25 to 40 percent following major data center investments. Those revenues don't just support education. They strengthen funding for fire departments, libraries, health departments, soil conservation districts, and city and county governments, all without raising a single local tax rate.

We don't have to choose between protecting our communities and creating jobs. Good policy does both. That's the standard Kentuckians should expect, and it's the standard we should demand.

Economic development should never come at the expense of the people who already live here. That's why Kentucky's approach matters. When developers pay the full cost of the required infrastructure, modern technology minimizes environmental impacts, and communities receive lasting economic benefits. We can welcome investment without asking residents to shoulder the burden.

That isn't choosing between economic growth and protecting communities. It's proving Kentucky can and should do both. If done right, communities will see a massive economic windfall.

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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees and additional resources, including legislation enacted during the recently concluded 2026 Legislative Session.

Lawmakers return to Frankfort in June to start the 2026 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 30-day session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.

LAWMAKERS HONOR FOUR KENTUCKY VETERANS, HEROES SHARE STORIES OF SERVICE

July 21, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 21, 2026) — John Ross still carries the draft card that sent him into the Army more than seven decades ago. Former Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain still remembers the Marine who gave his life to save his in Vietnam. Retired Col. Kenneth Dale flew more than 200 combat sorties. Navy veteran Kevin Bratcher maintained patrol aircraft during overseas deployments.

Their stories were the central focus Monday as the Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection honored four Kentuckians whose military service continues to shape their lives and communities long after they returned home.

The committee recognized Ross, a Korean War Army veteran; Cain, a Marine Corps and Vietnam War veteran; Dale, a retired Air Force and Kentucky National Guard colonel; and Bratcher, a Navy veteran.

Committee Co-Chair Sen. Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, whose district includes Fort Knox, joined committee members in recognizing and thanking the four men for their military and public service.

"One of the most important things this committee can do is give veterans an opportunity to tell their own stories,” Deneen said.

John Ross

Ross, a 95-year-old Daviess County resident, entered the Army through the draft during the Korean War.

He trained at Fort Knox and later made Kentucky his home after marrying a local woman. He still carries the original draft card that changed the course of his life.

Ross also recently traveled to Washington with Bluegrass Honor Flight, where he was accompanied by Sen. Gary Boswell, R-Owensboro, as his guardian.

“I never dreamed of anything like this,” Ross told lawmakers after receiving his citation. “It’s an experience of my lifetime.”

Bluegrass Honor Flight is part of Honor Flight Kentucky, a nonprofit organization that provides World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans a trip to Washington at no cost to visit the memorials built in their honor.

The VMAPP Committee regularly provides Kentucky veterans and organizations with a platform to share their experiences and missions.

Few accounts have carried more weight than Cain’s.

Keith Cain
Cain entered the Marine Corps at 17 after leaving high school and, by his own admission, heading down the “wrong path.”

“I would like to tell you that I did that out of a very strong sense of patriotic duty, but that would not be true,” Cain said. “I was on a bad road that didn’t have a real good end.”

His father later told others that Cain had two saving graces: Jesus Christ and the U.S. Marine Corps.

“He was absolutely right,” Cain said.

At 18, Cain found himself serving in South Vietnam. He spent 13 months there and said the experience forced him to grow up quickly.

The Marines taught him duty, sacrifice, leadership and brotherhood. More than anything, Cain learned what service members mean to one another in combat.

“The primary reason you fight is for the person that’s next to you,” Cain said. “We fought for each other.”

He recalled the comfort of knowing the Marines beside him would risk their lives for him, just as he would for them.

“The reality is, folks, as I’m here with you today, a young man did that for me,” Cain said. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”

Cain carried the lessons of military service into a 48-year law enforcement career, including service as Daviess County sheriff. He is also a member of the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame.

He urged Kentuckians to remember those who never returned and to recognize the debt the nation owes its veterans.

“That is a debt that we can never adequately repay, but we should endeavor to do so each and every day,” Cain said.

“It has been a privilege to know both of these men and to help share their stories,” said Boswell. “John Ross and Keith Cain have spent decades serving Daviess County in different ways, but they are united by the values they carried home from military service. Those are the kinds of veterans every Kentucky community is grateful to have.”

Col. Kenneth Dale

Dale served 38 years in the U.S. Air Force and Kentucky National Guard.

His career included deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations. He flew more than 200 combat sorties and received the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit.

After retiring from the military, Dale continued serving the commonwealth as a Kentucky State Police pilot.

Dale also used his recognition to thank lawmakers for policies that help Kentucky recruit and retain National Guard members, including military tax provisions, tuition assistance and educational benefits.

He said those policies once drew Guard members from Indiana and Ohio across state lines and even prompted service members to transfer from California to Kentucky.

“Our legislature is for us, and they’re doing a great job of it,” Dale said.

As military roles become more technical, Dale encouraged lawmakers to continue supporting educational opportunities beyond undergraduate degrees.

“Let them get their doctorates,” he said. “Let them get their master’s. Keep that college tuition going and make our jobs as commanders easier.”

Kevin Bratcher

Bratcher served five years in the U.S. Navy as a petty officer second class with Patrol Squadron VP-22 at Naval Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii. Bratcher also served as a member of the state House of Representatives.

He maintained P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, completed multiple overseas deployments and participated in Operation Earnest Will, the U.S. mission to protect commercial shipping during conflict in the Persian Gulf.

Bratcher said his five years in the Navy remain one of the defining experiences of his life.

“I wish every young man or woman could just spend some time in the military,” Bratcher said. “It really turned my life around when I was a young man.”

He said the Navy taught him discipline, attention to detail and responsibility. It also helped him continue his education and gave him friendships that have endured for decades.

“I learned that being on time means being 10 minutes early, not a half-hour late,” Bratcher said.

"Every one of these men served in a different era and under different circumstances, but each reminds us that service to our country continues long after military duty ends," Deneen said of the testimony.

Their stories deserve to be preserved and passed on to the next generation, he said.

Preserving Kentucky’s military legacy

The veterans’ stories provided a fitting introduction to the committee discussion that followed.

Representatives of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) highlighted the Kentucky Military History Museum, its exhibits and a collection estimated at 8,000 to 10,000 military-related artifacts.

The museum operates through a partnership between the KHS and the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs. Its collection documents Kentucky service members, military units and conflicts from the nation’s founding through the present day.

The committee heard about the Battle of Blue Licks, which is widely regarded as the final battle of the American Revolution in August 1782. An estimated 76 Kentuckians died in the battle, including Col. John Todd, Lt. Col. Stephen Trigg and Israel Boone, the son of Daniel Boone. Although the defeat did not change the war’s outcome, historians said it exposed the difficulty of defending Kentucky’s frontier settlements under Virginia’s government and strengthened the region’s case for statehood.

The presentation came as the KHS continues its work surrounding America250KY, the commonwealth’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The initiative includes educational programs, heritage tourism, public events and preservation projects designed to help Kentuckians better understand the commonwealth’s place in the nation’s history.

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said he recalled participating in a museum tour while serving on Kentucky’s War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and described the experience as an “outstanding privilege.”

Archived footage and meeting materials are available by visiting the Legislative Research Commission YouTube Channel and website.

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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday, June 3, to start the 2026 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, January 5.

The full 2026 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas is available here.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ON GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS EXCEEDING BUDGET ESTIMATES

July 14, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky (July 13, 2026) — The following is a statement from Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, regarding the Office of the State Budget Director’s final fiscal year 2026 revenue report, which shows Kentucky’s general fund revenues exceeded revised revenue projections while posting year-over-year growth.

"Kentucky's fiscal year-end report confirms what we've said all along: responsible budgeting, conservative tax policy and disciplined fiscal management are producing real results. Despite repeated claims that lowering the income tax would undermine our financial stability, Kentucky finished the year with revenues exceeding expectations, a balanced budget, historically strong reserves and taxpayers keeping more of what they earn.

“Good public policy should be judged by tangible outcomes, not sensational rhetoric or headlines. These results demonstrate that we don't have to choose between fiscal responsibility and economic growth. By maintaining spending discipline while allowing Kentuckians to keep more of their hard-earned money, we've built a stronger economy and a stronger commonwealth. We'll continue taking the long view because our responsibility is not simply to balance the next budget, but to leave Kentucky in a stronger position for the next generation.

“We accomplish that by remaining committed to policies that have consistently delivered results, even in the face of persistent, public criticism. It is particularly telling that some of the same voices who spent years opposing these reforms remain the first to claim credit for the success they originally insisted would never materialize.

“In the 2026 Legislative Session, the General Assembly had a constitutional obligation to write a responsible budget.. While many lawmakers never subscribed to the pessimism echoing from the executive branch when considering the great responsibility of budgeting and balancing precious taxpayer dollars, prudence isn't optional. It's an imperative. That is why lawmakers took a conservative approach.

"If it was not already proven multiple times over, tax relief for families is not jeopardizing our state’s finances as those who have opposed it would have them believe.

“Friday’s report should give Kentucky families confidence in their commonwealth’s future. We will continue to budget responsibly, protect taxpayers and make decisions based on fact and reason, not fear and political messaging. That approach has served the Bluegrass well, and it will continue guiding the Kentucky General Assembly.”

For the full release from Kentucky’s Office for Economic Analysis, go to the administration’s website here.

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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources, including legislation enacted during the 2026 Legislative Session.

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort in June to start the 2026 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 30-day session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.

Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, represents the 25th Senate District, including Clay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, and Whitley Counties. Stivers has served as Kentucky Senate president for over a decade. He first assumed the position in 2013, succeeding former Senate President David Williams. As the Senate President, he is co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission. Stivers is also a member of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of President Stivers, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate125.jpg/

LAWMAKERS SEEK ANSWERS AFTER BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION DECLINES TO TESTIFY

July 9, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 9, 2026) — Members of the Government Contract Review Committee on Wednesday pressed the Beshear administration for answers about the employment contract of former Kentucky Venues President and CEO David Beck after officials from the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Kentucky State Fair Board declined the committee's request to testify.

Lawmakers added the item to the agenda after receiving conflicting information about Beck's departure and the administration's handling of his contract. They invited representatives from both agencies to explain the situation, but none appeared before the committee.

Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield, questioned the administration's decision not to participate.

"We're completely at a loss as to what's going on," he said. "We need some answers. We deserve some answers, and we're not getting any.

Meredith said the controversy has drawn widespread public attention and involves one of Kentucky's largest public institutions just weeks before the Kentucky State Fair opens. He also noted that the governor reconstituted the State Fair Board at a time when the Kentucky Supreme Court decision Beshear cited is not final and could still be subject to a motion to reconsider.

Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, said his primary concern centered on the administration's refusal to appear before a committee created by statute to provide legislative oversight.

"We're a statutorily established oversight committee," Hart said. "I've served under two governors, and I've never seen an administration refuse to come before this committee to explain a contract."

Hart moved to defer the agenda item until the committee's next meeting, saying the purpose was to give the administration another opportunity to answer lawmakers' questions.

"They could have come before us today and explained," Hart said. "Instead, they ignored us. This committee was established by statute. They don't have the right to simply ignore the legislature because they don't want to come talk to us."

Hart added that the committee would not have needed to revisit the matter in August had administration officials accepted Wednesday's invitation to testify.

The committee voted to defer the item until its August 11 meeting.

BACKGROUND

Wednesday's discussion followed last week's leadership changes at Kentucky Venues after Gov. Andy Beshear reconstituted the Kentucky State Fair Board following the Kentucky Supreme Court's decision in Beshear v. Coleman.

Initial reports indicated the newly constituted board removed Beck during a special meeting. Beck later told WDRB News that the governor summoned him to Frankfort before the meeting, told him he could either resign or be removed, and informed him his employment contract was no longer valid. Those public statements raised additional questions about the sequence of events surrounding his departure and prompted lawmakers to seek testimony from the administration.

Beck became president and CEO of Kentucky Venues in April 2018 after the State Fair Board selected him through a nationwide search and unanimously approved his hiring. That was more than three years before the General Assembly enacted House Bill 518 in 2021, the law at the center of the recent Kentucky Supreme Court case involving the composition and appointment authority of the State Fair Board. Beshear cited that ruling when he reconstituted the board.

Lawmakers have also questioned how the court's decision relates to Beck's employment, which predates House Bill 518 and originated under a different State Fair Board. They further questioned whether Beck's separation complied with KRS 247.130, the statute governing the employment of the State Fair Board's president and CEO, including provisions related to removal from the position.

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OPINION: EASTERN KENTUCKY IS SHOWING THE COUNTRY WHAT RURAL RENEWAL ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

July 8, 2026

OPINION:

EASTERN KENTUCKY IS SHOWING THE COUNTRY WHAT RURAL RENEWAL ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

By Robert Stivers and Heidi Heitkamp

For years, too much of the national conversation about rural America has focused on what has been lost. Factories closed. Coal jobs disappeared. Young people moved away.

As two leaders from different parts of rural America, one a former Democratic U.S. Senator from North Dakota, the other a Republican and President of the Kentucky State Senate, we know these challenges are real. But after spending two days traveling through communities across Eastern Kentucky with the Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, we came away convinced the country is still missing the bigger story. The commission, a bipartisan body examining policy solutions to rural economic decline, visited the region as part of a national series of field hearings on what is and isn't working in rural communities.

From Manchester using its heritage and swinging bridges to attract tourists, to downtown Hazard where artists and entrepreneurs are writing a new chapter for a town long defined by coal, Eastern Kentucky stands as an example of how rural America is not standing still.

Over two days, the commission heard from local leaders in housing, higher education, health care, and philanthropy, as well as job creators, local officials and nonprofit organizations. Despite differing perspectives, several key themes surfaced repeatedly: retaining talent, driving targeted economic investment, and confronting the substance use crisis to save lives and help people heal are key to changing the Eastern Kentucky landscape.

While these priorities may look like separate policy buckets, the strongest consensus centered on people, and the recognition that economic renewal is fundamentally tied to taking care of the residents who power these communities.

We see this reality playing out vividly across numerous counties, including Clay, Leslie, Harlan and Breathitt, among others, where outmigration has historically taken a toll as coal jobs vanished. For too long, a negative national narrative, the rise in substance use, and a lack of diversified employers left the region vulnerable.

Rather than accept decline, local leaders are intentionally mobilizing resources to reverse these dynamics through innovative nonprofit organizations. One example, is 1 Clay County (1CC), a nonprofit whose vision is to transform downtown Manchester into a hub of commerce, tourism and community life.

Moving a region forward requires a strategy that pairs infrastructure investment with a deep commitment to the health and safety of its people. On the economic side, this means securing millions of dollars in state funding, but the leaders at 1CC will also tell you that fixing utility lines and buildings only gets you halfway there, you also have to invest in the people who will actually sustain it. In Eastern Kentucky, addressing substance use disorder is a critical pillar of workforce development. By confronting the trauma and intergenerational challenges of addiction head-on, communities can heal families while actively restoring and retaining their workforce.

Rural communities are not failing because of a lack of effort, but because systems built in Washington, D.C. fail to fit rural realities. True renewal happens when policymakers appropriate the necessary resources but remain hands-off enough to trust local leaders to design and execute the projects that fit their unique needs.

Eastern Kentucky is proving something important to the rest of the country: renewal is possible when communities have the leadership, institutional support, and flexibility to shape their own future.

It is a lesson the Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity intends to carry to policymakers in the nation’s capital and beyond.

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Heidi Heitkamp represented North Dakota in the U.S. Senate and serves as co-chair of the Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity.

Robert Stivers is President of the Kentucky State Senate and accompanied the commission on their visit.

JUDICIAL BRANCH REORGANIZATION SHIFTS RESOURCES TO FRONTLINE SERVICES, PRESERVES SPECIALTY COURTS

July 7, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 7, 2026) — Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) told lawmakers recently that Kentucky's judicial branch is implementing a statewide reorganization. The plan is to reduce administrative overhead, strengthen frontline services and preserve core court operations under the budget enacted earlier this year.

Appearing before the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary, co-chaired by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer on July 1, AOC officials described a restructuring proposal that shifts resources away from bureaucratic central-office positions and toward direct services, while generating an estimated $3 million in general fund savings. Officials emphasized that the goal is to improve operations without affecting core court functions or other important services offered.

"Our focus had to be where we have some discretion around these programs, but also where we could achieve meaningful savings," AOC Director Zach Ramsey told the committee. He said the reorganization will "enhance our frontline services within those programs and create other efficiencies that we think are actually going to make these programs operate more efficiently in the future."

According to AOC, the reorganization reduces leadership positions within the Office of Statewide Programs from 12 percent of the workforce to 6 percent, while increasing frontline support positions from 4 percent to 6 percent and frontline operational positions from 84 percent to 88 percent. The restructuring eliminates 170 positions, primarily middle-management roles, but creates 109 new positions to support a regional service delivery model and strengthen frontline operations. It has already resulted in 110 employees being offered or accepting new positions.

Committee members also revisited concerns raised earlier this year about specialty courts.

During the 2026 Legislative Session discussion of House Bill (HB) 504, Kentucky's judicial branch expressed concern about specialty courts and argued they faced elimination and that "significant layoffs" would be necessary under the enacted budget.

During the meeting, AOC officials reported that specialty court programs are continuing to operate.

Officials testified that state-funded treatment court contracts have been eliminated, but treatment services themselves are continuing through Medicaid and other existing healthcare resources. They said the agency is also working with community mental health centers and other partners to identify additional support for participants who may not qualify for Medicaid.

Drug testing also will continue, with AOC working alongside judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys to reduce costs while maintaining nationally recognized best practices and protecting public safety.

The committee also heard details of additional operational improvements affecting Family and Juvenile Services and Pretrial Services.

Officials testified that AOC will establish dedicated second-and third-shift court-designated worker positions to provide more consistent overnight and weekend coverage, reduce burdensome on-call schedules, and improve responsiveness to judges and court partners. The agency also plans to cross-train pretrial staff to provide judges with more complete and consistent information when making bail determinations.

When asked whether the previous anticipated outcome had been less significant than initially anticipated, Ramsey said, "It's not significant. We don't anticipate that it will be."

Likewise, when committee members asked if any specialty courts had been eliminated, officials responded that "the programs were not eliminated," explaining that staffing had been reduced in some areas and treatment contracts restructured while services continue.

HB 504 increased overall funding for the judicial branch while directing that constitutional court functions be prioritized. Legislative budget documents also noted that the budget does not mandate layoffs or the elimination of specialty courts, leaving operational decisions to the judicial branch to prioritize and improve efficiency to best support its constitutional responsibilities and functions.

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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources, including legislation enacted during the 2026 Legislative Session.

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort in June to start the 2026 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 30-day session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

WILLIAMS, FISTER CELEBRATE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FRANKFORT'S SINGING BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

July 7, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 7, 2026) — Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, and Rep. Dan Fister, R-Versailles, are celebrating the announcement of a $24 million federal grant to support the replacement of Frankfort's historic Singing Bridge. The funds are another major step toward replacing one of Frankfort's most recognizable landmarks and restoring an important connection between downtown, South Frankfort and Kentucky's Capitol.

Congressman James Comer announced recently that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $24 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant for the project. In a Monday news release, Comer said the project will improve a key transportation corridor, enhance safety and reliability, and preserve an important connection for residents, local businesses and the many visitors who travel to Frankfort.

“I appreciate the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthening America’s infrastructure, and I will continue working with our local leaders to advance projects that improve our communities,” said Comer.

"The Singing Bridge has always been more than a bridge to the people of Frankfort," Williams said. "It's part of the city's identity and an important route for residents, state employees and visitors alike. We're grateful to Congressman Comer and our federal partners for helping secure this funding. The General Assembly showed its commitment by making this project a priority in the state budget, and today's announcement brings us another step closer to seeing construction begin."

Earlier this year, the Kentucky General Assembly approved more than $12.1 million in funding under House Bill 502 for right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and other work needed to prepare for construction. Williams and Fister championed the funding as part of the 2026 Legislative Session.

The Singing Bridge has been closed since 2024, forcing motorists onto the Capital Avenue Bridge, also known as the War Mother’s Memorial Bridge, or longer routes around the Capitol campus. Replacing it will restore a direct connection between downtown and south Frankfort while providing a modern crossing for motorists and pedestrians, improving safety and supporting local businesses for decades to come.

"The closure of the Singing Bridge has affected commuters, businesses, state employees and visitors alike," said Fister. "Replacing it with a safe, modern structure will restore an important link and preserve the role this crossing has played in this community for generations. I appreciate Congressman Comer's leadership and persistence in advocating for this project and working with federal, state and local partners to make it a reality. This investment will strengthen our infrastructure, improve public safety and support Franklin County for decades to come."

Williams said the project reflects the importance of collaboration among local, state and federal partners.

"No single person gets a project like this across the finish line," he said. "It takes local officials, state lawmakers, our congressional delegation and transportation partners all pulling in the same direction. I'm thankful for everyone who stayed committed to this project. I know the people of Frankfort will be thrilled to see final construction and the official reopening of this historic bridge.”

The newly announced federal funding provides significant additional support for this critical infrastructure project and complements the state's earlier investment, helping ensure the resources are in place to move the project forward.

For more details, please visit the project's profile page on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5 website.

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Sen. Gex “jay” Williams, R-Verona, represents the 20th Senate District, including Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, and Owen Counties, southern Boone County, and southwestern Kenton County. Williams is co-chair of the Investments in Information Technology Oversight Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Transportation; Education; Families and Children and Natural Resources and Energy.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate120.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Williams.

SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS RECOGNIZED AS 2026 KENTUCKY CHAMBER MVP

June 24, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 3, 2026) — Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, has been recognized by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as an MVP of the 2026 General Assembly for her leadership advancing legislation aimed at expanding childcare access, supporting working families and strengthening Kentucky’s workforce.

The Kentucky Chamber specifically recognized Adams for carrying House Bill 6 and House Joint Resolution 50 on the Senate floor and helping lead passage of what the chamber described as a landmark childcare package. The measures reduce barriers to opening and operating childcare centers, strengthen accountability, expand options for working families and support Kentucky’s childcare workforce.

“Access to quality childcare affects nearly every aspect of our economy,” Adams said. “When parents can find reliable care for their children, they are better able to participate in the workforce, support their families and contribute to their communities. I’m honored to receive this recognition and am proud of the bipartisan work that helped move these important reforms forward.”

The Kentucky Chamber identified childcare as one of its top priorities entering the 2026 legislative session, citing workforce participation and economic competitiveness as key concerns for employers across the commonwealth.

Throughout the session, Adams continued her work on issues affecting Kentucky families, children and workforce participation. As chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations, she helped advance legislation addressing workforce needs while continuing her advocacy for policies that support working parents and strengthen opportunities for Kentucky families.

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts praised Adams and other award recipients for helping advance policies that support economic growth and opportunity.

“Throughout the 2026 legislative session, these lawmakers demonstrated leadership in advancing policies that strengthen the commonwealth,” Watts said. “The Kentucky Chamber applauds their work to ensure businesses can grow, communities can thrive and more Kentuckians have the opportunity to succeed.”

The Kentucky Chamber annually recognizes legislators whose work helped advance the organization’s policy priorities and improve Kentucky’s business climate.

Read the full press release from the Kentucky Chamber HERE.

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.

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Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, represents Kentucky’s 36th Senate District in eastern Jefferson County. Adams chairs the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee. She also serves as a member of the Senate Committees on Banking and Insurance, Health Services, and State and Local Government. Adams also serves as a member of the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Sen. Raque Adams, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate136.jpg.

STATEMENT RELEASE

June 22, 2026

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 4, 2026) — On Thursday, President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Department of Energy announced a federal initiative providing hundreds of millions in funding to support coal-fired power generation and coal export infrastructure across America, including projects in Kentucky. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, issued the following statement regarding the announcement:

"Kentucky's economy depends on affordable and reliable energy. That's why the General Assembly has worked to protect critical baseload generation, support a long-term strategy through the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission and position ourselves to meet growing energy demands without sacrificing reliability.

"Coal remains a vital part of Kentucky's energy portfolio and supports thousands of jobs across our commonwealth. We welcome efforts to recognize and support coal's continued role in maintaining energy reliability and meeting growing energy needs.

"Kentucky will continue advocating for an all-of-the-above energy strategy prioritizing reliability, affordability and energy security."

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BACKGROUND

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, projects in Kentucky are selected for funding to support the modernization and long-term operation of existing coal-fired generation assets.

The federal initiative includes up to $425 million for projects supporting America's coal fleet and up to $75 million for development of the West Gateway Terminal Project in California, which would expand U.S. coal export capacity to allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region. The administration says the projects are intended to strengthen domestic coal supply chains, support reliable baseload generation and bolster America's energy security.

Additional information on the announcement is available through the U.S. Department of Energy. Find a list of projects at this link.

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Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, represents the 25th Senate District, including Clay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, and Whitley Counties. Stivers has served as Kentucky Senate president for over a decade. He first assumed the position in 2013, succeeding former Senate President David Williams. As the Senate President, he is co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission. Stivers is also a member of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of President Stivers, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate125.jpg/

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees and additional resources, including legislation enacted during the recently concluded 2026 Legislative Session.

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort in June to start the 2026 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 30-day session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.

Press Releases

HB 1 GAINS MOMENTUM AS 17 ORGANIZATIONS PREPARE TO OFFER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

ADAMS’ EARLIER REFORMS PROVIDE FOUNDATION FOR CALLAWAY PROPOSAL ON INCARCERATED MATERNAL CARE

SEN. GEX WILLIAMS RECOGNIZES FRANKLIN COUNTY STUDENTS’ RESULTS IN ELEMENTARY MATH AND HIGH SCHOOL WRITING

RAWLINGS, WILLIAMS RECOGNIZE BOONE COUNTY STUDENTS’ RESULTS IN ELEMENTARY MATH AND HIGH SCHOOL WRITING

STATEMENT RELEASE WEST, TICHENOR RECOGNIZE READING PROGRESS ENCOURAGE CONTINUED FOCUS ON FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS RECEIVES 2026 SOAR INSPIRES AWARD

WEST RECOGNIZED BY KENTUCKY CHAMBER FOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP LEGISLATION

SEN. ADAMS JOINS FAMILY TO HONOR FALLEN LMPD OFFICER PETER GRIGNON AT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

SEN. ADAMS JOINS FAMILY TO HONOR FALLEN LMPD OFFICER PETER GRIGNON AT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS CELEBRATES SPEED KENTUCKY RIBBON-CUTTING, HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN OWSLEY COUNTY

MADON RECOGNIZED BY KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES WITH 2026 FRIEND OF KENTUCKY CITIES AWARD

SEN. MEREDITH NAMED 2026 LEGISLATIVE HERO BY KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

OPINION: KENTUCKY CAN LEAD ON DATA CENTERS WITHOUT LEAVING COMMUNITIES BEHIND

LAWMAKERS HONOR FOUR KENTUCKY VETERANS, HEROES SHARE STORIES OF SERVICE

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ON GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS EXCEEDING BUDGET ESTIMATES

LAWMAKERS SEEK ANSWERS AFTER BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION DECLINES TO TESTIFY

OPINION: EASTERN KENTUCKY IS SHOWING THE COUNTRY WHAT RURAL RENEWAL ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

OPINION:

EASTERN KENTUCKY IS SHOWING THE COUNTRY WHAT RURAL RENEWAL ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

JUDICIAL BRANCH REORGANIZATION SHIFTS RESOURCES TO FRONTLINE SERVICES, PRESERVES SPECIALTY COURTS

WILLIAMS, FISTER CELEBRATE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FRANKFORT'S SINGING BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS RECOGNIZED AS 2026 KENTUCKY CHAMBER MVP

STATEMENT RELEASE

Kentucky Senate Republican Majority Caucus, 700 Capital Avenue Frankfort, Ky 40601