Republican lawmakers have unveiled a state budget plan that stakes out their authority over how Kentucky spends the next infusion of federal pandemic relief. Kentucky’s government is expected to receive about $2.4 billion in federal aid.
The budget bill includes language giving the GOP-led legislature “express authority” over how the money is spent. The provision would rein in Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. He's used pandemic relief to provide eviction relief funding, COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and other programs. Senate budget committee Chairman Chris McDaniel says he hopes lawmakers have discussions with the governor over how the federal relief is used.
