STATEMENT RELEASE ELKINS, LAWMAKERS WELCOME FIX FOR SENIOR MEALS AFTER LEGISLATIVE PUSH FOR ACTION

STATEMENT RELEASE

ELKINS, LAWMAKERS WELCOME FIX FOR SENIOR MEALS AFTER LEGISLATIVE PUSH FOR ACTION

State budget director identifies funding solution after sustained calls from General Assembly, public outcry

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2025) — Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester and co-chair of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee (LOIC), commended the state budget director’s decision on Friday to transfer funding from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to restore Kentucky’s senior meal program. The action follows weeks of legislative pressure and public scrutiny, which demanded a solution for thousands of older Kentuckians who were informed they would have to return to waiting lists for hot meals.

“This action is long overdue, but it finally delivers what the legislature has been asking for since the Beshear administration’s abrupt September 8 memo left local agencies and seniors confused. For more than a month, the Governor offered no plan to remedy this problem, and only after continued pressure from lawmakers has the administration finally identified one.

“From the start, my colleagues and I made it clear that the executive branch already had the authority and the flexibility to move existing funds to meet this need. We stood ready to correct the mistake ourselves if called into a special session. It shouldn’t have taken public outcry for the administration to act. Now that funding will be released, the focus must be on getting meals delivered quickly and rebuilding trust with those who administer this critical program and the elderly Kentuckians who rely on it.

“The Department for Aging and Independent Living (DIAL) must move swiftly, communicate clearly, and provide accurate information ahead of the 2026 session in coordination with the program's advocates and area development district directors.

“We look forward to working with the administration to make sure needs are met.” 

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Background

The senior meals crisis began after a September 8 memo from the Beshear administration told local agencies and seniors that “we must tighten our belts.” The message blamed federal policy changes for a funding shortfall that forced local providers to scale back meal deliveries and place seniors back on waiting lists. However, there was no evidence of any new federal cuts. Instead, the issue stemmed from an insufficient budget request in the Governor's executive branch budget proposal that ignored the calls of advocates and area development districts. The problem was exacerbated in recent months by poor management of available dollars.

During the pandemic, one-time federal COVID funds had expanded the senior meals program. Everyone knew those dollars would eventually run out, and advocates warned that about $14.5 million annually would be needed each year in state funding to keep serving seniors at the same level. The Beshear administration requested only $10 million annually, which the legislature funded as requested.

When questions mounted, the administration offered shifting explanations, at one point blaming a projected state revenue shortfall that had not even been announced when the meals memo went out. Officials were unable to clarify how the projected shortfall was impacting the current fiscal year funding for the program.

Local agencies that operate the program were left in confusion, trying to stretch limited funds while seniors waited.

In response, lawmakers from both chambers called for immediate action. On October 9, during a meeting of LOIC, Sens. Greg Elkins, Danny Carroll, Phillip Wheeler, Jason Howell, and other committee members urged the governor to use his existing budget authority or call a special session to restore funding. Elkins followed up the meeting with a letter to the Governor’s Office reiterating lawmakers' request.

The legislature had already given the administration flexibility to shift funds within existing budgets when emergencies arise. After weeks of pressure from lawmakers and media attention, the state budget director finally used that authority to move $9.1 million to the senior meals program. This transfer fixes the immediate funding shortfall and allows local providers to begin restoring meal services for seniors across Kentucky.

Find the Friday memo from the State Budget Director to the House and Senate budget chairs by clicking here.

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Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, represents the 28th Senate District, including Bath, Clark, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties and an eastern portion of Fayette County. He serves as co-chair of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee. He is an Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force member. Elkins also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Banking and Insurance; Local Government; Natural Resources and Energy; State Government; and Transportation. Additionally, he serves on the Public Pension Oversight Board. In 2024, he served on the Workforce Attraction and Retention Task Force, which explored strategies to address Kentucky’s labor force challenges and recommend policy solutions.