Research that works for Kentucky
Kentuckians Need a New Trade Policy, Not a Chaotic Trade War
Fruit of the Loom apparel plants once dotted the Kentucky landscape, with 11,000 workers at factories in Jamestown, Frankfort, Campbellsville, Franklin, Greensburg, Princeton and Bowling Green. In 1987, the company was the state’s second-biggest manufacturer.
Budget & Tax
HB 775 Moves Goalposts Again to Give Legislature Permission for More Tax Cuts
House Bill (HB) 775 in the Kentucky General Assembly would move the goalposts yet again on the state's income tax cut trigger formula.
Chaos, Confusion and Concern Over White House Funding Freeze
On January 29th, the White House announced that they were rescinding the proposed funding freeze....
Another Income Tax Cut Will Dig the Hole Deeper
Kentucky lawmakers are expected to vote early in the legislative session on another half-point cut...
Legislature Moved Goalposts to Meet Conditions for Tax Cuts Whose Bill Is Now Coming Due
The conditions have been met for the General Assembly to potentially cut the individual income...
Criminal Justice
Children in the Balance: Kentucky Reforms Successfully Diverted More Kids from Detention, but Now Those Gains Are at Risk
Executive Summary In 2014, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 200 with the goal of reforming the state’s juvenile justice system.
New FBI Data Shows No Evidence of a Violent Crime Wave in Kentucky
Recently-released FBI crime data for 2023 shows a slight increase in total violent crime in...
More Kids Will Be Locked in Kentucky’s Troubled Juvenile Detention Facilities Due to Laws Going Into Effect This Month
Several of the most harmful criminal legal system policy changes in recent Kentucky history go...
The 2024 Kentucky General Assembly Was the Most Regressive for Criminal Legal System Policies in Recent Memory
More than any legislative session in recent memory, the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly doubled down...
Economic Security
Slashing Federal Programs Would Deal Another Blow to Rural Kentuckians
Rural Kentucky, and eastern Kentucky in particular, is no stranger to extraction.
The Four Ways Congress Is Threatening to Cut SNAP in Kentucky
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps one in eight Kentuckians keep food on the...
Tracking SNAP in Kentucky
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital source of assistance that helps put...
Our Leaders Should Give Thanks to Food Assistance, Not Deplete It
As families across Kentucky fill their homes with food this Thanksgiving, some politicians in Frankfort...
Education
Why the Legislature May Change What’s in the SEEK Formula
Senate Bill (SB) 6 in the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly makes the most significant change in the history of the core school funding formula created by the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), known as Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK).
Federal Education Funding Supplies Over $1 Billion to Kentucky Kids Every Year
The Trump administration is reportedly considering dismantling the federal Department of Education (DOE), while Congress...
Teacher Pay Remains 20% Less Than 2008 Despite Small Gain in 2025 School Year
This school year, average district pay for Kentucky teachers is $13,888 less than 2008 once...
Kentucky Voters Buried Private School Vouchers. One More Idea Must Die to Truly Reinvest in Our Public Schools
Despite the best efforts of anti-public school activists and the deep pockets of out-of-state billionaires,...
Health Care
Taking Medicaid Away Through Work Reporting Requirements Would Harm Kentucky
Policies requiring Medicaid participants to report the number of hours they work in order to keep their health care are seeing renewed interest at both the state and federal level.
How Many Kentuckians Does Medicaid Cover in Each of Kentucky’s Congressional Districts?
Congress is considering deep cuts to Medicaid, and Kentucky’s members of the House of Representatives...
Medicaid at Risk, Part 2: The Four Ways Congress Might Cut Medicaid in Kentucky
Medicaid is a major benefit to Kentucky’s health, economy and state budget. But the potential...
Medicaid at Risk, Part 1: Medicaid Provides Critical Health and Economic Benefits Across Kentucky
Medicaid is the backbone of health care in Kentucky. Along with the Kentucky Children’s Health...
Jobs & The Economy
Kentuckians Need a New Trade Policy, Not a Chaotic Trade War
Fruit of the Loom apparel plants once dotted the Kentucky landscape, with 11,000 workers at factories in Jamestown, Frankfort, Campbellsville, Franklin, Greensburg, Princeton and Bowling Green. In 1987, the company was the state’s second-biggest manufacturer.
How Have Federal Workforce Cuts Affected You?
Tens of thousands of Kentuckians work for the federal government or other employers that receive...
HB 398 Would Weaken Kentucky Worker Health and Safety Protections
For more than 50 years, Kentucky has been one of many states that operate their...
Increased Unionization of Kentucky’s Auto Industry Would Help Return It to the High Road of Good Jobs
Workers at the Ford/BlueOval SK (BOSK) battery plant in Glendale, Kentucky have filed a petition...
