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...
Broad Language of Amendment 2 Would Have Far-Reaching and Unpredictable Consequences
Kentucky has one of the nation’s strongest constitutions when it comes to public education. But Amendment 2, on the ballot next month, threatens to upend that. Currently, the state constitution...
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 Kentucky compared to 2022, but a closer look shows that while some crimes went up...
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 tax rate from 4% to 3.5% beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the State Budget Director announced...
The Impact of Diverting Public Money to Private School Vouchers in Kentucky
This November, Kentuckians will vote on an amendment to the state constitution that would permit the General Assembly to spend public money on private schools. [efn_note]House Bill 2, 2024 Regular...
Budget Agreement Maintains Modest Spending for Education and Other Needs Despite Funds Available to Do More
The final budget agreement spends significant dollars out of the Budget Reserve Trust Fund (BRTF) primarily on infrastructure and very specific local projects. However, it remains largely austere when it...
Crime Statistics Do Not Support Claims of a Crime Wave in Kentucky
The sponsors of House Bill (HB) 5, which will significantly increase incarceration in Kentucky by harshening penalties and lengthening sentences for a broad array of crimes, claim that the commonwealth...
Senate Budget Includes Much More Infrastructure Spending, Remains Austere When It Comes to Other Needs
The Senate has proposed a budget that spends significant dollars out of the Budget Reserve Trust Fund (BRTF), primarily on infrastructure projects, much more than the House proposed. However, the...
House Bill 5 Would Cost Kentucky More Than $1 Billion Over a Decade
The Kentucky Senate is now considering House Bill (HB) 5, legislation containing the most sweeping expansion of the state’s criminal statutes in decades. In addition to increasing incarceration, hardship and...
House Passes Austere Budget That Adds to Already Overfunded Reserves and Aims for More Tax Cuts
Kentucky has a historic opportunity to invest in critical community needs, but the House passed a modest budget – lacking adequate funds for areas like education, child care, housing and...