FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 14, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced additional steps he’s taking to provide relief to Kentucky families as prices continue to rise due to the war in Iran. The Governor also provided updates on the distribution of weather-alert radios to keep Kentucky kids safe, the launch of the state’s 10th electric vehicle fast-charging site, upgrades to the state’s driver licensing system, carbon monoxide safety efforts, investments to improve access to the arts, and grants to reduce waste and keep Kentucky communities clean. He highlighted May as Military Appreciation Month and Mental Health Month and proclaimed next week as Public Works Week in Kentucky. The Governor named Kentucky families, medical professionals and advocates fighting childhood cancer as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Steps To Lower the Cost of Fertilizer and Support Kentucky Small Businesses
Following last week’s announcement on steps to lower regular and diesel gas prices, Gov. Beshear announced further action he is taking to combat rising costs. Today, the Governor sent a letter to Kentucky’s congressional delegation calling for their support of the Homegrown Fertilizer Act, which would reduce fertilizer costs for farmers, reduce dependence on foreign fertilizer and provide grants and low-interest loans to expand production and storage capacity here in the United States.
“My job is to help Kentucky families,” said Gov. Beshear. “Every dollar I can put back in the pockets of Kentuckians is one dollar more for the things that matter.”
Gov. Beshear also discussed an executive order he signed this week creating the Team Kentucky Council on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, which will help provide guidance on how Kentucky can best support small businesses. The council includes 15 leaders from across the commonwealth with expertise in small business.
Weather-Alert Radios for Youth Camps
Ahead of summer, Gov. Beshear announced that Team Kentucky has worked with local Emergency Management offices to secure weather-alert radios for 34 youth summer camps to keep children, counselors and staff safe from severe weather. The radios were donated by Estill County following the end of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, which closed out after destruction of the chemical weapons arsenal at the Blue Grass Army Depot in 2023.
Team Kentucky continues working with local officials and summer camps to determine the need for additional radio disbursement. To request a weather-alert radio for your camp, contact Stay Alert Camps Program Manager Charlie Harris through Kentucky Emergency Management at charlie.harris@ky-em.org or 502-607-5707.
Driver Licensing
Last month, Gov. Beshear announced that a new, modernized driver licensing system and online portal will be launching this June, providing online services that help reduce wait times at regional offices and minimize paperwork. The Governor reminded Kentuckians that all Driver Licensing Regional Offices will close June 4-5 to transfer systems. Offices will reopen Monday, June 8, operating under the new platform. Walk-in hours will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. through June 18 to allow for a smooth transition.
This effort builds on recent steps Team Kentucky has taken to improve the licensing experience and decrease wait times for Kentuckians. Statewide average walk-in customer times have dropped to just 14 minutes, down from 49 minutes in April 2025.
Expansion of Kentucky’s Electric Vehicle Charging Network
The Governor announced this week marked the launch of Kentucky’s 10th electric vehicle fast-charging site at Casey’s in Bowling Green. The new site joins those in Berea, Campton, Glasgow, Grayson, Hazard, Morehead, Paducah, Richmond and Sparta that have been completed through the federally funded National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The EV Charging Program aims to expand the network of EV chargers across the state.
“Team Kentucky knows that EVs are no longer the technology of the future, they’re here now,” said Gov. Beshear. “Families and businesses shouldn’t have to travel our state and worry about where their next charge is coming from, and with our steadily expanding charging network, they won’t have to.”
Military Appreciation Month
Gov. Beshear recognized May as Military Appreciation Month. This recognition builds on efforts by Team Kentucky to support military members and their families. Gov. Beshear has signed legislation to make it easier for military spouses to earn occupational licenses in Kentucky and to expand the Military Family Assistance Trust Fund.
Gov. Beshear’s administration has worked to help military families get access to quality childcare and celebrated schools who support military children through the Purple Star School Award.
Mental Health Month
Gov. Beshear continued to recognize May as Mental Health Month in Kentucky, highlighting the life-saving impact that the implementation of the 988 Lifeline has had in Kentucky. Since launching nearly four years ago, the 988 Lifeline has fielded 265,000 calls, chats and texts from Kentuckians.
Kentucky’s Statewide Carbon Monoxide Safety Initiative
During Building Safety Month, Gov. Beshear recognized building inspectors and code officers across Kentucky for their work. The Governor gave an update on Team Kentucky’s initiative, launched in January, that focuses on safety around carbon monoxide.
Since that announcement, the Beshear administration has partnered with local building personnel and the Department of Education to visit schools throughout the state to inspect heating and ventilation systems, including performing carbon monoxide readings. In these four months, 125 building inspections have been completed in 21 school districts across the state. These inspections revealed 26 potential safety issues that were corrected with minimal or no disruption to the school day, with most issues fixed the same day.
Public Works Week
Gov. Beshear proclaimed May 17-23 as Public Works Week in Kentucky. The Governor recognized the workers who improve and maintain Kentucky’s roads, water systems, public buildings and all public infrastructure across the commonwealth.
Investments To Improve Access to the Arts
The Governor announced $50,000 in funding to support arts programs that promote health, wellness and community connection. The awards will go to 12 nonprofit organizations across the commonwealth and are made available through Arts Access Assistance grants, which support nonprofit organizations that use arts-based strategies to address community needs, including mental health, recovery and social connection.
Funding To Reduce Waste and Support Clean Communities
Gov. Beshear announced $6 million in grants for projects aimed at reducing solid waste in landfills and improving the management of hazardous household waste. The funding, which comes from state dollars supported through the Kentucky Pride Fund, will be provided to municipalities, universities and fiscal courts for 68 projects across the commonwealth.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
Gov. Beshear named all Kentucky families fighting childhood cancer, as well as medical professionals and advocates, as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
This week, Gov. Beshear proclaimed May as Brain Tumor Awareness Month, May 17 as DIPG Awareness Day and May 21 as David Turner Jr. Ice Cream Day. During that event, Gov. Beshear presented $14 million in state funding to the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund. These dollars will fund research and support for Kentucky kids and their families who are battling this disease. The next request for grant applications will be available soon on the Trust Fund’s website.
In total, Kentucky has dedicated more than $45 million in state funding to childhood cancer research and family support during the Beshear administration, making the commonwealth a national leader on this issue.
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