Gov. Beshear addresses recent executive orders

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Governor Andy Beshear addressed the crowd at the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association winter conference.

“I just got back from the World Economic Forum, and I was so proud because Kentucky was invited for the very first time,” he said.

Now that he’s back, he has some major topic to take up in this year’s legislative session. The first on his list is lowering the state income tax rate.

“When I sign house bill one, which I will, it will provide relief to our families at this time that they need it,”

The governor says tariffs are now a big concern for many Americans.

“Small businesses are concerned that it’s not only going to raise their costs, but they’re going to have to then raise prices on the people that they know and care about in their communities,” Governor Beshear said.

Although President Trump has agreed to pause tariffs for one month on certain countries, the concerns still remain.

“Nobody wins in a trade war; tariffs are a bad idea. Mitch McConnell’s against them, Rand Paul’s against them, I’m against them,” Beshear said.

Another thing he says he’s against: Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie’s bill to dismantle the Department of Education.

“The Department of Education isn’t’ perfect, but it’s important,” he said. “I’ve always believed, if you think something is broken, you fix it, you don’t throw it out, and they’re not planning on replacing it.”

Ultimately, the governor says this legislative session his priorities are education, transportation and creating more jobs.