Ahead of the Veto Recess, the General Assembly passed several budget bills for the Governor’s review, including HB 500, the Executive Branch Budget, and HB 900, which funds one-time expenditures across the state. These bills were the result of negotiations in conference committees made up of leadership across parties and chambers.
Executive Branch Budget
HB 500 advances a fiscally responsible plan that maintains strong investments in education, protects essential services, and prepares for long-term financial challenges driven by rising Medicaid costs and economic uncertainty. Exceeding $31 billion across two years, HB 500 makes investments across government including:
- Increases per-pupil funding by two percent in both fiscal years, which equates to over $7 billion from the state’s general fund revenues.
- Supports career and technical education with more than $254 million total, including over $140 million to strengthen locally operated and state-run technical centers.
- Allocates nearly $12 million over the biennium for cancer research and screening, shared equally between the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.
- Establishes a Medicaid “lockbox” of approximately $290 million, requiring legislative approval before funds can be accessed.
- Authorizes the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet to utilize $15 million in the first fiscal year and $10 million in the second fiscal year to support the city of Middletown in constructing a firing range for statewide law enforcement use.
- Provides $5 million in the first fiscal year to the city of Louisville to support the construction of a driving track for statewide law enforcement training use.
- Provides $15 million of previously authorized 2024 funding to the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission, also known as EPIC, which is administratively attached to the University of Kentucky.
One-Time Spending
HB 900 invests $1.7 billion in one-time projects across the Commonwealth. One Louisville was pleased to see more than $160 million invested in the Louisville region, including many One Louisville partner agencies. Louisville-specific funding includes:
- $90 million to Metro Louisville for Downtown Development.
- $17.3 million to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority for improving airfield capacity and leveraging federal grants.
- $3 million to the Louisville Ballet for touring infrastructure, facility improvements, and restoring live music performances.
- $2 million to The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage for programming, deferred maintenance, and staffing.
- $1.3 million to University of Louisville for a Literacy and Numeracy Clinic in West Louisville.
- $2.5 million to University of Louisville in pursuit of National Cancer Institute designation.
- $2.5 million to National Sons of the American Revolution for the creation of an education center.
- $1 million to Down Syndrome of Louisville for operations.
- $750,000 to Canopy KY for operations.
- $2.5 million to Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Alzheimer’s Association.
- $3.2 million to Louisville Orchestra for a statewide harmony tour.
This legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk where he will have line-item veto power. After the Veto Recess the legislature has three working days to override any vetoes and close out remaining business. One Louisville was thrilled to see significant investment in the Louisville community and thanks our many partners, including Louisville Metro Government, for their work to bring investment to the region.