Kentucky House Democrats unveiled their 2025 legislative platform which consists of 15 bills that focus on five areas: public education, household economics, healthy communities, workers’ rights, public safety and justice reform, during a press conference on Tuesday.
“We’re calling this, ‘Kentucky Forward: A vision for our families,’ because families are at the center of every one of our bills,” said Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville.
Several of the bills align with the legislative agenda of fellow Democrat, Gov. Andy Beshear, with the highest profile being 5 percent pay raises for all public school employees and authorizing Pre-K for every four-year-old in Kentucky.
“I’m proud to be primary sponsor of the bill expanding preschool access, because more than half of incoming kindergartners aren’t ready when they first step into a classroom,” stated Rep. Anne Gay Donworth, D-Lexington. “Pre-K for all would help reverse that troubling trend, while saving money for many families who are having a tough time with childcare costs.”
Another education proposal would call for fully funding mental health services in the state’s public schools, so that goals in the law become reality for students.
Minority Caucus Chair Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, noted, “The caucus platform really puts families front and center, and we stand ready to work with our colleagues across the aisle to pass these vital measures. Several have already been filed, and those that haven’t will be soon.”
They will need help from the Republican supermajority for any of the bills to clear the chamber, since Democrats are outnumbered 80-20 in the House.
Minority Caucus Whip Lindsey Burke of Lexington noted there were many other bills that could have been in the caucus platform and would still be filed. One is a measure that would make the legislative process transparent and accessible to the public.
“We understand there is a limited time when it comes to passing new laws, but the General Assembly has enacted 200 a year since 2021,” Burke added. “Every single bill in our platform deserves to be on the list for 2025.”
The House Democrats say they plan to call another press conference, to offer more details on their other bills.
(Photo: Several House Democrats who introduced their agenda for the rest of the General Assembly session, courtesy of Tom Latek)
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
