Hunger, nutrition and wellness — especially with senior citizens — should be non-partisan issues.

That’s according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who — during a Monday afternoon update with media — peeled back the curtain on the state’s now-expanded senior home-delivered meals program, and how a freshly-ordered $9.1 million reallocation of the state’s budget will allow it to continue mostly unimpeded through the next fiscal year.

Before the 2020 global pandemic, Beshear confirmed that general fund dollars had never been directly allocated to such a program, and that both he and the Kentucky General Assembly opted to work diligently on wiping away waiting lists as COVID-19 thwarted most congregate meals — using American Rescue Plan Act dollars to impact those most vulnerable.

Over the last two months, he noted the confluence of a $300 million state budgeting shortfall caused by national tariffs and inflation, alongside the scheduled ending of ARPA funds, created a pinch that was somewhat addressed when the current two-year budget was drafted in 2024 — but is being fully tended to now.

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Finding $9.1 million to fund the $10 million deficit, he added, wasn’t just some “easy budget transfer,” and required considerable work from the state’s budget director.

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Beshear has asked the Kentucky General Assembly to retroactively approve the movement of these dollars, when they reconvene for the long session in January.

“No Kentuckian,” he said, “should face hunger.” And though glad a temporary solution has been reached, he noted that there must be an “understanding of people’s needs,” while navigating cost controls and procedures for the program — in order to budget and run the programs in the future.

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Understanding these variables is “critical” for next year’s budget, Beshear said, because these kinds of safeguards and fallbacks over the last five years won’t be there.

He called the State House and Senate’s alleged change of heart “wonderful” — when, in March 2022, state legislators and a Republican super-majority voted to end the COVID-19 national emergency, forfeiting essentially $50 million in food assistance.

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Beshear said he hopes to see “the same public servants” push back on the Trump, or any other, administration that will increase hunger with its policies.

ADDs are “passionate, and are helping people,” Beshear said, and he was aware the conversation had been termed “a political football.”

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+ The Governor’s office made contact with Area Development District officials Monday, and Beshear said the $9.1 million will have to go “as far as it can.”

+ This funding, Beshear said, will be a direct agreement between the Kentucky General Assembly and the Executive Branch.

+ Beshear said the cost of this program, as it is now, was in excess of any asks on the table in 2024 — be it the Department of Aging and Independent Living, the Kentucky General Assembly and/or the Area Development Districts.

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+ A shortfall under 5% of the entire budget can be addressed by the Executive Branch, and Beshear said this one is.

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+ Asked if using terms like “The Big Ugly Bill” helps bridge the recent gap between Democrats and Republicans, especially with a visit alongside Ohio leadership soon coming, Beshear said harmful legislation should be addressed.

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FULL AUDIO:

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