The 2021 General Assembly Can Meet the Moment with Policies that Advance Racial Equity
The last year has brought much-needed new attention to issues of racism across the country and in Kentucky, spurred in...
Economic Security
HB 413 Provides Poorly Targeted Tax Break that Will Add Costs Later and Stress Unemployment System
In June 2020, Kentucky had to request a line of credit up to $865 million from the federal government in order to continue paying unemployment insurance (UI) claims during the...
10 Ways the Kentucky General Assembly Can Advance Race Equity and Shared Prosperity
The last year has brought much-needed new attention to issues of racism across the country and in Kentucky, spurred in large part by the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd...
Banning Food Assistance for Parents Behind on Child Support Is Harmful to Families and Costly to the State
A provision in Senate Bill (SB) 65 would disqualify parents who are behind in making child support payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food assistance). Such a...
HB 406 Modernizes Unemployment Insurance and Prepares Kentucky for the Next Downturn
The COVID-19 economic crisis has created enormous strain on our unemployment insurance (UI) system and made clear how outdated and inadequate the system was going into the pandemic. House Bill...
$2,000 Checks Would Provide More of the Relief Kentuckians Need
The December federal relief law provided checks of $600 per person, though many argued at the time for the larger amount of $2,000 per person. Now President-elect Biden and the...
New Federal Relief Package Is a Short-Term Lifeline, But More Aid Is Needed
Congress has finally agreed to a new relief package that temporarily extends much-needed support to a weak economy and struggling families. It includes expanded and continued emergency unemployment benefits, rental...
Many Kentuckians Face Hunger and Hardship This Thanksgiving. They Need Relief.
This Thanksgiving, some things will be different for just about everyone. Kentuckians will sit down for dinner with fewer family members and friends than they’re used to seeing. Remembrances of...
COVID-19 Crisis Demonstrates Need for State Improvements to Unemployment Insurance in Kentucky
Unemployment insurance (UI) is one of the most effective programs available to help laid-off workers meet their basic needs and allow economies to bounce back during downturns. As a partial...
With Many Forms of Assistance Ending in December, Kentuckians Need Federal Relief Before the New Year
At the same time that coronavirus cases spike and economic hardship deepens for many, a number of critical federal and state assistance programs that have mitigated harm during the COVID-19...