Departing Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear has boosted reimbursement rates for child care providers as his final term comes to a close.
The move comes amid the typical flurry of executive actions that mark the end of gubernatorial administrations. Beshear announced Thursday he was upping the current daily rate of $10.23 per child by 5 percent - or $1 dollar a day for most providers. The decision only applies to workers in Kentucky’s Child Care Assistance Program.
Beshear told WUKY the federal government will be picking up the $15 million dollar tab.
"It's not going to cost the General Fund any money, but at the same time it's going to help these childcare agencies provide the kind of service that families need so that they can work, be successful, and make sure that those children have the quality of life that they deserve," he said.
The governor argued the providers have gone close to a decade without an increase and are “struggling.”
Last week, Beshear used an executive order to clear the way for many non-violent former felons to regain voting rights. In his few remaining days, the chief executive says he’ll be reviewing which, if any, pardons he plans to issue.
