Post-legislative session thoughts from both sides of the aisle

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) —Tuesday, two different perspectives were shared from both sides of the aisle after the end of the 2024 Kentucky Legislative Session.

Republican and Democratic leaders held post-session conferences discussing topics from education to healthcare. At the forefront, Kentucky’s two-year budget.

“I think the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky will be proud of the product knowing that we have made these types of investments all the time while cutting their taxes,” Senate President Robert Stivers said.

Democrats also weighing in on the work they did to fund local communities around Kentucky.

“Democrats in the general assembly were also able to secure critical funding that will shape our communities for years to come,” Senator Gerald A. Neal said.

A bulk of the budget focuses on education. Bills targeting an up in teacher pay, establishing universal pre-k, and increasing SEEK funding were all discussed.

“Ensuring teachers and educators get the pay they deserve, so we can attract and retain the best educators to give our children the best education,” Colmon Elridge said.

Senator Mike Wilson saying he’s proud of the funding created for education.

“We are able to give significant raises to our teachers as a result of those increases in the SEEK funding formula,” Sen. Wilson said.

Lawmakers were also divided over the outcome of abortion rights this session.

“They didn’t even assign Hadley’s law a bill that would’ve created exceptions to the states extreme abortion ban,” Elridge said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Pres. Stivers explaining why Hadley’s Law did not get the chance for a committee hearing.

“It is the toughest issue that I see that people personally have to deal with as legislators,” Stivers said.

A major fight for Democrats this session: The Safer Kentucky Act.

House Bill 5 was vetoed by Governor Andy Beshear, but ultimately signed off by Secretary of State Michael Adams.

The bill changes criminal codes in Kentucky, including life in prison for anyone convicted of three violent felonies.

“It criminalizes homelessness and some of the vulnerable, or some of the most vulnerable in Kentucky,” Sen. Neal said.

Meanwhile, Republicans are excited for the effect they say the bill will have on communities.

“The Safer Kentucky Act just dovetails and goes into a bigger working program that will help both the homelessness and the homelessness issue, mental health, substance use disorder, and then open up our cities to being felt safe and open for tourism,” Stivers said.

During the first 60 days in 2024, more than 1,200 bills were filed in Kentucky’s General Assembly; the highest number of bills seen in two decades.

215 bills were ultimately passed and signed off by the governor.