In a strong bipartisan effort, leaders across Kentucky are backing Governor Andy Beshear’s “Pre-K for All” initiative.
A total of 63 county judge executives, 31 mayors, and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) have formally urged the General Assembly to make statewide Pre-K for all 4-year-olds a top priority in the 2026 budget session.
Since its launch in May, the initiative has gained remarkable traction. Over 60,000 Kentuckians have reached out to their legislators to support expanded preschool access. Town halls organized by the Team Kentucky initiative revealed overwhelming public approval — nearly 90% of participants favored greater investment in early childhood education. Beshear noted that more than half of Kentucky’s children aren’t kindergarten ready and praised KASS for endorsing the “Pre-K for All” plan.
Governor Beshear welcomed the growing bipartisan support, emphasizing that early education is not a partisan issue but a Kentucky issue. He said the program would strengthen the workforce, lower costs for families, and give every child a stronger start in life.
Three formal letters, signed by each supporting group and sent to the General Assembly, highlight the urgency behind the initiative. In a joint statement, mayors and judge executives stressed that their communities can’t afford to wait, noting that investing in early education boosts working families and drives local economic growth.
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman reaffirmed the administration’s commitment, saying everyone stood together to declare that Kentucky needs Pre-K for All. She explained that the initiative will expand childcare and early learning access, give families more options, and help them save money. Coleman added that it will also create jobs and strengthen the state’s workforce, calling it “not a political issue but the right thing to do for Kentucky.” She urged lawmakers to make it a top priority in the upcoming budget.
KASS Executive Director Dr. Jim Flynn said superintendents are ready to collaborate with lawmakers. He emphasized that now is the time to act to ensure Kentucky’s children — the state’s future leaders, problem-solvers, and workforce — aren’t left behind.
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