Beshear: ‘We’re Not Looking at the Same Kentucky Anymore’

The time of tired of tropes is over for Kentucky; Governor Andy Beshear said in his 5th State of the Commonwealth address as governor as he highlighted cutting-edge technology projects happening across the state.

Calling the state ‘Our New Kentucky Home,’ Beshear touted record-breaking economic and job growth in a sparsely attended joint session of the General Assembly.

Put simply: We’re not looking at the same Kentucky anymore,” Beshear said Wednesday evening. “That’s why now is the time to reintroduce ourselves to the world, to leave the stereotypes of the past behind us, and to welcome the world to our New Kentucky Home. Our New Kentucky Home is a place where the pace of business is fast, but the pace of life is just right. Our New Kentucky Home is a place where our economy is booming, and our people live good lives.”

Over the next three years, Beshear promised to stay laser-focused on working with others to address the real-life worries of Kentuckians. Worries like having a good job, more affordable and accessible health care, safer roads and bridges, the best public education, and safe communities.

The Governor also highlighted Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing, which made the third-largest jobs announcement of his administration. In November, the company announced it was moving into a 1 million-square-foot building where Kentuckians will make the large-scale storage batteries that will bring reliability to our power grid and that powered last year’s Super Bowl. This project is creating 1,572 skilled, high-tech jobs.

Also, during Wednesday’s speech, the Governor continued to push for pay raises for educators, universal pre-K for all Kentucky 4-year-olds, and a statewide talent attraction program.

He also called on lawmakers to help keep Kentucky’s momentum going by simply taking the way Kentuckians live their daily lives and applying it to Frankfort.

“These small acts of love – they grow. The kindness we show others – it compounds,” he said. “So, Kentucky, this year, let’s double down. Let’s push out all the toxic noise we hear on TV and social media. But let’s do more. Let’s all show more compassion and forgiveness to one another.”

Finally, he urged the General Assembly to be thoughtful, even prayerful, about the bills they choose to pass this 30-day legislative session. He talked about the recent Christmas season and how God chose Mary, an unwed teenager he favored above all others.

“To me, God’s selection of Mary is a profound statement about how we should treat one another, about being able to see the face of God in those others might judge.”

The Governor continued: “So, please be thoughtful of how legislation treats those suffering from poverty or addiction, how it treats the homeless or the hopeless. Do we make more room at our tables – or in our prisons? Do we recognize the difference between the carrot or the stick is the difference between feeding or beating? I hope and pray that God grants us the wisdom to see beyond today's anger to the possibility and promise of tomorrow.”

Watch the entire State of the Commonwealth address from Gov. Andy Beshear.