Rep. Thomas talks 2026 legislative goals, what a state budget might look like

Soon, the gavel will hammer at the state capitol in Frankfort, as the Kentucky General Assembly gathers for the 2026 session—and they’ll have a lot to tackle when they get there.

The main thing on the agenda is a two-year spending plan, and Governor Andy Beshear is actually calling for spending cuts in the face of a funding shortfall of roughly $156 million. Speaking with WHOP News, Representative Walker Thomas says he’s actually glad to see such a request from the Governor’s Office, because he feels that in the past, the governor has been too happy to spend money.

Thomas represents a portion of Christian and Trigg counties, and represents all of Caldwell County. He says there are a lot of local infrastructure projects he would like to see make it into a budget, and he wants to see solid progress at the Ascend Elements site in Christian County.

As for legislation he personally will be filing, one bill would help protect civil air service members by guaranteeing them a little job security while they travel for work.

Representative Thomas says another bill he intends to file would help out smaller boards and commissions where it comes to audit services, as risings costs and inflation are making it so they’re having to meet that audit burden more and more often.

There will be plenty to consider when the state legislators meets back up starting on January 6, and they’ll have until med-April to get all legislation, including a state budget, passed.