Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is calling for unity in Republican-leaning Kentucky to improve the economy and education

FRANKFORT, Ky.– Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear reached across the partisan divide Wednesday night to urge a concerted effort by Republican lawmakers to improve education, health care and the economy, saying Kentucky has an opportunity to assert itself as a 'economic and moral leader'.

Beshear, who raised his national profile by winning reelection in the GOP-leaning state last year, renewed his push for higher teacher salaries, state-supported pre-K education for every four-year-old, increased funding for roads and bridges and efforts to meet the health needs of the state.

The governor touted a record pace of economic development and said Kentucky has an unprecedented opportunity to build a top 10 economy that offers the security of good-paying jobs. Noting that his term is now limited, the governor said this is an opportunity to put politics aside. It's an acknowledgment that he needs support from the Republican Party's legislative supermajorities to achieve his priorities.

“This is our chance to heal the divisions,” Beshear said in his annual State of the Commonwealth address. 'To prove that we can govern without name-calling or scapegoating. To do it without anger, without fear and without hatred. That we can not only talk about our collective faith, but that we can also live it.”

Beshear had frequent policy clashes with Republican lawmakers during his first term, and the prospects are uncertain that there will be less friction during the legislative session that just took place this week.

The governor focused on his immediate priorities during the current term, but also adopted a long-term vision at the start of his second term.

“Improving life here at home is the most important focus we can have,” Beshear said. “And the next four years are our opportunity – Kentucky's opportunity – to make a difference, to be both an economic and a moral leader in this country.”

The governor outlined his wish list for the next two-year state budget in a televised address last month. He reiterated those priorities Wednesday night, calling for an 11% pay increase for teachers and all other public school employees, and funding for pre-K.

“We are right to be concerned about learning loss,” Beshear said. “So we have to tackle it where it starts.”

He also made another plea for child care relief, with funding to help protect child care programs from the loss of pandemic-era federal subsidies, and called for another massive infusion of funding for transportation and clean water projects.

Passing the next budget will be the top priority for lawmakers during this year's 60-day legislative session.

The governor said a commitment to meeting the mental and physical health needs of Kentuckians is not only an investment in improving lives, but also in strengthening the state's workforce.

“We need all our people to be healthy enough to be part of this future and the prosperity it will bring,” he said. “So let's continue to expand access to quality health care for all our people.”

To strengthen law enforcement, Beshear called for higher pay for Kentucky State Police troopers and officers. He proposed an increase in training compensation for local law enforcement officers and requested $35 million to fund grants for bulletproof vests.