FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave his annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening, laying out his goals for the next four years for the state, goals that might be hard to accomplish with a Republican-controlled House and Senate.
Before Beshear spoke, state Republicans dismissed his speech, criticizing him for taking credit for everything, "from beautiful sunrises to bountiful harvests."
"The same tired tune we've heard for years," the state's Republican party spokesperson said.
Beshear did begin his speech by revisiting the events of his first term, marked by a pandemic and natural disasters in eastern and western Kentucky.
"It is those who have stepped up, set politics and division aside to just help each other, because that is who we are as Kentuckians," Beshear said. "No pandemic, no tornado, no flood – or any other challenge – will ever change that. How we dealt with these historic challenges wasn’t red or blue."
Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne, R-District 59, and Senate President Robert Stivers, R-District 25, talked to reporters Wednesday afternoon about their goals this legislative session. One thing Beshear and Republicans can agree on is that education is a priority. However, there are differences in how they target issues.
Osborne said funding will continue to be similar to the record-setting investments in past budgets. When asked about how the state will tackle school absenteeism and test score problems, Osborne said there will be a focus on learning loss.
"And I think that you're going to see continued conversation dominate most of the session whether that be along the lines of additional measures to address learning loss," Osborne said. "Whether to address some of the problems in JCPS, whether to be additional measures to address school choice."
There is an "appetite" among House Republicans for a school choice amendment, which is opposed by the governor and Democratic leaders.
Osborne and Stivers both said they don't expect universal Pre-K, which is a wish list item for Beshear, to be considered.
"I don't think there's much appetite in our chamber for it," Osborne said.
Beshear also talked about giving 11% raises across the board for public school employees. While Osborne said there will be significant education funding, he said lawmakers do not plan on mandating raises.
"I believe that those are decisions best made at the local level," he said.
Republicans are still working on their own budget bill and emphasized the drive to gradually eliminate the state income tax.
"We want to continue to work to make the most competitive tax code, because if you want to know why people want to locate here is the things that we have done related to the tax code," Stivers said.
Beshear also called for pay raises for state troopers and officers.
Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to file a sweeping public safety bill next week.Â
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