This week, the Kentucky Senate passed its version of the state’s biennial budget which spends significantly less than the spending plan passed weeks ago by the House, despite adding $250 million more to the state's rainy day fund than the House’s proposal. Part of that savings comes from eliminating funding for full-day kindergarten, spending less than the House proposed on local school districts' transportation costs, decreasing inflated pension funding and removing over $80 million set aside for KentuckyWired, the state-run broadband boondoggle.

Public employees at public postsecondary schools can thank Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, for potentially not having to publicly disclose their COVID vaccination status to their employers. House Bill 28, which passed the House by a 71-22 vote and now awaits action in the Senate, also prohibits schools from requiring public postsecondary students from being forced to reveal whether they’ve been vaccinated and stops public entities from requiring vaccine passports and is currently headed to the Senate.

Rep. Regina Huff, R-Williamsburg, is sponsoring a bill that would require local school board districts to allow for a 15-minute public comment period at meetings. Meanwhile, in response to school board meetings across the country boiling over with angry parents, Benton Republican Sen. Danny Carroll filed a resolution that “urges Kentucky's school leaders, school board members, parents, teachers, school staff, students, and community members to exercise the utmost civility and respect when engaging in public or private interactions that are taking place as part of the operation of Kentucky's education system.”

Lastly, the Senate passed legislation designed to protect young female athletes by banning boys - regardless of gender identity - in grades 6-12 from playing girls’ sports. That bill moves on to the House Education Committee for consideration next week.