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From 'not overly exercised' to warnings about risks to bourbon and EVs, Kentucky leaders are awaiting final products out of Washington

President Donald Trump holds a pen as he speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci/AP
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AP
President Donald Trump holds a pen as he speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The rapidly-changing headlines coming out of the nation's capitol are prompting varying reactions in Frankfort — with the Senate's top Republican taking a wait-and-see approach.

Senate President Robert Stivers acknowledges tariffs could have a negative impact on Kentucky, but he also sees potential positives. Tuesday, he echoed the argument that the threat of tariffs produced results — with Canada agreeing to reinforce its border with the US in exchange for a 30-day pause.

On the topic of federal funding, Stiver says changes coming down from DC could affect any number of areas from state transportation dollars to education to Medicaid. But for now, the Manchester Republican isn't sounding worried.

"We'll have to be reactive. There's no doubt. But until we know the final product... I'm not getting overly exercised about what's going on in DC," he told WUKY, noting the sometimes unpredictable process by which legislation in Frankfort can "go in like an ant and come out like an elephant."

But in a brief floor debate on the new cut to state income taxes, a handful of Democrats, including Louisville's Karen Berg, sounded a note of caution.

"With the risk that we are facing now with our bourbon industry and tariffs, even with our battery plants, and whether or not the new federal administration is going to be in favor of electric vehicles — which it looks like they may not be — we are putting way too many apples in a basket that we can't get a hold of if we need," she warned.

So far, that level of anxiety isn't showing up in Republicans' public statements.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.