Gov. Beshear Delivers Final State of Commonwealth Address

“There is more to do. A lot more,” Governor Steve Beshear said. “This session, there are an array of issues related to health and safety that we must take action on."

Now in his final term as Kentucky’s governor, Wednesday night marked Steve Beshear’s eighth and final State of the Commonwealth Address.

In the past seven years he said lawmakers have accomplished a lot. Beshear said they’ve broken records in reforms like health care and education.

But he also reminded lawmakers that there is much more work to be done.

"Collaboration requires commitment and will,” Beshear said. “It doesn’t happen by itself."

The governor laid out an aggressive agenda Wednesday evening for his final year in office.

One of the biggest things he addressed to lawmakers is creating a statewide smoking ban.

"Some people are still fighting the notion that cigarette smoke is toxic,” Beshear said. “Folks, this is the 21st Century. It’s time to accept modern medicine and science, and it’s time to protect our children and our workers from exposure."

Another topic of importance to the governor is working with lawmakers to increase protections to keep children safe in the car.

"Federal highway safety officials and pediatricians recommend booster seats for children up to age 9 and 57 inches tall, because it’s safer,” Beshear said during the address. “Simply put, seat belts are designed for taller bodies. And our failure to act is putting kids at risk."

And another topic that the governor addressed Wednesday night is changing laws to protect drug users who call 911 to report overdose victims.

"No single change in the law is enough,” the governor said. “Like we did with prescription drugs, we have to attack this problem from all angles. This is not a partisan issue."

Beshear said he is proud of lawmakers for putting aside their differences over the past seven years to get things done.

"Folks, our vision is working," Beshear said. "Kentucky is back – and we’re not going to let up now."