| As we reach the midpoint of the 2025 Interim Session, I want to share some key developments unfolding in Frankfort, covering everything from driver licensing oversight to major economic investments and important committee work. Driver Licensing Integrity and Ongoing InvestigationsA news report this week brought to light serious allegations of fraud within a Louisville driver’s licensing center. According to whistleblower claims, certain employees issued licenses to individuals illegally in the country, allegedly accepting cash bribes over an extended period. The potential implications for public trust and safety are staggering. As Majority Floor Leader, I stand firmly with Sen. Jimmy Higdon—our chair of the Senate Transportation Committee—in calling for complete transparency and accountability. Sen. Higdon, along with my Senate colleague Aaron Reed, acted swiftly upon learning of these allegations, pressing for answers and launching inquiries to determine just how deep the misconduct may run. I also want to express my deep appreciation for Attorney General Russell Coleman and State Auditor Allison Ball. Both took immediate and decisive action. Attorney General Coleman confirmed his office had already begun investigating the matter alongside federal authorities, and Auditor Ball formally demanded accountability from the administration. Their commitment to truth and accountability is vital to restoring confidence in our institutions. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a matter of good governance. We have seen far too many occasions of administrative failures, lack of transparency, and zero accountability. Our caucus will continue to monitor developments closely and consider legislative reforms to ensure this never happens again. Reforms passed in prior sessions—such as expanding third-party vendor licensing options—are only the beginning. I’m proud to have been one of the 10 Senate members to vote against the bill back in 2020 that moved licensing services out of Circuit Court Clerks’ offices to regional offices. Senator Higdon and others are exploring additional measures for 2026 to improve service access and restore some operations to the county level. I will be supportive of those efforts. The Safer Kentucky Act is workingDespite the gnashing of teeth from some following its passage, House Bill 5 from 2024—the Safer Kentucky Act—is already proving its worth. A recent ruling from the Kentucky Court of Appeals ensures that as many as 175 violent offenders will remain behind bars to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence, rather than being released after serving a mere fraction. This law, enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly, brought long-overdue reform to how Kentucky treats serious crimes like strangulation, attempted murder, and carjacking. On behalf of Kentucky families and victims of crimes, Attorney General Coleman has led a steadfast defense of the law. This is what principled leadership looks like. It ensures justice, restores public confidence, and makes Kentucky safer despite opposition from those who would rather preserve the status quo. Kentucky’s economic momentumWhile we address serious concerns, we also continue to celebrate significant progress in Kentucky’s economic trajectory. The policies we’ve advanced in recent years—lowering income taxes, supporting infrastructure investment, and creating a stable, business-friendly climate—are paying dividends. In just the past few weeks, the following announcements demonstrate our state’s rising profile. Apple and Corning – Harrodsburg: A $2.5 billion investment to expand smartphone glass manufacturing operations, expecting to double the current number of jobs at the facility. This will position Kentucky as a global leader in precision glass production and innovation. Ford Motor Company – Louisville: A $2 billion commitment to retool the Louisville Assembly Plant for next-generation electric vehicles. More than 2,000 jobs are secured in this transition to future mobility. GE Appliances – Louisville: As part of a $3 billion national initiative, GE will reshore major appliance production, bringing more jobs back to Kentucky and the U.S. This announcement and that of Ford are evidence that the America First policies of the Trump administration are working, especially when partnered with the proven policies championed by the Kentucky General Assembly. General Matter – Paducah: This groundbreaking announcement marks the launch of a U.S.-owned uranium enrichment facility, signaling a new era of nuclear energy development in Kentucky, made possible by legislative action lifting the state’s nuclear moratorium, establishing a permanent commission, and investing in this safe, low-carbon energy source as part of Kentucky’s all-of-the-above energy portfolio. The General Matter announcement came on the heels of the Department of Energy selecting Paducah’s gaseous diffusion site as one of the nation’s few locations to focus on innovation and Artificial Intelligence advancement. These aren’t random victories. They’re the result of years of work by the General Assembly to build a policy and regulatory environment conducive to growth and innovation. We are building a Kentucky that not only competes, but leads, both nationally and globally. Committee updates:This week in Frankfort, legislators explored artificial intelligence’s expanding role in Kentucky’s utilities, law enforcement, and economy. Presenters from LG&E and KU outlined how AI is being used in grid management, predictive maintenance, and outage prevention, while the Attorney General’s Office emphasized its potential in cybersecurity and fraud detection, urging lawmakers to adopt clear legal definitions and guardrails. A national expert outlined emerging governance standards to help Kentucky balance innovation with privacy and public trust. In the Government Contract Review Committee, lawmakers scrutinized education-related contracts, raising concerns about “program creep,” insufficient metrics, and the need for fiscal accountability within KDE initiatives. Meanwhile, the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee debated PSC broadband regulations, with property rights at the center. The Kentucky Resources Council warned against utilities granting easement access to broadband providers without explicit legal authority, while PSC officials maintained that existing rules require attachers to secure those rights. A hero’s welcome home 75 years in the makingIn closing, I want to note that this week, PFC Rodger E. Fields, a 20-year-old soldier from Busy, KY, who bravely fell at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War in December 1950, was finally laid to rest with full military honors at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Southeast in Hyden on Thursday. Thanks to modern DNA and anthropological analysis by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, his remains were positively identified on May 15, bringing long-awaited closure to his family nearly 75 years after his sacrifice. As a state and as a nation, we are deeply grateful for his sacrifice and honored to welcome him home to the commonwealth, where his service will never be forgotten. I’ll keep you updated in the weeks ahead. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your state senator. |
