KyPolicy
@kypolicy.bsky.social
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KyPolicy for short): research, analysis, and education on important policy issues facing the commonwealth.
Reposted by KyPolicy
Health insurance premiums for state and school employees could explode by *78%* because of language added to the House budget, having a "devastating impact on all...members and their dependents," according to a new letter from the Personnel Cabinet & reported by @austin-horn.bsky.social 1/
February 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Health insurance premiums for state and school employees could explode by *78%* because of language added to the House budget, having a "devastating impact on all...members and their dependents," according to a new letter from the Personnel Cabinet & reported by @austin-horn.bsky.social 1/
In a new op-ed, Jason Bailey writes that lawmakers face a choice with the state budget.
Do they underfund public services to trigger more income tax reductions, which is what they're signaling with the first draft of the budget?
Or do they start putting Kentuckians over cuts?
Do they underfund public services to trigger more income tax reductions, which is what they're signaling with the first draft of the budget?
Or do they start putting Kentuckians over cuts?
February 12, 2026 at 3:06 PM
In a new op-ed, Jason Bailey writes that lawmakers face a choice with the state budget.
Do they underfund public services to trigger more income tax reductions, which is what they're signaling with the first draft of the budget?
Or do they start putting Kentuckians over cuts?
Do they underfund public services to trigger more income tax reductions, which is what they're signaling with the first draft of the budget?
Or do they start putting Kentuckians over cuts?
The state budget allows us to build a better Kentucky, but the current House proposal fails to put Kentuckians over cuts.
The House budget chair recently invited advocates to put their “best case forward.” That’s what we'll do February 25.
Join us: actionnetwork.org/events/kentu...
The House budget chair recently invited advocates to put their “best case forward.” That’s what we'll do February 25.
Join us: actionnetwork.org/events/kentu...
Kentuckians Over Cuts Press Conference
Join us at a 11:30 a.m. press conference to call for a state budget that puts Kentuckians over cuts. The House’s initial budget proposal is “bare bones,” in the words of one legislative leader. Among ...
actionnetwork.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The state budget allows us to build a better Kentucky, but the current House proposal fails to put Kentuckians over cuts.
The House budget chair recently invited advocates to put their “best case forward.” That’s what we'll do February 25.
Join us: actionnetwork.org/events/kentu...
The House budget chair recently invited advocates to put their “best case forward.” That’s what we'll do February 25.
Join us: actionnetwork.org/events/kentu...
Reposted by KyPolicy
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky’s next state budget kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky's next state budget • Kentucky Lantern
Improving this budget will be necessary, because there are grave problems with it as filed. And hidden among its many words and numbers is a choice.
kentuckylantern.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:42 PM
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky’s next state budget kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
NEW: As JCPS makes cuts to address a $188 million budget shortfall, our new analysis shows the district is losing $186 million a year because state SEEK payments have not kept pace with inflation.
February 11, 2026 at 5:28 PM
NEW: As JCPS makes cuts to address a $188 million budget shortfall, our new analysis shows the district is losing $186 million a year because state SEEK payments have not kept pace with inflation.
Reposted by KyPolicy
Commentary by @jbaileyky.bsky.social @kypolicy.bsky.social
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky’s next state budget.
Who is Kentucky for?
kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky’s next state budget.
Who is Kentucky for?
kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky's next state budget • Kentucky Lantern
Improving this budget will be necessary, because there are grave problems with it as filed. And hidden among its many words and numbers is a choice.
kentuckylantern.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Commentary by @jbaileyky.bsky.social @kypolicy.bsky.social
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky’s next state budget.
Who is Kentucky for?
kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky’s next state budget.
Who is Kentucky for?
kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
Reposted by KyPolicy
Important in-depth, fact-based budget analysis from @jbaileyky.bsky.social of @kypolicy.bsky.social: kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
A choice is hidden in the pages of Kentucky's next state budget • Kentucky Lantern
Improving this budget will be necessary, because there are grave problems with it as filed. And hidden among its many words and numbers is a choice.
kentuckylantern.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Important in-depth, fact-based budget analysis from @jbaileyky.bsky.social of @kypolicy.bsky.social: kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/11/a...
SEEK payments to JCPS are down an inflation-adjusted 45% since 2008. The House budget proposal would make it 58% by 2028.
The state keeps requiring the JCPS board to shoulder more of the cost of funding schools, even as lawmakers try to take away the its authority to govern.
The state keeps requiring the JCPS board to shoulder more of the cost of funding schools, even as lawmakers try to take away the its authority to govern.
February 10, 2026 at 10:15 PM
SEEK payments to JCPS are down an inflation-adjusted 45% since 2008. The House budget proposal would make it 58% by 2028.
The state keeps requiring the JCPS board to shoulder more of the cost of funding schools, even as lawmakers try to take away the its authority to govern.
The state keeps requiring the JCPS board to shoulder more of the cost of funding schools, even as lawmakers try to take away the its authority to govern.
The "bare bones" state budget proposed in the House makes no plan to sustain SNAP after massive federal cuts. We need lawmakers to vastly improve this budget proposal and put Kentuckians over cuts. #kyga26
February 9, 2026 at 9:36 PM
The "bare bones" state budget proposed in the House makes no plan to sustain SNAP after massive federal cuts. We need lawmakers to vastly improve this budget proposal and put Kentuckians over cuts. #kyga26
By cutting state SEEK payments, the House budget will require school districts to either pick up the slack or, more likely, do without.
Click the link below to see how much the proposal would cut SEEK in your district:
Click the link below to see how much the proposal would cut SEEK in your district:
February 9, 2026 at 7:53 PM
By cutting state SEEK payments, the House budget will require school districts to either pick up the slack or, more likely, do without.
Click the link below to see how much the proposal would cut SEEK in your district:
Click the link below to see how much the proposal would cut SEEK in your district:
Reposted by KyPolicy
As introduced, the House budget cuts over $100M from SEEK payments to KY school districts. That means $25M less to JCPS ($37M less counting inflation), and up to 12% cuts in state/local SEEK by district.
Find out how your district fares in the new @kypolicy.bsky.social analysis, link below:
Find out how your district fares in the new @kypolicy.bsky.social analysis, link below:
February 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
As introduced, the House budget cuts over $100M from SEEK payments to KY school districts. That means $25M less to JCPS ($37M less counting inflation), and up to 12% cuts in state/local SEEK by district.
Find out how your district fares in the new @kypolicy.bsky.social analysis, link below:
Find out how your district fares in the new @kypolicy.bsky.social analysis, link below:
The "bare bones" state budget proposed in the House shorts Medicaid by $848 million. We need lawmakers to vastly improve this budget proposal and put Kentuckians over cuts. #kyga26
February 6, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The "bare bones" state budget proposed in the House shorts Medicaid by $848 million. We need lawmakers to vastly improve this budget proposal and put Kentuckians over cuts. #kyga26
ICE in Kentucky Update
Five Kentucky law enforcement agencies signed 287(g) agreements with ICE in January. That’s the most of any month since the start of the Trump administration.
Five Kentucky law enforcement agencies signed 287(g) agreements with ICE in January. That’s the most of any month since the start of the Trump administration.
February 5, 2026 at 7:33 PM
ICE in Kentucky Update
Five Kentucky law enforcement agencies signed 287(g) agreements with ICE in January. That’s the most of any month since the start of the Trump administration.
Five Kentucky law enforcement agencies signed 287(g) agreements with ICE in January. That’s the most of any month since the start of the Trump administration.
This budget session, we're joining Protect Our Schools KY to call for an additional $718 million annual investment in public education. That's how we move toward giving every child in Kentucky the school they deserve.
How would that help your schools? Fact sheets for every district linked below.
How would that help your schools? Fact sheets for every district linked below.
February 5, 2026 at 2:26 PM
This budget session, we're joining Protect Our Schools KY to call for an additional $718 million annual investment in public education. That's how we move toward giving every child in Kentucky the school they deserve.
How would that help your schools? Fact sheets for every district linked below.
How would that help your schools? Fact sheets for every district linked below.
Reposted by KyPolicy
A new poll found Kentuckians are increasingly concerned about the economy and are viewing unions more favorable. Here's what we know: tinyurl.com/62uczrj5
January 28, 2026 at 10:01 PM
A new poll found Kentuckians are increasingly concerned about the economy and are viewing unions more favorable. Here's what we know: tinyurl.com/62uczrj5
A new poll of Kentucky voters finds broad, bipartisan support for raising pay, improving benefits, and giving workers a stronger voice on the job — reflecting deep concerns about affordability and a growing gap between the wealthy and everyone else. #kyga26
January 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM
A new poll of Kentucky voters finds broad, bipartisan support for raising pay, improving benefits, and giving workers a stronger voice on the job — reflecting deep concerns about affordability and a growing gap between the wealthy and everyone else. #kyga26
Reposted by KyPolicy
Kentucky’s support for unions, wealth tax growing, new poll shows
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Kentucky’s support for unions, wealth tax growing, new poll shows
A new poll found Kentuckians are increasingly concerned about the economy and are viewing unions more favorable. Here's what we know
www.courier-journal.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Kentucky’s support for unions, wealth tax growing, new poll shows
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Our statement on the state House budget proposal, which deeply slashes funding and prioritizes future tax cuts:
January 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Our statement on the state House budget proposal, which deeply slashes funding and prioritizes future tax cuts:
Reposted by KyPolicy
The House budget introduced today is what happens when tax cuts chickens start coming home to roost. See the @kypolicy.bsky.social analysis of how this proposal severely cuts and underfunds a variety of essential public services: kypolicy.org/house-budget...
House Budget Deeply Slashes Funding for Many Services, Prioritizes More Tax Cuts - Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
As introduced, the House budget severely cuts or freezes many parts of the state budget and underfunds essential public services.
kypolicy.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:40 AM
The House budget introduced today is what happens when tax cuts chickens start coming home to roost. See the @kypolicy.bsky.social analysis of how this proposal severely cuts and underfunds a variety of essential public services: kypolicy.org/house-budget...
The House budget came out today. It severely cuts or freezes many parts of the state budget and underfunds essential public services, all with the apparent goal of triggering more income tax cuts.
January 28, 2026 at 2:51 AM
The House budget came out today. It severely cuts or freezes many parts of the state budget and underfunds essential public services, all with the apparent goal of triggering more income tax cuts.
Property taxes fund schools, public safety, libraries and more. But a movement in Frankfort to cap or even eliminate them for some groups threatens these public services.
The state should help people struggling to stay in their homes, but these vital revenues must also be protected.
The state should help people struggling to stay in their homes, but these vital revenues must also be protected.
January 23, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Property taxes fund schools, public safety, libraries and more. But a movement in Frankfort to cap or even eliminate them for some groups threatens these public services.
The state should help people struggling to stay in their homes, but these vital revenues must also be protected.
The state should help people struggling to stay in their homes, but these vital revenues must also be protected.
It's time for a significant investment in public education.
An additional $718 million a year in the next state budget would allow schools to give educators a raise, shrink class sizes, expand pre-K and add mental health counselors. #kyga26
An additional $718 million a year in the next state budget would allow schools to give educators a raise, shrink class sizes, expand pre-K and add mental health counselors. #kyga26
January 20, 2026 at 7:57 PM
It's time for a significant investment in public education.
An additional $718 million a year in the next state budget would allow schools to give educators a raise, shrink class sizes, expand pre-K and add mental health counselors. #kyga26
An additional $718 million a year in the next state budget would allow schools to give educators a raise, shrink class sizes, expand pre-K and add mental health counselors. #kyga26
NEW: Despite growing fear and outrage, KY is ramping up anti-immigrant enforcement.
- ICE arrests are up
- ICE detainees are up
- Law enforcement and county jail partnerships are up
- Proposed state laws would intensify deportations
Our update on ICE in KY: kypolicy.org/ice-enforcem...
- ICE arrests are up
- ICE detainees are up
- Law enforcement and county jail partnerships are up
- Proposed state laws would intensify deportations
Our update on ICE in KY: kypolicy.org/ice-enforcem...
Amid Mounting Harms, Kentucky Is Ramping Up Anti-Immigrant Enforcement - Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
A growing number of local police and jails in Kentucky are entering into agreements and contracts to cooperate with ICE.
kypolicy.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:24 PM
NEW: Despite growing fear and outrage, KY is ramping up anti-immigrant enforcement.
- ICE arrests are up
- ICE detainees are up
- Law enforcement and county jail partnerships are up
- Proposed state laws would intensify deportations
Our update on ICE in KY: kypolicy.org/ice-enforcem...
- ICE arrests are up
- ICE detainees are up
- Law enforcement and county jail partnerships are up
- Proposed state laws would intensify deportations
Our update on ICE in KY: kypolicy.org/ice-enforcem...
The 2026 KyPolicy Conference is in just a few weeks. Hope to see you there. #kyga26
Register: kypolicy.org/registration/
Register: kypolicy.org/registration/
January 8, 2026 at 8:51 PM
The 2026 KyPolicy Conference is in just a few weeks. Hope to see you there. #kyga26
Register: kypolicy.org/registration/
Register: kypolicy.org/registration/
Our analysis of the governor's budget proposal ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Gov. Beshear proposes a tight budget hampered by the loss of revenue from state income tax reductions, and proposes significant rainy day fund investments to address affordability.
See the @KyPolicy analysis here: kypolicy.org/2026-governo...
See the @KyPolicy analysis here: kypolicy.org/2026-governo...
Governor Proposes Tight Budget for Ongoing Services, Using Reserve Funds to Help Household Affordability Needs - Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
Governor Andy Beshear has proposed a tight budget for ongoing services and using budget reserve funds to help household affordability needs.
kypolicy.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Our analysis of the governor's budget proposal ⬇️⬇️⬇️