FRANKFORT, Ky. — Recently reelected Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) will deliver his State of the Commonwealth from the House Chamber Wednesday evening. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) will deliver his State of the Commonwealth Wednesday night

  • It is Beshear’s first Commonwealth address speech of his second term

  • He is expected to address Kentucky’s economic success, his budget proposal and vision for the next four years  

  • Republican leadership from the House and Senate will deliver a response afterward

Beshear’s speech, which will be his fifth, will take place in front of a joint session of the House and Senate. Spectrum News 1 will carry the speech live. 

Beshear is expected to speak about his priorities for this year, his second term and the successes of his first four years in office. The governor is also expected to speak about his budget proposal. 

His speech is expected to sound similar to his Inauguration address and budget remarks. During those speeches, Beshear touted year-over-year economic success of Kentucky, ongoing efforts to rebuild following disasters in the western and eastern parts of the state and infrastructure projects such as expanding the Mountain Parkway and building the Brent Spence Companion Bridge without tolls. 

Beshear’s $136.6 billion budget proposal calls for 11% raises for school employees, universal pre-K for four-year-olds and not tapping into the state’s rainy day fund. 

Before the speech, the Republican Party of Kentucky released a statement saying in part, "Kentucky's strength lies in Republican leadership, notably Senate President Stivers and Speaker Osborne. Republicans are committed to a sound budget, tackling rising crime, and addressing our students' educational needs.”

The State of the Commonwealth address will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3. 

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