LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers sat down Thursday with WDRB to discuss key takeaways from the recent legislative session and explain the state budget investments coming to Louisville.
Under Kentucky's new two-year budget, Jefferson County will receive more than $1 billion for renovations.
Some of the Louisville-specific projects funded through the budget include downtown revitalization, a regional law enforcement training center, support for Louisville's airport and money to expand arts programs through the orchestra and Louisville Ballet.
Stivers has represented Kentucky's 25th Senate District since 1997 and was elected senate president in 2013. He is the longest-serving senate president in the history of the Commonwealth.
Q: What stands out to you as the most impactful piece of legislation that was passed this session?
"The ultimate policy document's the budget. That's what funds universities, that's what funds K-12, that's what funds our court systems, our social services, those things that are operational on a day-to-day basis. And we set our priorities by that."
Q: What are some of the most important pieces of the newly passed budget?
"We looked at various things related to our state police, our social services and Medicaid. We put some money back because we know there's some uncertainty for Medicaid."
Q: You've been a champion for getting state funding for development projects here in Louisville. And some may be wondering why, right? You're not from here, you aren't elected to represent Jefferson County, but you have really worked with your colleagues in Frankfort to push some of these funding projects forward. Why is it so important to do that?
"(Jefferson County) is 20% of our state's economy, and when you think about it, we have 120 counties, economics, businesses. When you have 120 product lines, when one of them, Jefferson County, generates 20% of your tax revenues, you have to make sure it's strong."
Q:Â Do you feel like relationships between some of the leadership here in Louisville and what you are trying to accomplish within the state senate are in a more positive place then they've been in many years?
"Probably the best I've seen in my career... we have our differences, but we also know there's things we need to get done."
Q:Â The legislature also passed some bills that will impact Jefferson County public schools. Those bills have received both pushback and praise, depending on who you ask, right? So why was the district such a focus for lawmakers this session in particular?"
"This is our largest school system. 1 out of every 6 children in the state of Kentucky come from Jefferson County, of that school aged population. So as a state senator, you have to think about that."
Q: What would you say to folks who feel like those decisions should be handled on a local level and that the state shouldn't interfere with local school boards?
"I agree to the point that the local school boards start to fail. And when you see, and again this is not me speaking, this is what's been reported, what's the shortfall? How many things are going wrong? What are the attainment levels? They're not good. And so that's where if you have a local board that has good financial management, that is safe for students and teachers, and having good academic performance, there's no reason for us to be involved. But when you have these type of indices for JCPS, then it's time to step in."
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