Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 2, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, the 2026 Governor's Derby Celebration poster, the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail, workplace safety, Safe Digging Month and Medicaid cuts in the state budget. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman shared new options for online boat registration renewal. Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, provided an update on the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative. The Governor named Kentucky State Police (KSP) Trooper Paul Thomas as this week's Team Kentucky All-Star.

Economic Development
Gov. Beshear announced further momentum within the state's speed-to-market and site development initiatives as 16 projects supporting future job growth and investment across 18 counties were approved for $12.4 million in state funding to improve Kentucky's available sites.

Governor's Derby Celebration Poster
Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Coleman joined Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Matt Gibson during the Team Kentucky Update for the official unveiling of the 2026 Governor's Derby Celebration poster, featuring a painting by artist Alexandrea Pangburn. The public will have the opportunity to purchase the 2026 Governor's Derby Celebration poster later this month.

Online Boat Registration Renewal
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced that Team Kentucky is making it easier for boat owners to stay current on registrations with the launch of a new online renewal option that began on April 1. Boat owners can now skip a trip to their local county clerk's office and renew their registration online to save valuable time.

Our Healthy Kentucky Home
Dr. Stack provided an update on Our Healthy Kentucky Home, an initiative to promote simple, positive and attainable goals to inspire and motivate Kentuckians on a journey to health and wellness. Over the next few months, the initiative is focusing on teen and young adult health. Dr. Stack emphasized nutrition, physical activity, healthy social connections and mental health as key components of health for teens and young adults. He also highlighted resources such as healthychildren.org, Kentucky Youth Thrive and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Kentucky African American Heritage Trail
The Governor announced the addition of 10 new sites along the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail, which celebrates and showcases African Americans' contributions to both Kentucky and the nation. Click here to view a full list of sites on the trail.

Record Low Worker Injury Rate
Gov. Beshear announced that, following Team Kentucky's work to enforce workplace safety and provide resources for employers, Kentucky's workplace injury and illness rate has dropped to a new all-time low of 2.5 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. The previous record was set in the Governor's first term. This is also the first time Kentucky's incidence rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses has declined to below the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Governor encouraged employers to continue to partner with Team Kentucky to ensure their facilities are as safe as possible. Visit KYSAFE.ky.gov to learn more.

Safe Digging Month
The Governor was joined by members of the Public Service Commission to recognize April as Safe Digging Month in the commonwealth. Gov. Beshear reminded Kentucky homeowners who may be preparing for home improvement projects, landscaping or construction work to call or visit the 811 website before digging. Utility lines like electricity, fiber optics, gas and water lie below the surface, and 811 provides around-the-clock underground facility location services.

Medicaid Cuts in the State Budget
On April 1, the Kentucky General Assembly passed its state budget. The Governor said there are major areas of concern with the budget and highlighted one of the biggest concerns: Medicaid. The state legislature made a $2.8 billion cut over two fiscal years to the state's Medicaid budget and passed legislation that limits the state's ability to keep Medicaid costs down.

Gov. Beshear said cuts to Medicaid will fuel across-the-board pay cuts for health-care workers at hospitals and clinics. Hospitals may have to cut maternity wards or other services. Kentuckians may not be able to see a doctor in their own community, even in a life-threatening emergency.

"This is cruel and shortsighted, and it risks the lives of our people. We should be expanding health care access to protect the lives of Kentuckians. But through the actions of the General Assembly, more lives will be at risk," said Gov. Beshear. "We shouldn't be in this position. I put forward a budget proposal that fully funded Medicaid, even with the increasing costs. But the political games and hard lines drawn by this General Assembly led us here."

Team Kentucky All-Star
The Governor named KSP Trooper Paul Thomas as this week's Team Kentucky All-Star following Trooper Thomas's recognition as one of four finalists from across the United States for the International Association of Chiefs of Police Trooper of the Year Award. The recognition follows Trooper Thomas's heroic actions to neutralize a dangerous situation and save the life of a Kentucky woman in January of last year.

"Trooper Thomas put himself in harm's way to successfully save the life of a Kentuckian, and this national recognition is well-deserved," said Gov. Beshear. "Trooper, I hope you know how grateful all of Kentucky is for your work and the work of your colleagues. Your courage and dedication are clear, which is why I'm proud to name you this week's Team Kentucky All-Star."

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