"Editor’s note: To view the Governor’s Team Kentucky Update, ""click here" [ [link removed] ]"."

Kentucky State Seal

*OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR*








*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*




*Contact:  *

 

*Crystal Staley*
*502-545-3714*
"[email protected]"

*James Hatchett
502-330-1722
*"[email protected]"






*Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
  *

*FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 27, 2025)* – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, Vietnam Veterans Day, a bill to lower the age for instructional drivers permits, Centers for Independent Living, the legislative session, storm recovery and upcoming weather. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman also recapped the state’s first Agriculture Education Week. The Governor took a moment to highlight the life of Guy McClellan Jones III on the eighth anniversary of his passing, and he named the Russell High School Academic Team and Special Olympian DesaRae Nickell as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

*Economic Development*
Gov. Beshear highlighted [ [link removed] ] continuing momentum in the state’s manufacturing and technology sectors as Shinsung ST USA, a leading innovator in energy storage solutions, announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Simpson County with a $53.5 million investment creating 100 new, quality Kentucky jobs.

*Vietnam Veterans Day*
The Governor recognized Saturday, March 29, as Vietnam Veterans Day, commemorating the date the last American combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam in 1973. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America joined the news conference to be recognized.

“No matter the conflict, our veterans have stood ready to sacrifice and protect our freedoms, and we are forever grateful,” said Gov. Beshear.

*House Bill 15*
The Governor also highlighted a bill he signed into law that lowers the age at which Kentuckians can obtain a drivers permit from 16 to 15 years old. The Governor noted that House Bill 15 [ [link removed] ] only allows more time for eligible drivers to hold a permit. State law still requires a driver to be 16 to obtain a license.

The Governor provided an update on steps the state is taking to implement this change. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reprogramming the state’s licensing system. The Governor said that Team Kentucky believes 15-year-olds will be able to begin scheduling appointments with Kentucky State Police for permit applications and testing on April 2.

Until that date, parents and teens can:


* Sign up for email updates at drive.ky.gov [ [link removed] ];
* Collect all necessary documents, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card and School Compliance Verification Form; and
* Begin studying for the written permit test. The official Kentucky driver’s manual can be found on the Kentucky State Police website [ [link removed] ].

*Centers for Independent Living*
The Governor announced that individuals with disabilities will soon have access to independent living services in all 120 Kentucky counties. Currently, the Centers for Independent Living’s coverage area is regional, covering only 49 counties. Team Kentucky’s plan to expand the coverage statewide has been made possible by the Kentucky Independent Living Network.

“This expansion will provide essential services like independent skills training, peer counseling and school and career services,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re committed to ensuring that Kentuckians with disabilities have every opportunity to live a full, independent life and contribute to their communities.”

*Agriculture Education Week*
The Lieutenant Governor provided a recap of the commonwealth’s inaugural Agriculture Education Week. This initiative was spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Coleman, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher. Lt. Gov. Coleman visited seven schools across the state to witness agriculture come to life in public school classrooms.

“Agriculture and education are the ties that bind in every community across Kentucky,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “We wanted to focus on our youngest learners – elementary students – by providing early exposure to lessons like where your food comes from, sustainability and the array of careers available in agriculture.”

*Action Taken on Bills*
Today, the General Assembly convenes for first of the last two days of the 2025 regular session, which concludes [ [link removed] ] on Friday, March 28. Thus far, Gov. Beshear has signed 89 bills, vetoed 29 bills and returned 10 bills without a signature.

The Governor said the beginning of this session held a lot of promise. Publicly, lawmakers were focused on helping Kentucky families, boosting the commonwealth’s economy and being responsible with taxpayer dollars. But by the end, unfortunately, many bills were produced behind closed doors, bills that the public never had a chance to read. Many of these bills would hurt Kentucky families, damage the public education system and create barriers and delay in accessing health care.

The Governor also said legislators have grown reliant on “committee substitutes.” Lawmakers file a bill with certain language, then swap most or all of it out, usually with little time before voting occurs. This limits public review and creates a problem for media in being able to report accurately.

“I feel like we started the session, lifting people up, and by the end of the session, the General Assembly was kicking them while they were down,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve got to govern in a way that has more humanity and more empathy. In order to reach our full potential and to build Our New Kentucky Home, we have to be welcoming to people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We have to lend that helping hand to other people, and certainly not make it harder for people that are already marginalized.”

Gov. Beshear provided an update on bills he has signed, vetoed or returned to the General Assembly without signing. For more details, read about bills the Governor took action on Monday [ [link removed] ], Tuesday [ [link removed] ] and Wednesday [ [link removed] ] of this week.

*Storm Recovery and Upcoming Weather*
Gov. Beshear updated Kentuckians on forecast severe weather over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon into Sunday night, strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across the commonwealth. All severe hazards are possible including damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. Heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding. The Governor asked Kentuckians to stay weather-aware heading into the weekend.

The Governor also provided an update on recovery efforts following the severe storms in February. There are now 16 Disaster Recovery Centers [ [link removed] ] open. A 17th center is scheduled to open tomorrow in Woodford County.

Last week, two more counties, Leslie and Woodford, received approval for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income households affected by natural disasters. Kentuckians living or working in these two counties have until Friday, March 28, 2025, to apply. To apply, call 855-306-8959 [ tel:8553068959 ] between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT, or visit your local Department for Community Based Services office [ [link removed] ].

Kentucky state parks are sheltering 181 people at three state resort parks, and 77 people in travel trailers. Flood survivors are encouraged to visit HousingCantWait.org [ [link removed] ] to fill out an interest form for help with housing.

The Governor also shared good news from Pike County. After two bridges were destroyed in the storms, the Woodman Summer and River Elk communities were isolated. Residents were provided emergency food and water, but Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel were originally unable to assist due to safety restrictions at the low-water river crossing. Over the weekend, FEMA worked with local emergency management officials to host an outreach day at the crossing. They were able to reach isolated survivors, ensure they were registered for assistance, help with any registration issues and provide home inspections for inaccessible properties.

*Guy McClellan Jones III*
Gov. Beshear took a moment to highlight the life of a special Kentuckian on the eighth anniversary of his passing. Guy McClellan Jones III was a Marine staff sergeant who served our country valiantly during the Vietnam War. For his service, he received four Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Valor. The Governor said it is important to honor this great American and Kentuckian and the people who loved him, including his widow, Leisa Jones.

*Team Kentucky All-Stars*
Gov. Beshear recognized two Team Kentucky All-Stars this week. First, Russell High School’s Academic Team, which won the Kentucky Association for Academic Competition 2025 Governor’s Cup. This marks the school’s eighth overall Governor’s Cup Championship and makes the school the second most awarded in Kentucky history. The team attended the news conference to be recognized.

“On Team Kentucky, we put education first, because when we invest in our students and our schools, there’s nothing they can’t achieve – and these kids are living proof,” said Gov. Beshear.

Second, the Governor recognized DesaRae Nickell from Morehead. Nickell just returned from Italy, where she competed in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games and medaled in two events. Nickell attended the Team Kentucky Update and the Governor commissioned her a Kentucky Colonel.

“Thank you for representing Kentucky and our nation so well,” said Gov. Beshear. “You’ve made us all proud.”

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