Economic Downturn and Recovery in Kentucky
The Improved Child Tax Credit in Kentucky Parents’ Own Words — and Why It Should Be Permanent
The enhanced Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has been a transformational policy, benefitting nearly 1 million Kentucky kids and lifting 69,000 out of poverty — but that policy is set to expire at the end of the year without further action from Congress.
Top Reads
Budget & Tax
Record Surplus Creates Opportunity to Reinvest in Kentucky
Kentucky lawmakers will have a historic opportunity to begin putting the state back on track for a brighter future next legislative session.
Historic Surplus Leaves State in Strong Place to Begin Reinvesting in Kentucky’s Needs
Thanks to aggressive federal pandemic relief that has increased Kentuckians’ incomes and strengthened consumer spending,...
Making Millionaires Finally Chip in Like the Rest of Us Would Pay for Transformational Public Investments in Kentucky
Kentucky has an opportunity to tackle its infrastructure challenges head on through proposed investments in...
Local Recovery Monies Should Go to Communities’ Greatest Needs — Kentuckians Can Help Make That Happen
Cities and counties in Kentucky are in the process of receiving the first half of...
Criminal Justice
The 2021 Legislative Session Criminal Justice Wrap Up: Some Important Wins that Should Be Built on to Achieve Systemic Change
This year, the Kentucky General Assembly took important steps forward in criminal justice with the passage of policies that will reduce incarceration and related harms in modest but important ways in several areas including policing, sentencing, juvenile justice and reentry.
The 2021 Legislative Session Saw Important Criminal Justice Progress, But We Must Continue to Work for Systemic Change
With Kentucky’s 2021 General Assembly now behind us, and with issues of police violence against...
SB 4 Would Limit No-Knock Warrants and Reduce Harm, but New Amendments Undermine Positive Impact
On the one year anniversary of the killing of Breonna Taylor by police in March...
SB 36 Would Protect Children from Automatically Being Tried as Adults
Senate Bill (SB) 36, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, would eliminate a provision in Kentucky...
Economic Security
Tracking SNAP in Kentucky
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital source of assistance that helps put food on the table for hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians.
The Improved Child Tax Credit in Kentucky Parents’ Own Words — and Why It Should Be Permanent
The enhanced Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has been...
Increasing SNAP Benefit Levels, and Removing Barriers for Immigrant and Refugee Communities, Would Improve Equity in Kentuckians’ Access to Healthy Foods
KyPolicy submitted the following comments on August 13, 2021, in response to the U.S. Department...
Federal Relief Programs Cut Poverty in Kentucky by Two-Thirds This Year
Thanks to many programs enacted through COVID-related federal relief legislation, an estimated 707,000 fewer Kentuckians...
Education
Private School Tax Credit Program at Odds With Kentucky’s Constitution
The framers of Kentucky’s constitution made crystal clear the state’s responsibility to provide for a system of common, public schools across the commonwealth.
Student Debt Relief Still Needed as College Year Begins in Kentucky
As another college year begins amidst a resurging pandemic, new Census data shows those struggling...
What to Know About Kentucky School Funding as Kids Head Back to School
Kids heading back to school this month will benefit from supports made possible by federal...
Student Debt Forgiveness Would Benefit Hundreds of Thousands of Kentuckians, Help With Economic Recovery and Improve Race Equity
The student debt crisis has been garnering increased attention recently, with calls for the federal...
Health Care
Coalition Letter: Kentucky General Assembly Must Use Special Session to Protect the Health of Kentuckians, Our Workforce and Our Children’s Education
A coalition of Kentucky organizations sent this letter to the Kentucky General Assembly on September 3, and many new signatories were added in an updated letter (available as a PDF here) sent on September 7, 2021.
Medicaid Filled the COVID Coverage Gap
Last year when COVID-19 cases were escalating and the bottom fell out of the economy,...
The 2021 Legislative Session Health Care Wrap Up: Steps in the Right Direction
The 2021 General Assembly passed several measures that will improve the affordability and accessibility of...
Bills Capping Insulin Prices Could Help Many Kentuckians with Diabetes, Especially Those Who Struggle to Pay
House Bill (HB) 95 was signed by the governor and will provide much-needed help to...
Jobs & The Economy
Tracking the Economic Recovery from COVID-19 in Kentucky
As more Kentuckians are vaccinated, and as American Rescue Plan Act spending supports the economy, people are returning to work in greater numbers and Kentucky’s economy is beginning to improve.
Honor Labor Day by Supporting Workers as if They Are Essential
Starting last year, as COVID-19 led people to social distance and quarantine, a new term...
$300 Weekly Jobless Benefit Is Good for Kentucky’s Economy
The expanded $300 a week in federally-funded jobless benefits known as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation...
This One Weird Trick Will Help Kentucky Employers Find Workers
As the economy is beginning to recover, we’re hearing the return of old, discredited claims...
