Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov. Beshear’s ‘State of the Commonwealth’ address recognizes successes, areas for improvement

FILE - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reacts to a question during an interview in the State Reception Room of the state Capitol, Nov. 8, 2023, in Frankfort, Ky. Country music star Tyler Childers will perform at Beshear's second inauguration, while health care workers and public school educators will serve as grand marshals of the parade as details of the daylong ceremonies on Dec. 12 came into focus on Thursday, Nov. 30. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
Timothy D. Easley/AP
/
FR43398 AP

Leaders in healthcare, education, tourism, and other sectors gathered with legislators and government officials to hear Governor Andy Beshear’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Beshear used the opportunity to convey a theme of economic success.

According to the Governor’s office, Kentucky added nearly 60,000 full-time jobs and expanded global business prospects. Beshear said his goal is to tackle common-ground problems impacting all Kentuckians, like employment and job stability.

“We wake up thinking about the next doctor’s appointment, for ourselves, our parents, or our kids. We wake up thinking about the roads and the bridges we’ll drive that day. We wake up thinking about the public schools our kids attend,” said Beshear. “And we wake up thinking about safety in the communities we call home.”

Beshear commemorated multiple new industries across the state, including Eastern Light Distilling, which broke ground in Rowan County last year.

In the address, Beshear also asked legislators to focus on education statewide. He argued Amendment 2, a measure to open tax dollars to private or charter schools, did not pass in the last election because it would not serve Kentuckians. Beshear instead said he hopes lawmakers consider funding for universal Pre-K.

“More than half of Kentucky’s kids, 54 percent, are showing up for kindergarten unprepared. Those students are behind before they ever got started. Those students are behind before they ever walked into a public school,” said Beshear

Kentucky lawmakers did not include funding for universal Pre-K in last year’s biennial budget. A new budget is set to be drafted in 2026.

The State of the Commonwealth address came at the beginning of this year’s General Assembly legislative session. The session will pick back up in the first week of February and extend through March.