Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 18, 2024) ? Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development; upcoming inclement winter weather; his recommended highway plan; and a water supply replacement project in Eastern Kentucky. The Governor also compared his Forward, Together budget proposal with the budget proposal prepared by members of the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Economic Development Update
Gov. Beshear announced he recently joined local officials and leaders from WPT Nonwovens Corp. to cut the ribbon on the company?s new $19.5 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ohio County, a project that is creating 35 new well-paying Kentucky jobs.
?WPT is one of the industry?s fastest growing companies and one of the last family-owned businesses still manufacturing nonwoven fabrics in the United States,? said Travis Robbins, WPT Nonwovens Corp. president who joined Gov. Beshear today. ?In a landscape dominated by large multinational conglomerates, WPT has not only survived, but thrived due to the unique products we create and our world-class service and our commitment to modernizing and expanding our production capabilities in the United States.?
The Governor also announced that Atlanta-based premium spirits company Staghorn is opening its first distillery, Garrard County Distilling Co., which has officially started production in Lancaster, Kentucky.
Winter Weather
The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to prepare for upcoming inclement winter weather. Over the next few days, the commonwealth is expected to experience severe weather conditions, including freezing rain and snow, extremely cold weather and ice. State highway crews and contractors have made progress in treating and plowing roads across the commonwealth.
?I want to give a shout-out to our employees, to the team members of the Transportation Cabinet, especially to the Department of Highways,? said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. ?More than 2,000 employees are actually active in fighting this snow and ice event. We?ve got the best crews in the business serving on Team Kentucky.?
Visit snowky.ky.gov for tips and traffic information. For more information and tips to prepare for the winter, visit?ready.gov/winter-weather.
Gov. Beshear also said that Walter Dewayne Dale, who was reported missing from Corbin on Sunday, was found alive on Tuesday. Kentucky State Police issued a Golden Alert for Dale at the request of park rangers with the Kentucky Division of Parks. The Governor thanked local and state law enforcement, the local fire department, EMS and emergency management for their dedication in the search.
Recommended Highway Plan
Gov. Beshear delivered a 2024 Recommended Highway Plan featuring more than 1,300 projects to build a better Kentucky. The six-year plan looks to invest state and federal dollars in maintaining and building a safe transportation system that improves the quality of life for Kentuckians. To learn more, see the full release.
Water Supply Replacement Project
The Governor announced that some Eastern Kentucky communities affected by the flooding will soon have a more reliable drinking water system. Breathitt County was awarded $1.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to replace damaged waterlines, radio meters and meter bases and install hydrants. The project, overseen by the Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, will provide 961 homes in the area with reliable and safe drinking water.
Budget Comparison
Gov. Beshear addressed differences between his Forward, Together budget proposal and the budget bill introduced in the House of Representatives, which he says impedes state and local governments? ability to help Kentucky families and communities; fails to invest in public schools and educators; hinders new job growth and infrastructure; doesn?t make needed public safety investments; cuts funding for health care; and is less fiscally responsible.
The House budget bill specifically limits funding to respond to emergencies and natural disasters; does not provide an 11% pay raise for public school employees; provides no funding for universal pre-K; fails to fully fund job site development; reduces Medicaid benefits; fails to fund crucial community development projects and state parks; and creates more debt than any other four-year period.
The House budget also dramatically reduces state personnel by eliminating funding for up to 95% of vacant personnel positions. The proposed budget halts progress in the state government?s work to increase the labor force. One example of the personnel reduction is a $17 million cut to the Department for Community Based Services.
The proposed House budget debilitates the ability of the Executive Branch to execute programs by requiring new quarterly reports for virtually every action as well as a comprehensive report for every executive order issued by the Governor.
?This is the type of red tape that prevents things from getting done in government. Let me say that this isn?t policy and oversight, which is the role of the General Assembly. This is direct micromanagement,? said Gov. Beshear. ?I believe this is beyond the separation of powers, but more than that, it is going to grind to a halt people actually getting things done because of the amount of paperwork that every part of the Executive Branch would have to be completing.?
Unlike Gov. Beshear?s budget proposal, the House budget fails to adequately invest in public schools and educators. The House budget has $1.1 billion less for SEEK over two years and over $1.5 billion less for the Department of Education?s General Fund.
The Governor said one of the most concerning parts of the House budget is the lack of funding for juvenile justice and its failure to meet the legal mandates of Senate Bill 162. The House budget cuts numerous public safety positions, reduces addiction treatment services, does not fund new female juvenile justice centers and more.
The Governor said that he will continue working to ensure that critical funding needs are included in the final version of the budget bill passed by lawmakers.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named those who work at the National Weather Service as this week?s Team Kentucky All-Stars and thanked them for their hard work and dedication to keeping Kentuckians informed.
?I very much appreciate the weather briefings they provide to me and this office. It is because of their hard work that we are able to share weather updates with Kentucky families,? said Gov. Beshear. ?They work day and night to provide critical information that allows more people to be prepared and take steps to stay safe at home or if they are traveling to work or school.?
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