Attorney General Cameron Challenges EPA’s Approval of a Ban on Gas-Powered Vehicles

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 13, 2023) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron joined a 19-state coalition contesting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to allow California to ban certain gas-powered vehicles, including trucks and vans. The coalition’s lawsuit challenges the EPA’s special treatment of California.

Under the Clean Air Act, California may seek a waiver to impose its own vehicle emissions standards, something no other state is allowed to do. Here, California requested and received a waiver from the EPA. That waiver greenlights California’s requirement that, by 2035, all buses, vans, trucks, and tractor-trailers abandon gas and diesel power and shift to electric power alternatives. Because of California’s influence on the vehicle market, the rule will impact consumers across the nation and lead to higher prices for everything from food to automobiles.

“This is Democrats’ latest move to surrender America to a woke climate agenda,” said Attorney General Cameron. “I joined this coalition to keep the Biden Administration’s California values from infecting Kentucky and to protect the livelihoods of the thousands of families that depend on the trucking industry.”

A ban of this kind would be exorbitantly expensive. Prices for electric trucks start around $100,000 and can reach the high six figures. California’s rule would also devastate the demand for liquid fuels like biodiesel and cut trucking jobs across the country. In the Bluegrass State alone, the trucking industry provides almost 113,000 jobs.

This is Attorney General Cameron’s latest effort to fight President Biden’s extreme climate agenda and protect the economies of energy states like Kentucky.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Cameron led a 19-state coalition in opposing the EPA’s excessive regulation of air quality standards. And, in April he sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy rebuking a regulation that would make illegal over 50 percent of gas stoves currently on the market.

Attorney General Cameron was joined by attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia in filing suit.

To read a copy of the lawsuit, click here.

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Gov. Beshear Announces $1 Million To Support
Older Adults in West Louisville

Funds will be used to renovate ElderServe’s Adult Day Health Center, a community space for seniors that will offer memory care services

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 12, 2023) – Today, continuing his support of health care for aging Kentuckians, Gov. Andy Beshear announced $1 million in funding to the City of Louisville to renovate the Adult Day Health Center at ElderServe. The newly renovated space will offer services to aid in memory care and cognitive function as well as recreational activities under the care of medical staff.

This announcement comes just months after ElderServe reopened its doors in March after briefly pausing operations. The new Adult Day Health Center provides older adults in West Louisville with programs that improve their quality of life and well-being.

“Today’s announcement will have a big impact on memory care for our aging Kentuckians and will expand on the community ElderServe has already built here in West Louisville,” said Gov. Beshear. “Caring for folks when they need us most is part of our Kentucky values. When we live up to those values, we build a better Kentucky for everyone.”

“At metro government, our goal every day is to make Louisville a safer, stronger and healthier city,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “The work happening here at ElderServe is an important part of that goal. Giving seniors a place to gather to eat together, take classes together and find community and connection is incredibly important. I am excited for the clients, staff and everyone who will be a part of this organization’s bright future.”

The services at the Adult Day Health Center will provide affordable health care options for senior citizens and will help Kentuckians who have older family members in need of assistance. Caretakers will be able to go to work or school without worrying if an older loved one is in a safe environment. This investment helps address the need for quality senior health care options in West Louisville.

“This center will play a crucial role in providing affordable and accessible care for older adults,” said Tim Findley, CEO of ElderServe. “We realize that so many caregivers have limited resources to provide care for their loved ones while also balancing work and other responsibilities. We at ElderServe seek to lead the charge in supporting the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers. This is monumental!”

Renovation activities will include the installation of new windows and doors, painting, new flooring and ceilings, HVAC and electrical upgrades, plumbing and large handicapped accessible restrooms with grab bars.

Gov. Beshear has repeatedly made investments in the well-being of older adults across Kentucky.

In August 2022, he announced the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, to provide aging Kentuckians with a variety of home- and community-based services at a more affordable level. In June 2022, the Governor announced $1 million in funding to build a new senior center in Pikeville. In November 2022, he announced  $764,560 to rehabilitate the Grand Towers Senior Housing multifamily housing building located in Newport. During the height of the pandemic, Gov. Beshear prioritized fast-tracking Medicaid enrollment, garnering national recognition.

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GENERAL FUND AND

ROAD FUND RECEIPTS FOR MAY 2023
General Fund receipts decreased 7.2 percent, Up 3.4 percent Year-to-Date
Road Fund receipts increased 11.2 percent, Up 4.7 percent Year-to-Date

     FRANKFORT, KY – (Monday, June 12, 2023) – The Office of State Budget Director reported today that General Fund receipts declined by 7.2 percent in May compared to May 2022.  Total revenues for the month were $1,146.0 million. This is only the third time that May receipts exceeded $1.0 billion. Receipts have now grown 3.4 percent for the first 11 months of FY23.  Individual income tax receipts declined by $148 million due to the 10 percent reduction in the tax rate and a higher amount of tax refunds. Sales and gross receipts rose by 6.2 percent, or $40.0 million, and earnings on investment rose by $19.4 million. General Fund receipts are still on pace to result in a third consecutive year with a budget surplus in excess of $1 billion.

State Budget Director John Hicks commented on the May receipts. “Year-over-year monthly revenue declines are now to be expected given the reduction to the individual income tax rate that became effective January 2023. The payroll withholding base continues to rise reflecting higher total Kentucky wages and salaries. The tax rate impact has already been considered in our revenue forecasting.  A revenue surplus in excess of $1.0 billion is still expected when the annual revenue total is compared to the estimate used in the creation of the current budget.”

Among the major accounts:

• Sales and use tax receipts increased 6.2 percent for the month and have grown 10.0 percent year-to-date.
• Corporation income and Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET) tax receipts declined 26.7 percent for the month but have grown 5.1 percent year-to-date.
• Individual income tax collections decreased 25.3 percent, or $147.7 million. All components of the tax were lower than what was collected last May. Prior to the tax rate reduction, individual income tax receipts grew by 8.6 percent through December 2022. Receipts have now decreased 2.2 percent though the 11 months of FY23. May marked the first month in which revenue was collected from the new Pass-Through Entity tax enacted in the 2023 legislative session.  Collections for the month were $175,021.
• Property tax collections grew 3.7 percent in May. The public service as well as omitted and delinquent categories increased in May while the remaining components all decreased.  Year-to-date receipts are up 7.3 percent.
• Cigarette tax receipts fell 10.5 percent in May and are down 10.1 percent year-to-date.
• Coal severance tax receipts had their first monthly decline in FY23, falling 3.3 percent. Collections have increased 41.5 percent through the first eleven months of the fiscal year.

Road Fund receipts for May totaled $165.3 million, an 11.2 percent increase compared to May 2022 levels.  Year-to-date receipts have increased 4.7 percent.  The official Road Fund revenue estimate calls for a 2.7 percent increase in revenues for the fiscal year. The Road Fund is now expected to yield a revenue surplus for FY23.  Based on year-to-date tax collections, revenues can decline 16.7 percent in June and still meet the estimate.  Among the accounts, motor fuels revenue rose 9.5 percent and motor vehicle usage collections grew 10.9 percent.  License and privilege taxes also posted double digit growth with a 24.2 percent, bringing growth through the first 11 months up to 3.1 percent.

Report is available for review: http://www.osbd.ky.gov

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Gov. Beshear Orders Flags to Half-Staff on June 9

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 8, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday, June 9, 2023, in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died in a training exercise.

According to the U.S. Army, Sgt. David M. Solinas Jr., 23, of Oradell, New Jersey, died March 29, when his HH60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky, during a routine training mission. He was assigned to 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Solinas will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday.

Gov. Beshear encourages all individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute. Additional flag status information is available at governor.ky.gov/flag-status.

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