This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on December 22, 2017.  In Tom Loftus’ recent piece, “… Matt Bevin Reaches His Defining Moment as Governor,” we saw a Christmas miracle. Governor Bevin and Representative Jim Wayne, certainly no political doppelgangers, agreed about the imperative of revenue enhancements. The governor wisely — and bravely — proclaimed, “You can’t cut your way into everything. You can’t.” It’s not as if Kentucky has not tried the [...]

COMING SOON: THE 2018 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY In less than a month, on January 2nd, the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly will begin. In just over a month, more than 1,000 advocates—teachers, social workers, youth, judges, and more—will pack the Capitol rotunda in Frankfort and ask our leaders to prioritize kids in their decisions. Join those advocates at the 14th annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Thursday, January 18th! Learn more and register to [...]

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children stands on three cornerstones: Thriving communities launch strong families. Strong families launch successful kids. Successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. We’re launching the 2018 Blueprint policy priorities with partners from across the state with those three cornerstones in mind. We invite you to learn more about the Blueprint priorities and how to get involved. Check out the 2018 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy priorities. Read the fact sheets for [...]

Every two years, the Governor and legislature craft a biennial budget to guide the operation of state government. Kentuckians rely on the budget beyond what we may automatically think of, like roads, public parks, and public-school education. Kentucky families rely on the state budget to keep children safe, support kids' healthy development, and put kids on track for a prosperous future. Kentucky invests in kids by crafting a state budget that provides preventive oral health [...]

Fall mornings with Kentucky’s hills and valleys blanketed in fog create a picture-perfect landscape. While I appreciated the view on a recent morning drive, I breathed a sigh of relief when the fog lifted. The budget news for state government in Kentucky has been dire for months as the looming pension crisis has created a fog around the state budget. Recent revenue forecasts predicting another budget shortfall to the tune of $200 million have made [...]