Andy Beshear on Budget & Economy

	Andy Beshear on Budget & Economy

Budget will invest in infrastructure, including bridges

In a little over a week, I will join you again to unveil a budget. It will continue to deliver on our promise of a world-class airport in Paducah. It will continue to invest in infrastructure, with more water and sewer grants. And we will continue to expand the Mountain Parkway to four lanes and construct the I-69 bridge. It will move us ever closer to the announcement--which I hope we can make next year--that we will construct a Brent Spence Companion bridge without tolls. Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature ,

Budget contains investment in sites for job creation

That's why my proposed budget begins with job-creation. It contains $70 million for site development to create build-ready, job-ready sites. It contains $100 million for large projects that just need that last bit of infrastructure or an access road to say yes. And for the first time, it includes a $25 million rural economic development fund to bring jobs to areas that have been so close but haven't had that big announcement yet. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 7, 2026

We must tackle the shortage in housing and do it now

To preserve the American Dream of owning a home, Kentucky needs a big, bold investment now. It can't wait. It can't be incremental. So I am proposing a game-changing $150 million investment in our Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Combined with private dollars, that would create a billion dollars of new housing. We must tackle the shortage in housing, and we must do it now. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 7, 2026

Expanding clean water projects, high-speed internet

We've been continuing our work to bring clean drinking water to every Kentuckian. Working with this body, we established the Cleaner Water Program. In 2024, 158 projects were completed under this program. Kentuckians also deserve access to high-speed internet. We know that the internet is no longer a luxury. It's a necessity for education, health care and for our economy. And I'm proud to report, we have now approved projects that will connect 80,229 additional homes to high-speed internet. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 8, 2025

Clean drinking water is a basic human right

I've seen the difference the Cleaner Water Program makes. It's life-changing, and it's something we owe to all our people. That's why I'm proposing we invest another $500 million dollars in grants to our counties and local governments to continue this vital work. Folks, this is not a partisan issue. Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and this program is building on what we created together. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 3, 2024

Our mission is to move our families out of the floodplain

Our mission is to move our families out of the floodplain and out of harm's way. But doing so gives us a chance to reimagine our communities, to go beyond just rebuilding, and to set the stage for future growth. We have the chance to build new homes, community centers, senior apartments, maybe even new schools, along with strong, modern, resilient infrastructure that will help the entire region. And here's the best part: There is enough land--both to rebuild and to attract new jobs. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 4, 2023

Bringing new prosperity to every corner of the commonwealth

Our fiscal house is also stronger than ever. My administration is expected to post the four largest budget surpluses in the commonwealth's history. We have the largest rainy day fund ever, and we reported the highest annual revenue growth rate in 31 years. Put simply: We are winning and bringing new prosperity to every corner of the commonwealth, leaving no one behind. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 4, 2023

Our Eisenhower moment: investing more in infrastructure

In many ways, we are in our Eisenhower moment, investing more in infrastructure than ever before. We have some major results on major projects to be excited about--ones that have been talked about for decades. Together, we have also worked together to make the largest public sector investment in expanding high-speed internet. We delivered on projects to bring clean drinking water to nearly 85,000 homes, with every single county receiving funding. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 4, 2023

Better Kentucky Budget: no tax increase, no budget cuts

Kentucky's "Rainy Day Fund" is at its highest level ever. And we are going to provide an extra $100 million to further solidify and protect it. I'm pleased to report that with a better budget forecast than was initially anticipated, we have over $600 million in one-time money available to invest in our future. This budget--my Better Kentucky Budget--doesn't rely on any increase in taxes; there are no spending cuts; and it doesn't rely on the passage of any new revenue measures. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 7, 2021

Fully supports legalized sports betting

A commitment to the future also requires that we create new revenue to meet the growing needs of our state. Right now we are watching more than $500 million dollars in gaming revenue go across the border to states like Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. It's time to stop that flow. To use that money for our needs. Representative Adam Koenig has filed a sports betting bill. I fully support it, and we should pass it. Source: 2020 Kentucky State of the State address , Jan 14, 2020

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