(WKYT) – Kentucky lawmakers worked Wednesday to advance bills before the midnight deadline on the last day of the 60-day regular session.
The House and Senate focused on passing legislation after spending the previous day overriding vetoes.
The House took up a number of Senate bills, including a resolution asking the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville to explore opportunities in nuclear energy.
“Continue to offer courses in nuclear workforce development, it’s very vital. Kentucky has always been a leader in the energy field,” said Rep. Randy Bridges, R-Ky District 3.
The House also passed Senate Bill 214, which supporters say will remove barriers in agriculture. That bill passed unanimously.
“Let’s be clear, agriculture is the backbone of this state. When our farmers succeed, our economy grows, our communities thrive, and food systems remain strong and secure,” said Rep. Walker Thomas, R-Ky District 8.
Gov. Andy Beshear said he will work with the resources made available despite disappointment in some budget decisions.
Beshear said he believes lawmakers made important investments to expand economic development but denied others.
“We didn’t get enough SEEK (classroom) dollars, very specifically showing that we have more kids with special needs going through the system, the regular calculation does not work, here is what we need,” Beshear said.
Beshear also called out lawmakers for not investing more in affordable housing and criticized a plan to renovate the capitol annex.
“They put 2 and a half million in that fund yet but $300 million to upgrade their offices like the Taj Mahal. Kentuckians are not going to have a place to call their home,” Beshear said.
When passing the budget, House leaders said they are making wise investments while trimming areas where cuts needed to be made.
Unless the governor calls the legislature back into special session, the legislature will not meet again until January 2027.