(WKYT) – Senate President Robert Stivers said the legislative session that just ended was a success and defended funding decisions made in the spending plan.
Gov. Andy Beshear and Democrats have questioned some of what’s in the budget and what it leaves out.
Stivers said the budget will fund key areas despite criticism.
“Even the governor in a Democratic Press Association Press Release talked about how we are fully funding education,” Stivers said.
Beshear said he appreciates investments made but believes the spending plan will cause hurt in what it leaves out.
“This period that people are struggling through their government should be with them. Should be investing in them and not creating a Taj Mahal for them to work,” Beshear said.
Beshear was referring to a $400 million renovation to the capitol annex. Stivers said it’s a project that’s long overdue and now is a good time to do it.
“So while we are doing some work on the capital why sit here and wait three years and go into another phase. Let’s do it all at the same time,” Stivers said. Stivers also says critical work is needed on the capital annex garage which has not seen any major renovations in 50 years.
The General Assembly passed hundreds of bills. One of the last was Senate Bill 324, which could lead to more Hollywood-style productions filmed in Kentucky.
Stivers said that bill is a continuation of Senate Bill 1 that established tax credits which he said will lead to numerous benefits primarily in tourism.
“People remember Rocky running up the steps in Philadelphia. People go to places like that; they saw it in a movie,” Stivers said.
Stivers said the bill will create jobs in creating a new sector of the economy.
Stivers said despite recent income tax cuts, Kentucky is still collecting more revenue because the base continues to grow.