Lexington Herald-Leader: Beshear: ‘Our role ... is not to move the state right or left but to move it forward’
By JOHN CHEVES and AUSTIN HORN
Entering his third year in office, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday delivered an optimistic State of the Commonwealth Address to a joint session of the General Assembly.
Beshear, a Democrat, struck a hopeful tone in his 29-minute speech. He reflected on the tragedies Kentuckians faced over the last year — the continued COVID-19 pandemic, ice storms, Eastern Kentucky floods and Western Kentucky tornadoes — while making several calls for unity to Republicans who control the legislature.
The governor said he is working with House and Senate leaders to “fast-track legislation to help our impacted families” in the Western Kentucky disaster zones. This would include $150 million in community reconstruction aid and $50 million to assist the region’s schools with their recovery.