Beshear urges bipartisan action on jobs, health care, SNAP in State of the Commonwealth

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear delivered his seventh State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening.

In the address, Beshear made proposals for investments in housing, jobs and health care for Kentuckians.

The governor made two more proposals in his budget address. One would address the cuts to SNAP benefits for 114,000 Kentuckians by President Donald Trump's administration. Beshear's budget would provide $50 million to help food banks across the state.

"Our state is on a roll, but with the challenge of tariffs, national uncertainty and more, life is going to be tougher than in the past. Without action, Kentuckians are going to suffer," he said. "First, my faith tells me no one should go hungry. The miracle of the fishes and loaves is one of the only miracles that appears in every book of the Gospels. That tells us it's pretty darn important."

The address focused heavily on spending as lawmakers begin work on a new two-year state budget. Beshear is asking for $100 million to help offset rising health insurance costs after federal subsidies expired.

"A good job, affordable health care, safe roads and bridges, good schools, safe communities, these aren't red and blue issues. This is just what every Kentucky family wants, what every Kentucky family deserves and what our American families demand," he said.

The governor also brought up the recent concerns over utilities issues and said his budget creates a $75 million fund to help at-risk Kentuckians pay their utility bills as federal support remains uncertain.

He also wants $150 million for the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and nearly $200 million for economic development projects statewide.

Beshear also pushed for universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds, an idea that has repeatedly stalled in the Republican-controlled legislature.

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