FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 16, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on a budget surplus and property tax rate decrease for the commonwealth, as well as economic development, transportation funding, efforts to clean up and redevelop brownfields, affordable housing, Recovery Ready Communities, the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program, the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, Pre-K Pilot Programs and Disability Pride Month. The Governor named Owen County native John Brumback as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star following Brumback’s recognition as the Best Bank Pool Player in American History by the Best in Billiards.
7th Consecutive Budget Surplus, Property Tax Rate Decrease
Following a report from the Office of the State Budget Director that General Fund receipts for fiscal year 2026 saw a 1.7% increase, marking the seventh consecutive budget surplus for the commonwealth, Gov. Beshear recognized the opportunities this provides the state, including for the General Assembly to address some of its budget cuts to critical programs like the Department for Community Based Services, Medicaid, senior meals and more. The report is unexpected good news after the official budget estimate in December 2025 called for a $156 million revenue shortfall. For more, see the full release.
In more good news, the Governor announced the commonwealth’s real property tax rate has dropped for the sixth consecutive year, decreasing to 10.3 cents per $100 of assessed value in 2026, which will help Kentucky families save money when prices are too high.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted continued economic success across the commonwealth as two Kentucky counties were recognized in the top 20 per capita and one county in the top 20 for total projects in Site Selection magazine’s rankings of America’s Best Counties released this week.
Last week, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined local officials and leadership from Zotefoams to cut the ribbon on the $13.8 million expansion of the company’s North American headquarters in Walton. This year also represents Zotefoams’ 25th anniversary of its operations in Northern Kentucky.
Funding for Transportation Upgrades
Gov. Beshear announced that Team Kentucky has secured three federal grants totaling $73 million to increase designated truck parking spaces at rest areas, replace the historic Singing Bridge in downtown Frankfort and expand Paducah’s main riverport. The funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Governor also thanked Kentucky’s congressional delegation for their support in the state’s receiving the funding.
Click here for a Good News update on the Singing Bridge project.
Funding To Clean Up and Redevelop Brownfields
Gov. Beshear announced that six Kentucky communities and agencies are set to receive $11.5 million in grant federal funding to assess, clean up and redevelop “brownfields” – industrial and commercial properties that are known or suspected to contain contaminants.
New Affordable Housing
Gov. Beshear provided an update on affordable housing that Team Kentucky is supporting across the commonwealth. In Western Kentucky, Team Kentucky is partnering with the Kentucky Housing Corp. to provide over $200 million to build nearly 1,000 rental units. This is the single largest housing announcement in Kentucky’s history. These funds are helping build 11 developments across four counties, all of which are now under construction. At one of the developments, Echo Trail in Bowling Green, the first building is available for leasing this month.
In Eastern Kentucky, Team Kentucky is supporting eight high-ground communities that are planned to provide more than 500 new homes out of the flood plain. At Skyview in Perry County, nearly 30 of the almost 100 planned homes are complete. Two Kentuckians closed on homes at Skyview today with more closings to come soon. Two of the high-ground communities are complete: Thompson Branch in Letcher County and the Wayland Community in Floyd County.
Recovery Ready Communities
To continue the work that has led to Kentucky’s four straight years of declines in overdose deaths, Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Meade, Pike and Wolfe counties are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities. More than 2.2 million Kentuckians now have access to enhanced addiction treatment and recovery services across 42 counties certified as Recovery Ready.
Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program
The Governor announced that the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program is receiving a 22% increase in funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services at no cost to those who qualify. The number of women screened by the program has increased steadily since 2022. Visit the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program website to learn more.
Four Years of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Kentucky
The Governor recognized the four-year anniversary of the launch of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in Kentucky. In 2022, the Beshear administration implemented the easy-to-remember, three-digit mental health crisis hotline, which is available 24/7. Since then, trained counselors have answered over 155,000 calls, 33,000 text messages and 19,000 online chats from Kentuckians.
Team Kentucky has 14 in-state call centers – and staff at these centers answer the phone at an average rate of 25 seconds, which is 10 seconds faster than the national average. There has also been a 100% increase in calls routed to in-state community mental health centers since the launch of 988.
“These numbers represent thousands of people supported – and possibly, lives saved,” said Gov. Beshear. “I want to thank the team members at our community mental health centers who answer these calls, take the time to talk to our people, make referrals for services and make follow-up calls to ensure people know someone cares. Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you are struggling, you are not alone, and Team Kentucky is here to support you.”
Pre-K Pilot Programs
On Tuesday, Gov. Beshear announced the expansion of the Pre-K Pilot Programs to Franklin County Schools and Glasgow Independent Schools, bringing the total school districts served through the program to four. Since May, the Governor and his administration have increased childcare access for nearly 3,000 additional children across the commonwealth through two major announcements.
Disability Pride Month
The Governor recognized July as Disability Pride Month. This coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The Governor was joined by team members from the Department for Aging and Independent Living and the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
“Team Kentucky has made it a priority to ensure that people with disabilities have equal and accessible opportunities in healthcare, education, housing and more,” said Gov. Beshear. “Every single person should have the support they need to thrive.”
Team Kentucky All-Star
The Governor named Owen County native John Brumback as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star following Brumback’s recognition as the Best Bank Pool Player in American History by Best in Billiards.
“Over the years, Kentuckians have proven their talent on the national stage. And now, one Kentuckian is being recognized in the world of billiards,” said Gov. Beshear. “Congratulations to John Brumback for this outstanding recognition and congratulations on being named this week’s All-Star.”
###