Bluegrass Institute president and CEO Jim Waters issued the following statement in response to Gov. Andy Beshear’s decision to convene a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly on Wednesday:

We applaud Gov. Beshear and legislative leaders for the restraint they showed in agreeing to limit the agenda for a special called session to focusing on providing additional resources in the aftermath of the death and devastation caused by the flooding in Eastern Kentucky in recent weeks which resulted in President Biden issuing a Major Disaster Declaration.

The agenda calls for establishing a fund to assist Eastern Kentucky similar to the SAFE Act, created by legislators earlier this year during the regular General Assembly session to aid communities and citizens in the western part of the commonwealth as a result of December’s vicious tornadoes.

Lawmakers also will consider extending the SAFE Act through June 30, 2026, as well as relaxing attendance requirements for schools in both the eastern and western parts of the commonwealth affected by these distressing disasters.

Our state is better-positioned than ever to provide such relief thanks to a commitment by lawmakers during recent legislative sessions to strengthen the Budget Reserve Trust Fund. At $2.7 billion, Kentucky now has the strongest Rainy Day Fund in its history to deal with the devastation brought by the torrential rains and devastating storms.

Having healthy reserves available means legislators don’t have to spend time looking for the resources to help Kentuckians affected by these events.

Having strong reserves on hand allowed legislators to approve $200 million to assist Western Kentucky immediately after this year’s legislative session convened during the first week in January.

With even-healthier reserves after this year’s budget session, lawmakers will be able to promptly approve a relief package for our fellow Kentuckians, many of whom have been unable to get federal assistance.

This special session should demonstrate, again, that dealing with natural disasters is one of the primary reasons why Kentucky has, and must continue to maintain, a strong Budget Reserve Trust Fund.

For additional comment, please contact Jim Waters, Bluegrass Institute president and CEO, at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com or (270) 320-4376.