SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ON GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS EXCEEDING BUDGET ESTIMATES

STATEMENT RELEASE FROM SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ON GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS EXCEEDING BUDGET ESTIMATES

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/