Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 25, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, a decline in serious crime in the commonwealth, justice secured in a cold case, the state budget, the state gas tax, Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grants, posthumous pardons in honor of Juneteenth, and Team Kentucky's America250 celebration. The Governor named the Louisville Kings as this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars following their United Football League championship win.

Economic Development
The Governor announced that Ford Motor Co. was approved for state support related to a proposed $2 billion investment at the company's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, building on its $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County.

Gov. Beshear announced exciting momentum within the state's aerospace and technology sectors as Space Tango, a nationally recognized leader in commercial space infrastructure and mission operations, will expand its Lexington operation with a $7.4 million investment, creating 25 quality, good-paying jobs. Twyman Clements, president and co-founder of Space Tango, joined the Governor to make the announcement.

Gov. Beshear announced further momentum within the state's site and building development efforts as more than $6.1 million was approved to support future investment and job creation in Cumberland, Fayette, Madison, Russell and Scott counties through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.

The commonwealth continues to make waves for record economic momentum as Gov. Beshear announced that industry publication Area Development has issued Kentucky its Silver Shovel Award for the second year in a row and named GE Appliances as a Manufacturing Project of the Year.

This week, the Governor joined leaders from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky and local officials to celebrate the all-new RAV4 Hybrid and the groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art, next-generation painting facility at the Georgetown plant, the largest Toyota plant in the world.

Second Consecutive Decline in Serious Crime in the Commonwealth
Gov. Beshear announced that reports of serious crime in the commonwealth decreased for the second year in a row. The 2025 Crime in Kentucky report shows that serious crime dropped by more than 8% compared to 2024. This marks the marks the fifth decrease in reported crime since Gov. Beshear took office and a nearly 22% decrease in reports of serious crime since 2019.

Arrest Made in Decades-Old Sexual Assault Case
Gov. Beshear announced that a decades-old sexual assault investigation has led to an arrest, thanks to the persistence of Kentucky State Police (KSP) detectives and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Investigative Team, as well as advancements in forensic technology. KSP Post 4 announced the arrest of Alberto Campirano, 66, of Texas, in connection with a 36-year-old sexual assault in Hardin County that occurred in 1990 involving a young mother who was home alone with her children when Campirano allegedly entered her home and raped her.

"Team Kentucky will always seek justice, no matter how long it may take," said Gov. Beshear. "To every person out there waiting for their day of justice - please know that we have not given up and we will stand with you until your case is solved. Thank you to the Kentucky State Police for sending a powerful message to those who wish harm on our families."

State Budget and Steps To Help Lee Specialty Clinic
Gov. Beshear addressed concerns Kentuckians have shared about painful cuts made by the General Assembly to Medicaid, behavioral health services and senior meals. While the Governor put forward a balanced budget in January that funded the needs of the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS); maintained both the full funding and full services for providers; fully funded Medicaid; expanded the number of Michelle P. Waiver slots for families of children with autism; and provided the dollars needed for senior meals, the General Assembly chose to create and pass their own budget, with more than $1.2 billion less than the necessary services cost.

One of the hardest hit providers was the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville, which suffered a $4.5 million total reduction. After sharing he was working on a plan to help the clinic in an op-ed published Tuesday, Gov. Beshear today announced he is moving funding from the $400 million annex renovations set for 2029 to fund the Lee Specialty Clinic for the first fiscal year.

"Legislators have claimed I have flexibility to move funds to cover essential services, so I've taken those words as legislative intent, and I'm doing what's needed to help the families who rely on this clinic," said Gov. Beshear. "The Lee Specialty Clinic provides health and dental care for Kentuckians with disabilities and they need - and deserve - these services. But let me be clear, this will be a Band-Aid solution. It would not permanently fix this problem, which we will face again if the legislature does not take action. So, Kentuckians need to call their legislators and ask them to provide the proper funding when they return in January."

"I want to thank everyone from Lee Specialty Clinic who showed up to advocate for this essential program. We will work together to address the gaps in the current budget. But we weren't given enough money to sustain all the work the Cabinet currently does," said Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). "I want to thank Gov. Beshear for his work to take exceptional steps to find additional resources and we look forward to restoring the funding for Lee Specialty Clinic to its fiscal year 2026 level. But Kentuckians' advocacy remains critical."

"Medicaid pay cuts for caregivers and service providers are unacceptable in the midst of an affordability crisis," said State Representative Lindsey Burke. "We don't need building projects nearly as much as disabled Kentuckians and their families need Lee Specialty Clinic to remain open, to have the CHFS cuts reversed and Kentucky's Medicaid program fully funded. The people who came to Frankfort yesterday weren't asking for special treatment. They were asking us to honor our commitments and protect services that allow their loved ones to live with dignity with people who love them."

For Kentuckians who wish to contact their legislators, click here.

Steps To Lower Gas Prices
Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians that his executive order that reduced the gas tax by 10 cents for 37 Kentucky cities and counties where local officials requested an extension is ending on June 30. This action resulted in lower gas and diesel prices across the state. The Governor stated that there will be no further extensions at the state level and called on President Trump to resolve the conflict in Iran, or if the war continues, suspend the federal gas taxes.

"I took several steps to help our families with rising prices, including declaring a state of emergency related to gas prices, freezing the state gas tax and writing letters to Kentucky's congressional delegation and President Trump asking them to suspend the federal gas tax," said Gov. Beshear. "But now, it's time for the President to act. I'm going to continue to find ways to help Kentuckians, but our state cannot continue to carry the burden of bad policies and decisions at the federal level."

Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Grants
Gov. Beshear and Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers announced $6.6 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program funds to support continued economic development and improve water services for two Eastern Kentucky counties.

Posthumous Pardons for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals
Last week, in honor of Juneteenth, Gov. Beshear took executive action to posthumously pardon 43 individuals who had been imprisoned for helping enslaved people escape to freedom. The Governor also proclaimed Friday, June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Team Kentucky America250 Celebration
Gov. Beshear invited Kentuckians to Kentucky Celebrates America250, a free, daylong celebration of American history and Kentucky heritage on Saturday, July 4,

from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT on the Kentucky Historical Society campus in historic downtown Frankfort. The event will be followed by a fireworks finale set to music.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named the Louisville Kings as this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars. In the team's inaugural season, they won the United Bowl, the United Football League's championship.

"Earlier this month, the Louisville Kings beat the DC Defenders in the 2026 United Bowl, bringing the UFL Championship trophy home to Kentucky," said Gov. Beshear. "Even more impressive, this is their very first season. Congratulations to the Louisville Kings team. We're proud to call you this week's Team Kentucky All Stars."

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