Kentucky’s newly-elected statewide constitutional officers were ceremonially sworn in Tuesday morning in Frankfort, and the Kentucky General Assembly kicked off the first of a 60-day legislative session the same afternoon.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Governor Andy Beshear were among distinguished guests in attendance at the Capitol rotunda for the ceremony, which saw Attorney General Russell Coleman, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Auditor Allison Ball, and Treasurer Mark Metcalf all sworn in for their first-terms. In contrast, Secretary of State Michael Adams was sworn in for a second term.
The Kentucky House of Representatives gaveled in at noon along with the Kentucky Senate, where rules were adopted by each body and several bills and resolutions were introduced.
The biggest policy item facing the Kentucky General Assembly in 2024 is the 2-year state budget, the funding mechanism for state government in the Commonwealth over that period. Governor Beshear unveiled his budget proposal in late December, while the House is expected to hear its version of the budget in the coming weeks.
Governor Beshear is slated to give his State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. ET.
All 100 seats of the Kentucky House and 17 seats in the 38-member Senate are up for reelection in November, and the deadline for candidates to file is Friday, Jan. 5, 2023.
