Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear gave his first State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday night in Frankfort.
Beshear says the state of the commonwealth is strong and ready to face its challenges.
The drug epidemic is one of those challenges which Governor Beshear calls the battle of our times. He praised new Attorney General Daniel Cameron for continuing lawsuits against opioid producers.
The governor called for an amendment to the Kentucky constitution that would automatically restore voting rights to non-violent felons who have served their sentences.
He says he supports legislation to end surprise medical billing and to protect healthcare coverage for Kentuckians with pre-existing conditions.
Echoing points from his campaign, Beshear called for funding in the next biennial budget to give teachers a pay raise.
Governor Beshear says he’ll be introducing an education-first spending plan when he gives his budget address in two weeks and he supports legislation proposed in the House that would legalize sports betting in the Commonwealth and create new revenue.
The governor says a high incarceration rate hurts Kentucky’s present and future and he is calling for additional criminal justice reform.
Beshear noted the presence of his father, former Governor Steve Beshear, and noted his father’s heritage in Dawson Springs and education in the Dawson Springs Independent School System.