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This Kentucky General Assembly Be Will Different for the Public
Kentucky’s $156 million budget shortfall, driven by reduced federal support, will influence 2026 spending debates as lawmakers meet in temporary chambers without public galleries.
- On Jan. 6, Kentucky lawmakers convened in a temporary building next to the Capitol Annex in Frankfort, as the Capitol is closed for a $300 million multi-year renovation.
- Revised revenue forecasts now show the state's first deficit in nearly a decade, with Consensus Forecast Group economists projecting a $156 million shortfall for the current fiscal year due to waning pandemic‑era federal support.
- The temporary chambers provide no in‑person public galleries, LRC officials say, so proceedings stream live and Annex committee rooms 149, 154, 169 and 171 serve as viewing rooms with access limited to those holding Legislative Research Commission-issued badges and security officers staffing entrances.
- Their top responsibility is crafting and passing a two‑year state budget that spends roughly $15 billion annually from the General Fund, while Republican leaders emphasize debt reduction and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear pushes for education investments.
- KFF projects a $22 billion federal reduction over the next decade, with new SNAP rules potentially exposing Kentucky to a $180 million annual food assistance bill and over $50 million in state costs.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
Richmond Register+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
This Kentucky General Assembly is going to be very different for the public
A big change is in store for lawmakers and the public when the Kentucky General Assembly begins its 2026 session Tuesday.Because the Capitol is closed and vacated for a $300 million multi-year renovation, the House and Senate will meet in…
Kentucky lawmakers will craft two-year state budget in 2026 session, amid new challenges
The Kentucky Capitol in spring 2024. (Ryan Van Velzer / KPR )Kentucky lawmakers return to Frankfort on Jan. 6 to kick off the 2026 legislative session. Their top responsibility is crafting and passing a two-year state budget that spends roughly $15 billion annually from the General Fund.Whereas the past two budget sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly came amid huge surpluses — in large part spurred by a surge of pandemic era federal spendin…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Left
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
75% Left
L 75%
R 25%
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