Gov. Andy Beshear speaks on election night, Nov. 7, 2023, at Old Forrester’s Paristown Hall in Louisville. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)
In 2022, Kentucky House Republicans took Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear by surprise by filing a two-year state budget bill before the governor had delivered a budget proposal or the traditional budget address to the legislature.
Beshear is turning the tables on Republicans Monday night by delivering what’s being described as a budget address on KET.
The General Assembly, which convenes in regular session on Jan. 2, must approve a state budget for 2024-26 and will be working with a record-high state surplus.
The General Fund surplus at the end of fiscal year 2023 was more than $1.55 billion, bringing the state’s rainy day fund to a record $3.7 billion.
During his successful reelection campaign, Beshear called for 11% pay raises for school employees, funding universal preschool and fully funding school transportation.
Beshear is scheduled to deliver “a pre-taped budget address” at 8 p.m. on KET’s Kentucky Tonight, according to a release from the public television network, followed by a panel discussion led by moderator and KET public affairs director Renee Shaw.
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