Public News Service

Kentucky certified lactation consultant and birth doula Bonnie Logsdon has been vocal in her support for House Bill 10. (Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan KY bill would expand maternal care access

In the final days of the legislative session, Kentucky Senate lawmakers could consider the "Momnibus" bill, which would increase access to critical …

Pandemic-era federal funding sustained about 2,000 child-care providers since 2020, according to the Kentucky Center on Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

KY parents say reliable, affordable child-care linked to better mental health

More parents in Kentucky are switching jobs, delaying major purchases, cutting back on essential needs, and going into debt in order to afford child …

A study by Wallethub ranked Kentucky 43rd in the nation for residents' dental health. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky dentists expect more child tooth decay if "opt out" fluoride bill passes

A bill moving through the Kentucky Legislature would make fluoride treatment in drinking water optional for local municipalities. House Bill 141 …

Un estudio realizado por Wallethub clasific� a Kentucky en el puesto 43 del pa�s en cuanto a salud dental de los residentes. (Adobe Stock)

Dentistas de KY esperan más caries en niños si se aprueba proyecto de ley

Un proyecto de ley que se está debatiendo en la Legislatura de Kentucky haría que el tratamiento con fluoruro en el agua potable sea opciona…

In 2023, the USDA Forest Service and AmeriCorps signed a five-year agreement to establish the Forest Corps, which aims to create job opportunities to reduce wildfire risk, support reforestation and make national forests and grasslands healthier and more resilient. (Adobe Stock)

Climate Corps initiative could speed up reforestation of abandoned mine lands

A Biden administration program called the American Climate Corps aims to hire and train 20,000 people in conservation, climate and clean energy jobs…

Research by the Vera Institute shows that harsher sentences don't deter crime, can even make communities less safe, and are costly. (Adobe Stock)

KY lawmakers consider bill that would expand felony offenses

Under proposed legislation being considered by Republican lawmakers, Kentucky renters would face harsher criminal penalties for property damage…

Around $330 million in annual federal funding for child care in Kentucky is slated to expire in September, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky child-care providers face uncertain future when federal funding expires

Child-care providers in Kentucky are bracing for severe funding cuts when $330 million in annual federal funding expires in September. A recent …

Older adults make up a growing share of Kentucky's population, according to census data. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY seniors push for family caregiving, equitable housing reforms

Kentuckians age 50 and older say increased support for family caregivers, affordable housing and lower prescription drug costs would help improve …

According to the health-care advocacy group KFF, health centers served more than 30 million patients in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Despite funding limbo, more Kentuckians rely on Community Health Centers

The bulk of federal funding for Community Health Centers expires next month, and health advocates say they're worried about the impact on Kentucky …

M�s de la mitad (59%) de los residentes de Kentucky han experimentado al menos una Experiencia Adversa en la Infancia o EAI, seg�n datos del Departamento de Salud P�blica de Kentucky. (Adobe Stock)

Comunidades abordan las EAIs para prevenir trastornos por uso de sustancias

Las comunidades de toda la Commonwealth quieren minimizar las experiencias traumáticas de los residentes más jóvenes del estado…

The National Rural Education Foundation flagged Kentucky's educational outcomes as

Appalachian teachers say 'intense' challenges ahead for education in region

Educators in Appalachian Kentucky said significant school disruption and remote learning during the COVID pandemic combined with the devastating flood…

Para 2022, el 32% de los proyectos de ley aprobados en la C�mara de Representantes de Kentucky y el 24% de los aprobados en el Senado fueron acelerados de manera que excluyeron al p�blico, seg�n un nuevo informe de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes de Kentucky. (Adobe Stock)

Legisladores de KY aceleran proyectos de ley, reduciendo la transparencia

Los legisladores de Kentucky se reúnen esta semana para la sesión legislativa de 2024, y un nuevo informe encuentra que los representantes …

By 2022, 32% of bills that passed the Kentucky House and 24% that passed the Senate were fast-tracked in ways that cut out the public, according to a new League of Women Voters of Kentucky report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: KY lawmakers increasingly fast-track bills, reducing transparency

Kentucky lawmakers convene this week for the 2024 legislative session, and a new report finds state representatives are increasingly fast-tracking …

Kentucky teachers, bus drivers and food-service staff are leaving their jobs at record rates, largely driven by low pay, according to the Kentucky Legislature's Office of Education Accountability. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: KY has billions in rainy-day funds that could benefit communities

In less than a month, lawmakers will convene for the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly. Advocates said they want fewer dollars stockpiled in the …

Over the past few years, the number of retirees 55 and older nationwide have grown by 3.5 million, according to data from the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Kentucky Public Retirees advocate for payments to reflect cost of living

Many retired Kentuckians are facing great personal stress over their finances, according to Kentucky Public Retirees. Larry Totten, president of the …

According to the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, the city of Louisville currently has around 1,600 people who are experiencing homelessness, and only 750 beds are available in shelters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Proposed KY law criminalizing homeless camping 'will make our work harder,' advocates say

A lengthy proposal aimed at reducing crime recently unveiled by Kentucky lawmakers has housing advocacy groups concerned about the impact on the homel…

Nine thousand homes in 13 counties were destroyed or significantly damaged in the July 2022 eastern Kentucky floods, in which 40 people died. (Wikimedia Commons)<br />

KY’s Rural Housing Trust Fund Plays Critical Role in Disaster Recovery

The Kentucky Housing Corporation has received applications for housing funding from the state's Rural Housing Trust Fund requesting more than $18 mill…

Elementary and high schools nationally cut capital spending by $23 billion or 31% between fiscal years 2008 and 2015, the latest year available, after adjusting for inflation, according to the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: KY School Funding Gap Wider Than Levels Declared Unconstitutional

The funding gap between the state's poorest and wealthiest school districts is widening, with potentially dire consequences for students and …

An earlier attempt to build a $500 million federal prison in Letcher County was defeated in 2019 because of strong local opposition. (Adobe Stock)

KY Rep. Pushes to Fast-Track Federal Prison Project, Despite Local Opposition

A more than $500 million proposed federal prison project, which would sit on a former coal mine site in Letcher County, is receiving a renewed push …

Child care prices for a single child ranged from $4,810 for school-age home-based care in small counties, to $15,417 for infant center-based care in very large counties, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Child Care Providers Face Uncertain Future as Federal Funding Runs Out

New federal data show child care expenses are out of reach for most families, and in Kentucky, providers are struggling to keep their doors open…

In a 6-3 decision, U.S. Supreme Court justices said the Biden administration does not have the authority to forgive student loans. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Student Loan Decision Will Impact Hundreds of Thousands of Kentuckians

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to block President Biden's one-time, $400 billion student debt relief plan will affect hundreds of thousands of …

According to researchers at George Mason University's Mercatus Center, legalizing accessory dwelling units is on the rise as states take action to expand access to lower-cost housing. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Louisville Works to Expand Accessory Dwelling Unit Resources

The City of Louisville wants to streamline the process for property owners seeking to build Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as carriage houses …

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)

New Data Shows Well-Being of Kentucky Kids Worsens

The latest Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky, along with other Appalachian and Southeastern states, ranks in the bottom …

According to AARP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program likely played a role in keeping the percentage of food-insecure Americans ages 50 and older stagnant during the pandemic, at around 9.5 million people nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Some Kentuckians Risk Losing SNAP Benefits in Debt-Ceiling Talks

More than 17,000 Kentuckians could lose food assistance when pre-pandemic SNAP work requirements go back into effect this summer, for adults between …

More than 20 million people in the United States were diagnosed with a substance use disorder in the past year, according to the National Institute on Drug abuse. (Adobe stock)

Kentucky Sees First Drop in Overdose Deaths Since 2018

Drug overdose deaths in Kentucky decreased 5% between 2022 and 2021, the first drop since 2018. New data from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and …

Around 2.5 million children in the United States live in a household with their grandparents, according to the website Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Updates to KY Benefits Program 'KTAP' Aim to Help Family Caregivers

New changes to Kentucky's temporary benefits program - known as KTAP - increase the amount of money families receive to keep pace with inflation…

Ninety-three percent of U.S. construction firms have reported experiencing material shortages and/or allocations, according to the 2022 Buy America Materials Survey. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Push for 'Buy American' Rules in Kentucky Continues

In Kentucky, unions and their advocates continue to push for changes to shift public contract money toward suppliers sourcing their materials from …

Cancer care costs are expected to top more than $245 billion by 2030, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. (Adobe Stock)

New Kentucky Law Increases Access to Biomarker Cancer Testing

Beginning next year, more Kentuckians will have expanded access to biomarker testing - which helps doctors customize cancer treatment. Advocates of …

Seg�n la Asociaci�n Americana para la Investigaci�n del C�ncer, se espera que el costo de la atenci�n oncol�gica supere los 245 billones de d�lares en 2030. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Nueva ley de Kentucky aumenta acceso a pruebas de cáncer con biomarcadores

A partir del año que viene, más ciudadanos de Kentucky tendrán un mayor acceso a las pruebas de biomarcadores, que ayudan a …

Nationally, pay increases for state and local government employees have not kept pace with those of private workers, according to data from the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Critics Say Proposed Kentucky State Worker Pay Bill Isn’t Enough

Critics of a proposed pay raise for state workers said it barely keeps up with inflation and is not enough to alleviate Kentucky's long-standing gover…

A 2019 Legislative Research Commission report cited the average annual teacher turnover in Kentucky as just over 17% between 2010 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY House Education Committee Approves Bill to Address Teacher Shortage

Lawmakers in the Kentucky House Education Committee have greenlighted a bill aimed at addressing the state's widespread teacher shortage. It is …

Children's Advocacy Day at the Kentucky Capitol began in 2004 as an effort to unite advocates from across the state to raise their voices on behalf of children's safety, health, education and economic well-being. (Mara Powell)

Advocacy Day Lifts Up Kentucky Kids

Child abuse reporting dropped during the pandemic, and advocates said strengthening the state's system to ensure suspected cases of child …

According to a new report, many states are considering legislation to punish or blacklist financial firms with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards as part of their investment strategies. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Limits on 'Sustainable Investing' Hurt KY Taxpayers

Kentucky lawmakers are clamping down on corporations advocating environmentally and socially responsible investing. A new report said the decision …

Nearly nine in 10 Americans (88%) between 50 and 80 years of age said it is important to remain in their homes as they grow older, according to the latest University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. (Adobe Stock)

Older Kentuckians Want Aging-in-Place Support, Affordable Medication

Kentuckians age 50 and older across the state continue to struggle with high prescription drug costs, caregiver stress, and lack of long-term care …

Nearly 60 percent of Americans say they are bothered

KY Lawmaker Says Graduated Income Tax Offers “Some Relief to Function as a State”

An Oxfam report released this week shows the richest 1% of individuals have gotten richer since the pandemic, capturing almost two-thirds of all new …

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled his 2023 legislative proposals in the State of the Commonwealth Address on Wednesday. (Office of Gov. Andy Beshear/YouTube)

KY Governor Touts Teacher Pay, Remains Silent on Tax Cuts in State-of-State

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a 5% pay raise for teachers in his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night. His Education First Plan …

Kentucky's permanent income tax reduction went into effect Jan. 1, 2023. According to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, the tax cuts were made possible by large revenue surpluses from federal pandemic aid. (Adobe Stock).<br />

Kentuckians Worry About Impact of New Income-Tax Cuts

Permanent income tax reductions went into effect in Kentucky on Jan. 1. Some residents said they are concerned about the effects the cuts will have …

Kentucky has received $45 billion over the past several years in the form of stimulus checks, expanded unemployment benefits, a monthly child tax credit, state and local aid and more, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Say KY Should Hit Pause on Tax Cuts Amid Recession Fears

The amount of income tax Kentucky residents pay is slated to decrease slightly beginning next year, but experts say the Federal Reserve's decision to …

More than 75% of democratic voters say the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade makes them more likely to vote, according to an NPR/Marist Poll. (Adobe Stock)

KY Voter Registration Deadline is Oct. 11, Abortion Amendment on Ballot

With only four weeks left before the state's voter-registration deadline, advocacy groups say they are sounding the alarm on a ballot initiative …

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available through the Small Business Administration for Eastern Kentucky businesses that experienced flood damage. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits Band Together to Help Small Business Flood Recovery

Small businesses that suffered damage or destruction from the recent historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky can get one-on-one assistance as they try t…

Kentucky's jails are again over capacity, with 21,831 people in jail at the end of April, and an additional 9,835 people incarcerated in state prisons, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic, KY Returns to World-High Incarceration Rate

After a drop due to the COVID pandemic, new research found Kentucky is once again crowding more people into jails and prisons. The Bluegrass State …

Latino and multiracial students are more likely to plan to cancel or postpone their studies than students overall, according to a report by the Latino Politics and Policy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

KY Colleges See Enrollment Dip

Despite a college enrollment drop triggered by the pandemic, Kentucky's colleges are continuing to close gaps in graduation and retention rates…

As of February 2022, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Lawmakers Move to Cut Unemployment Benefits

The number of weeks Kentuckians can receive unemployment benefits will soon be cut by more than half. Last week, state lawmakers overrode Gov…

The federal Health Resources and Services Administration estimates the demand for Community Health Workers in rural communities will grow by 13% by the year 2030. (Adobe Stock)

KY Community Health Worker Bill Gains Traction

Kentucky lawmakers are considering a bill to allow Medicaid to reimburse certified Community Health Workers (CHWs). Supporters said it would help …

A 2021 study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found financial conflicts of interest among doctors reviewing the chest X-rays of coal miners who filed workers' compensation claims. (Adobe Stock)

Stalled Bill Leaves Coal Miners Uncertain on Future of Black Lung Benefits

Thousands of coal miners and their families are uncertain about the future of the federal Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. At the end of last year…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 65% of U.S. women aged 15-49 currently use a form of contraception. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Bill Would Increase Contraceptive Access Among Rural Women

Nearly 300,000 Kentucky women live in counties lacking a health center providing contraceptive methods such as the birth-control pill. Advocates in …

If Kentucky were to cut its income-tax rate to 4%, it would need to boost the sales tax rate from 6% to 7.4% to make up lost revenue, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: KY Should 'Clean Up' Tax Code, Not Slash Income Tax

Amid talk of slashing the state's income tax, experts say Kentucky's tax-code reforms should focus instead on eliminating tax breaks for the wealthy …

Gov. Andy Beshear outlines his budget priorities in a speech to a joint session of the Kentucky State Senate and House of Representatives on January 13th. (Office of Gov. Beshear)

Education Focus of Governor’s 2022 Budget Address

Acknowledging the pandemic's toll on Kentucky students, teachers and families, Gov. Andy Beshear announced last night a state budget which would make …

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KY: Budget Policy & Priorities