Kentucky leaders push for statewide expansion of Pre-K in 2026 budget

By News Reporter Gabby Cedano

In a significant show of bipartisan support, leaders across Kentucky are rallying behind Governor Andy Beshear’s “Pre-K for All” initiative.

A total of 63 county judge executives, 31 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) have formally urged the General Assembly to prioritize statewide Pre-K for all 4-year-olds in the upcoming 2026 budget session.

Since the initiative's launch in May, the momentum has surged. More than 60,000 Kentuckians have contacted their legislators to express support for expanded preschool access. Additionally, community town halls hosted by the Team Kentucky initiative revealed strong public approval, with nearly 90% of attendees favoring increased investment in early childhood education. Beshear says more than half of Kentucky’s children are not kindergarten ready and he was happy to say KASS endorsed the “Pre-K for All” initiative.

Beshear welcomes the support and notes that the initiative has received cross-party endorsements. Beshear says the level of support, from leaders across political lines, confirms that early education is not a partisan issue, it's a Kentucky issue. “Pre-K for All” will strengthen Kentucky’s workforce, reduce costs for families and give every child a stronger start.

Three formal letters, each signed by their respective groups and delivered to the General Assembly, underscore the urgency behind the call to action. In a joint message, the mayors and judge executives emphasized, their communities can’t afford to wait. They believe that investing in early education supports working families and fuels local economic growth.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman says everyone was there to stand together and affirm that Kentucky needs Pre-K for All. She explained that the initiative will expand access to childcare and early learning, provide parents and caregivers with more options and help families save money. Additionally, she believes it will create jobs and strengthen the workforce. She emphasized that Pre-K for All is not a political issue but simply the right thing to do for Kentucky. She urged the General Assembly to make the initiative a top priority in the 2026 budget.

KASS Executive Director Dr. Jim Flynn also expressed a readiness to collaborate with state lawmakers. He says superintendents across the state are eager to be part of a solution and that everyone must act now to ensure Kentucky’s children are not left behind, believing that they are Kentucky’s future leaders, problem-solvers and workforce.

To learn more about the benefits and initiative of Pre-K for All and/or to see how you can get involved, visit prek4all.ky.gov.