In Frankfort budget talks, ‘working families’ shouldn’t be a punchline | Opinion
A legislator’s voting record matters, but so does their attitude toward the public they serve. Take note of what legislators say and do, too, in addition to how they vote.
During debate on the state budget bills — HB 500 and HB 900 — Republican members of the Kentucky House played on a specially-created “bingo card,” checking off phrases like “poor” and “working families” as Democratic members spoke.
That happened.
And it should not have.
Because this was not just any debate. This was the budget — the most important responsibility the legislature holds. It determines who gets help, who gets left behind, and what priorities define us as a state. And it unfolded within a process that shut many voices out.
HB 500 was developed largely by the Republican Party leadership, with limited opportunity for Democrats to contribute. Lawmakers representing hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians were not meaningfully included in shaping the proposal. We forced our way into the discussion by holding a press conference, flanked by our friends in organized labor. We brought to light the issues with the first draft of HB 500 — things like short-changing the SNAP program and government employees on their health insurance. That light we shone mattered, and resulted in necessary changes to the bill.
HB 900 allowed for more participation, but many of the key decisions had already been made. Even more concerning, lobbyists had access to budget details before Democratic members of the House.
When the budget reached the House floor, all legislators had access to the hundred-plus-page document for the first time. Debate was limited, without purpose or warning. It seemed that the budget debate was ended so that representatives could attend an event that included free pizza and ice cream.
Taken together, these choices — how the budget was written, who had access and input, and how debate was handled—underscore major issues with transparency and inclusion in a process that affects every Kentuckian. They also frame the substance of the budget itself.
Republicans gave tax cuts on premium cigars, while also creating a system to push Kentuckians off Medicaid coverage. At a time when many families are already struggling with the cost of health care, housing, and daily necessities, those policy decisions deserve attention and scrutiny. Just who are the Republicans serving?
Kentucky is facing a growing housing challenge. In communities like Lexington, rising costs are putting homeownership further out of reach and placing increasing pressure on renters. People are finding it harder to live in the communities where they work, and yet there has been little comprehensive action to address affordability. Democrats put forward a Homenibus 2.0, a strategic and robust plan to solve Kentucky’s housing crisis. Republicans dismissed it out of hand.
At the same time, Republican policies have made it easier for short-term rentals to proliferate, further tightening an already constrained housing market. These are serious issues. They are not abstract, and they are not partisan. They affect real people — families, workers, seniors — trying to build stable lives.
That is why the language used in debate matters.
When lawmakers speak about “working families” or those living in poverty, they are not using rhetoric. They are describing the lived experiences of Kentuckians across the commonwealth. Those experiences deserve to be treated with seriousness and respect.
Legislative debate can and should be spirited, and should not be cut short without good reason. Disagreement is part of a healthy democracy. But it should also reflect a shared understanding that the issues before us — health care, housing, economic stability — carry real consequences.
Turning that language into a game, in the middle of a budget debate, should let Kentuckians know that Republicans are “unserious” legislators, to use a word they often bandy about when referring to Democrats. If nothing else, it should be clear to everyone at home that the Republicans of Kentucky do not take the struggles of their constituents seriously.
Kentuckians deserve to have leaders who approach this work with focus, transparency, and a commitment to the people they serve. That includes making room for diverse perspectives, allowing for meaningful debate, and treating the challenges facing our communities with the gravity they deserve.
The budget is more than a document; it is a reflection of our values. The way we debate it should reflect our values, too.
Lindsey Burke is the House Democratic Caucus Chair and represents Kentucky’s 75th House District in Lexington.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 5:30 AM.