Cancel Student Debt, and Recommit to Education as a Public Good
President Biden’s recent statements that he will cancel some student loan debt is hopeful news for the 616,000 Kentuckians who...
Op-Ed
This Legislative Session Threatens to Lower the Quality of Life in the Commonwealth
Every year, the General Assembly proposes a host of bills ostensibly aimed at improving Kentuckians’ quality of life. Though it’s always telling to ask “whose quality of life,” this year’s...
House Tax Bill Would Wreck Kentucky’s Budget to Benefit the Wealthy
House Bill 8, which passed the Kentucky House last week, is the most fiscally destructive legislation ever considered in the commonwealth. It tries to get something for nothing by phasing...
There’s Still Time for Kentucky to Reverse Course on Harmful Criminal Policies
The 2022 General Assembly has a big opportunity to build on positive changes in criminal policy from last session. Increasing the threshold at which theft becomes a felony, ending the...
In the COVID Recovery and Beyond, Kentuckians Need a Strong Safety Net
The past two years have been hard on Kentuckians. In April 2020, nearly 1 in 7 lost their job and many more Kentuckians lost hours at work or faced quarantines...
Shift and Shaft Tax Policy Is No Way to Prosper
Indications are the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly will consider major changes to the state's tax system. While big proposals are often labeled as "tax reform," change itself will not necessarily...
One Step Forward, Six Steps Back: A Decade After Widely Hailed Criminal Justice Reform, Incarceration Is Worsening in Kentucky
Amid inflammatory — and frequently racist — news stories about violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentuckians may be wondering if more criminal punishment would make our communities safer. The answer...
Let’s Do More Than Light a Candle for the Mayfield Factory Workers
Eight people died in the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory when it was hit by a massive tornado last Friday night, and there were serious injuries among the 102 other...
Kentuckians Are Thankful for This Year’s Food Relief, But Hunger Isn’t Off the Table Yet
Thanksgiving is here and it is a time of celebration for families across the commonwealth. With an increase in statewide vaccination rates, Kentuckians are safely gathering with friends and loved...
Understanding the Workforce Requires Being Honest About Work
The latest version of a decades-long narrative that Kentuckians lack the motivation to work now says we have a “workforce crisis.” Like in the past, this story from employers ignores...