LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
June 23, 2026
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month highlights growing challenge for Kentucky
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to recognize the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on Kentucky families and to raise awareness about a condition that affects tens of thousands of people across the commonwealth.
More than 80,000 Kentuckians age 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to increase as the state’s population continues to age. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a group of disorders that affect memory, thinking, and behavior. It is a progressive disease that worsens over time and ultimately interferes with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and live independently.
As a speech-language pathologist who has spent 25 years specifically treating brain injury, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, I’m glad to see a growing awareness about the unique challenges faced by individuals living with acquired brain injuries. Through my work, I’ve witnessed firsthand how these conditions can impact how an individual processes information, thinks, and communicates with those around them. These individuals, along with their families and caregivers, hold a special place in my heart, especially during this month.
While Alzheimer’s is often associated with memory loss, its effects extend far beyond forgetting names or appointments. Individuals may experience changes in judgment, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and personality. As the disease progresses, many require increasing levels of care and support.
The impact is felt not only by those diagnosed, but also by family members who often become primary caregivers. Across Kentucky, spouses, adult children, and other relatives provide care that allows loved ones to remain in their homes for as long as possible. These responsibilities frequently include managing medications, coordinating medical appointments, handling finances, providing transportation, and assisting with daily living activities.
Caregiving can be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. Many caregivers balance these responsibilities alongside full-time employment and family obligations of their own. As a result, Alzheimer’s disease presents not only a public health challenge but also an economic one.
Kentucky faces additional challenges because many residents live in rural communities where access to specialized healthcare services can be limited. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis, accessing treatment options, and finding support services may require significant travel for some families. Ensuring that resources are available throughout the commonwealth remains an important part of addressing the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers continue to make progress in understanding its causes and developing new treatments. Recent advances have provided additional tools for managing the disease and slowing its progression in certain patients. Continued investment in research remains critical as scientists work toward more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
Awareness is important because early recognition of symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention. Identifying cognitive changes in their early stages allows individuals and families to plan for future care needs, access available resources, and discuss treatment options with healthcare providers.
Brain health is another important part of the conversation. Research continues to show that factors such as regular physical activity, management of chronic health conditions, adequate sleep, social engagement, and lifelong learning may help support cognitive health as people age. While these steps cannot guarantee prevention, they can contribute to overall brain health and quality of life.
As Kentucky’s population grows older, Alzheimer’s disease will remain an issue that affects families in every region of the state. Addressing its challenges will require continued attention from healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, caregivers, and community organizations. It will also require ensuring that families have access to accurate information, support services, and the resources necessary to care for loved ones living with dementia.
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month serves as a reminder that this disease affects real people and real families in communities across Kentucky. By increasing awareness, supporting research, and encouraging early detection, we can help improve outcomes for those living with Alzheimer’s today while working toward better solutions for the future.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181.
You can also contact me via email at marianne.proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
June 14, 2026
Beneath the stars and stripes
Each year on June 14, Americans observe Flag Day, a day set aside to recognize one of our nation’s most familiar and meaningful symbols. Unlike many holidays, Flag Day is not marked by fireworks, large celebrations, or long weekends. Instead, it offers an opportunity to pause and reflect.
The American flag is more than cloth and color. For generations, it has represented the values that unite us as a nation – freedom, opportunity, service, and perseverance. It has flown over moments of great triumph and times of great challenge, serving as a reminder of our shared history and the ideals that continue to guide our country.
This year’s observance carried added significance as our nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. As communities across Kentucky and the nation commemorate America 250, Flag Day offered a fitting moment to reflect on the principles that inspired our founding and the generations of Americans who have worked to preserve them.
Flag Day marks the anniversary of June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress adopted the first official design for the flag of the United States. In the midst of the Revolutionary War, our nation’s founders understood that a free people needed a symbol that could unite them in a common cause. The resolution was simple: thirteen stripes, red and white, and thirteen stars on a blue field representing a new constellation of states.
For nearly 250 years, the Stars and Stripes have flown over moments of triumph and tragedy, peace and war, prosperity and hardship. It has been carried into battle by soldiers defending freedom, raised over schools and courthouses in communities large and small, and displayed by families proud to call this country home.
The flag tells the story of America. Its thirteen stripes remind us of the original colonies that declared independence from a king and launched an experiment in self-government. Its fifty stars represent a nation that grew from the Atlantic coast to span a continent, welcoming new states and new generations into the American story.
But the flag is not simply a symbol of our past. It is also a symbol of our future. It represents ideals that are bigger than any political party, elected official, or moment in time. It stands for liberty, equality, self-government, and the belief that every generation has a responsibility to leave the country stronger than they found it.
Its meaning extends far beyond our own borders. Around the world, the sight of the American flag has often brought hope to those yearning for freedom and relief to those living under tyranny. At the same time, it has served as a warning to oppressors that free people will not always stand by while liberty is threatened. While America has never been perfect, generations around the globe have looked to our flag as a symbol of the enduring belief that human beings are meant to live free.
Like our nation itself, the flag has endured challenges. Americans have disagreed, debated, and struggled through some of the most difficult chapters in our history. Yet through it all, the flag has remained a reminder that while we may not always agree on every issue, we share a common bond as citizens of the same republic.
The American flag is, after all, more than stars and stripes. It is a symbol of where we have been, what we believe, and what we hope to become. It reminds us that freedom is never guaranteed, that self-government requires active citizenship, and that each generation has a role to play in preserving the blessings of liberty.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181.
You can also contact me via email at Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
June 9, 2026
Kentucky’s revenue growth shows smart tax reform and economic strength can go hand in hand
For years, critics have warned that reducing Kentucky’s individual income tax would jeopardize the state’s finances, threaten essential services, and leave future budgets on unstable footing.
Every time the General Assembly has taken steps to make Kentucky’s tax structure more competitive, opponents—including the governor—have predicted declining revenues and budget shortfalls. The latest revenue numbers tell a very different story.
According to the Office of State Budget Director, Kentucky’s General Fund receipts reached a historic milestone in April, totaling more than $2 billion for the first time ever. Collections came in 15.2% higher than April of last year at $2.013 billion, an increase of $265.5 million.
That is not a small achievement. April is traditionally Kentucky’s strongest revenue month because of tax filing deadlines, but even by those standards, this year’s performance stands out. The increase pushed General Fund receipts to 1.7% growth through the first 10 months of Fiscal Year 2026, despite an official revenue estimate that projected a 1.3% decline for the year.
In practical terms, revenues could decline by more than 16% over the final two months of the fiscal year and still meet expectations.
The strongest growth came from Kentucky’s largest revenue sources. Sales and use tax collections, business taxes, and individual income taxes combined to generate $223 million more than they did in April 2025. Individual income tax net returns alone increased by nearly $120 million compared to the same month last year.
These numbers matter because they directly challenge a narrative that has persisted throughout the legislature’s efforts to reform our tax code. Opponents have repeatedly suggested that lowering the individual income tax would inevitably lead to budget shortfalls and fiscal instability. Yet, Kentucky continues to post strong revenue performance while simultaneously reducing the tax burden on workers, families, and job creators.
That outcome is not accidental. While we modernized taxes across the board to make them reflect today’s marketplace and economy, the biggest results can be seen in the individual income tax – the tax paid by those who are working or have worked for their money. Since 2018, the legislature has cut the individual income tax from 6% to 3.5%, and laid the groundwork for further cuts. It will not happen overnight, but it will happen when it should because our approach has been as intentional as it has been responsible. With the passage of HB 8 in 2022, we created conditions that must be met before any reduction in the individual income tax can take effect. Those triggers protect the necessary services and functions of government, while emphasizing responsible spending and investing. The goal is to create a tax structure that encourages investment, rewards work, attracts employers, and positions Kentucky to compete successfully with neighboring states.
The latest revenue report suggests that strategy is working. At the same time, it highlights the difference between carefully structured tax policy and short-term political gestures.
Recently, the governor released an executive order suspending a scheduled increase in the motor vehicle fuel tax (we usually call it the gas tax) and cutting it by 10 cents a gallon. That executive order is set to expire and he has called on local governments to request and extension. The governor continues to tell Kentuckians he is providing relief through reductions in the gas tax. In reality, the motor fuels tax is one of the least targeted ways to help Kentucky families because it only saves an estimated $5 a month and even that benefit is shared equally by everyone who purchases fuel, including out-of-state motorists traveling through Kentucky. Meanwhile, the revenue generated by the gas tax is a primary source of funding for road maintenance, bridge repairs, transportation improvements, and highway safety projects.
Kentucky is giving the same tax break to drivers from Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and beyond while reducing the resources available to invest in the infrastructure Kentuckians rely on every day. If the objective is relief for Kentucky families, there are more effective options. Direct tax relief tied to income, work, and economic growth provides lasting benefits to Kentucky residents without undermining dedicated funding streams for transportation. Allow working families to keep more of what they earn without costing them more in the long run.
The contrast is clear. One approach focuses on careful planning, clear revenue tracking, and building a competitive economy with good-paying jobs. The other provides a small benefit that benefits people who do not even live in Kentucky while jeopardizing future investments in road safety and infrastructure.
As the fiscal year draws to a close on June 30, Kentucky’s record-setting revenue performance offers strong evidence that the General Assembly’s approach is working. Growth, investment, and disciplined fiscal management remain the most sustainable path to long-term prosperity—and Kentucky is proving it.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181.
You can also contact me via email at Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
June 2, 2026
We celebrate our Commonwealth’s role in making America during Kentucky History Month
June is a special time across the country as families celebrate National Great Outdoors Month, but here in Kentucky, it also carries another meaningful distinction. Last year, the General Assembly officially designated June as Kentucky History Month, providing a dedicated opportunity each year to reflect on the people, places, and events that shaped who we are today.
The two observances fit together naturally because our history has always been deeply connected to the land itself.
Long before Kentucky became the 15th state admitted to the Union, this region stood as America’s western frontier. Early settlers crossed through the Cumberland Gap, traveled rivers that would become vital trade corridors, and built communities surrounded by forests, farmland, lakes, and rolling hills. Kentucky’s natural resources did not simply influence our history — they helped create it.
That same spirit can still be experienced today across every corner of the commonwealth.
National Great Outdoors Month serves as a reminder that some of Kentucky’s greatest treasures are not found inside buildings, but outside in the places that generations of Kentuckians have hunted, fished, farmed, explored, and protected. It is the perfect time for families to step away from busy schedules and rediscover what makes our state unique.
Fortunately, Kentucky offers no shortage of opportunities to do exactly that.
Our state park system remains one of the finest in the country, offering affordable destinations for weekend trips and summer stay-cations alike. Whether it is boating on Kentucky Lake, hiking through the trails of Natural Bridge State Resort Park, swimming at Lake Cumberland, or simply enjoying a quiet cabin overlooking the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, these experiences provide more than recreation. They reconnect us to the landscapes that generations before us relied upon and cherished.
Kentucky’s waterways alone tell an important story about our past and present. Rivers once served as the lifeblood of commerce and transportation for frontier communities. Today, they continue supporting tourism, agriculture, and outdoor recreation while offering families opportunities to fish, kayak, and spend time together outdoors.
The same can be said for Kentucky’s forests and public lands. Hiking trails throughout the state allow visitors to experience the beauty that inspired early settlers and helped establish Kentucky’s reputation as a place rich in natural abundance. In many ways, walking those trails offers a direct connection to our heritage.
Importantly, celebrating Kentucky History Month should never mean viewing history as something distant or disconnected from daily life. History lives through traditions, communities, landmarks, and the stories passed down from one generation to the next. Sometimes the best classroom is not found within four walls, but along a trail, beside a lake, or in one of Kentucky’s historic small towns.
That is especially important for younger generations.
In an age increasingly dominated by screens and constant distractions, opportunities to experience the outdoors matter more than ever. Fishing with grandparents, camping with family, visiting local museums, or exploring historical sites together helps preserve both memories and traditions. Those experiences foster appreciation not only for Kentucky’s natural beauty, but also for the sacrifices, perseverance, and innovation that built our commonwealth.
At the same time, honoring Kentucky’s history also means learning from every part of it, both the successes and the struggles. Recognizing our past in an honest and meaningful way helps ensure future generations understand where we have been, how we have grown, and the responsibility we share in continuing to move Kentucky forward.
June offers the perfect opportunity to do exactly that.
Families do not necessarily have to travel far or spend heavily to enjoy what Kentucky has to offer. Some of the best summer memories can be made close to home through a simple weekend road trip, an afternoon at a local lake, or a visit to one of the many historical and natural attractions spread throughout our state.
This month, I encourage Kentuckians to take advantage of National Great Outdoors Month while also reflecting on the significance of Kentucky History Month. Visit a state park. Explore a hiking trail. Spend a morning fishing or an evening around a campfire. Support local tourism and small businesses in communities across the Commonwealth.
Most importantly, take time to appreciate the remarkable natural beauty and rich heritage that continue to define Kentucky.
Our history was shaped by the land, and even today, some of our greatest opportunities to connect with one another – and with the story of Kentucky itself – are found outdoors.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions.
You may reach me through the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181 or by email at Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov. You may also track our work at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
May 22, 2026
Honoring the fallen: the process of the dignified transfer
There are moments in the life of a nation when words feel inadequate. The loss of an American servicemember is one of those moments. Behind every folded flag is a son or daughter, a husband or wife, a parent, friend, neighbor, or hometown hero who answered the call to serve something greater than themselves. They stood willing to defend not only the borders of our country, but the ideals that define it: liberty, democracy, justice, and the enduring belief that freedom is worth protecting.
For generations, brave Americans have worn the uniform knowing the risks that accompany service. They have deployed to distant corners of the world, endured long separations from loved ones, and carried burdens that most citizens will never fully understand. Some returned home forever changed. Others never returned at all. Their sacrifice is woven into the very fabric of our nation, purchased at great cost by men and women who believed future generations deserved to live free.
One of the most solemn and powerful traditions honoring that sacrifice is the dignified transfer. Though few Americans witness it firsthand, it represents one of the military’s highest acts of respect and reverence for those who gave their lives in service to our country.
A dignified transfer takes place when the remains of a fallen servicemember are returned home to the United States, most often arriving at Dover Air Force Base. The process is carried out with extraordinary precision, discipline, and care. Every movement is deliberate. Every detail reflects honor.
When the aircraft carrying the fallen arrives, a carry team composed of fellow servicemembers stands ready on the flight line. Dressed in uniform, they move in synchronized silence as the aircraft door opens. The transfer case bearing the American flag is carefully lifted from the aircraft with dignity and respect. There is no applause, no spectacle, and no political division—only solemn gratitude and the quiet of heartbreak.
Often present are members of the service member’s family, who witness the return of their loved one surrounded by military honors. Chaplains, casualty officers, and support personnel stand beside them through every step of the process. For grieving families, the dignified transfer is more than a ceremony. It is a promise kept by a grateful nation: that their loved one will never be forgotten.
The process itself reflects the values instilled in every branch of the United States military—discipline, sacrifice, duty, honor, and country. Funeral honors may later include an honor guard, a rifle salute, the sounding of Taps, and the presentation of the folded American flag to the servicemember’s next of kin. Each tradition carries deep meaning, symbolizing respect not only for the individual who served, but for the ideals they defended.
Another version of the dignified transfer took place recently, after the remains of more than 40 Revolutionary War soldiers were discovered in New York. Nearly 250 years after their deaths, the soldiers’ remains were escorted from the New York State Museum to their place of reinterment in a procession of vintage military vehicles and motorcycles.
For many Americans, these ceremonies offer a powerful reminder that freedom is not abstract. It has names, faces, and stories. It is defended by ordinary people who choose extraordinary service. The rights we often take for granted—the ability to speak freely, worship freely, vote freely, and pursue our own futures—have been preserved through the courage of those willing to place themselves in harm’s way on behalf of others.
Kentucky has long contributed to that legacy of service and sacrifice. From the battlefields of the Mexican-American War and the Civil War to Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Kentuckians have answered the call time and again. Communities across the Commonwealth know the pain of loss – including two soldiers lost in Operation Epic Fury. Hardin County native Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington and Nelson County native Technical Sergeant Ashley Brooke Pruitt.
As Americans, we can never fully repay the debt owed to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. But we can honor them by remembering their stories, supporting the families they left behind, and living lives worthy of the freedoms they fought to preserve. We honor them when we come together as one nation, recognizing that the liberties we enjoy were secured through selflessness, bravery, and devotion to country.
The dignified transfer serves as a powerful symbol of that national gratitude. It is a reminder that behind every uniform is a life devoted to service and a sacrifice that must never be forgotten.
For Memorial Day, I would like to invite you to join me in honoring those who gave their lives in service of our country. On Monday, May 25, the City of Florence will host their Memorial Day Parade and Program, with the parade beginning at Boone County High School at 10:00 a.m. and ending at the Florence Government Center.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181.
You can also contact me via email at Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
May 19, 2026
Legislature strikes balance while protecting students
In recent years, headlines from across the country, including here in Kentucky, have reminded parents and educators alike that even trusted institutions are not immune from misconduct. Cases involving inappropriate relationships, abuse of authority, and unprofessional communication between adults and students have understandably shaken public confidence and raised difficult questions about accountability in our schools.
While these incidents represent a very small minority of educators and school employees, and while the overwhelming majority of Kentucky’s teachers, coaches, and volunteers are caring, dedicated, and deeply committed to the well-being of children, even one preventable situation is one too many when student safety is at stake. That reality is why the Kentucky General Assembly spent considerable time this session working to strengthen protections for students while also ensuring schools can continue functioning effectively and practically.
This session, lawmakers worked diligently to continue improving Kentucky’s public education system. The General Assembly invested heavily in schools by increasing funding each year, while also passing legislation to refine and improve existing laws. We also advanced measures designed to better protect students from individuals who abuse positions of trust and authority, including HB 253, which includes a provision that prevents school districts from entering into nondisclosure agreements with teachers who have a history of misconduct involving students. In addition, the legislature passed HB 67 to clean up and clarify language surrounding Senate Bill 181 from the 2025 Regular Session.
As you may recall, SB 181 changed the way schools communicate with students by requiring districts to establish traceable communication systems between employees, volunteers, and students. The legislation created waiver provisions, established exemptions for family relationships, and sought to ensure that communication between adults and students remained transparent and accountable. At the time, lawmakers, educators, and local officials broadly agreed on the bill’s intent, and the legislation passed unanimously before being signed into law by the Governor.
However, once implementation began, concerns quickly emerged from teachers, coaches, school administrators, and parents regarding practical situations the law did not adequately address. I will add that there was also tremendous support from parents and educators who agreed with the underlying goal of protecting students and creating greater transparency. The challenge became finding the right balance between safety and practicality.
House Bill 67 addressed many of those concerns in a thoughtful and responsible manner while keeping student protection at the center of the law. The bill expanded exemptions for family relationships to include cousins, nieces, nephews, and relatives by marriage or adoption, recognizing the realities of Kentucky families, including many nontraditional households. It also clarified that district employees and students may communicate directly during emergencies involving imminent risk to people or property, provided the communication is disclosed to school administrators.
Additionally, HB 67 expressly permits communication during field trips, work-based learning experiences, outside employment, and local government activities. These changes recognize the reality that life does not stop at the school doors. Teachers may own businesses, coach community teams, sponsor clubs, or supervise educational trips, while students often participate in internships, part-time jobs, and extracurricular opportunities that require practical communication outside normal classroom settings.
The goal of these reforms is not to create unnecessary barriers between students and trusted adults, nor is it to treat every educator with suspicion. Rather, the goal is to establish clear safeguards that protect children while allowing schools to continue fostering meaningful educational and mentorship opportunities. Student safety must remain a top priority, but we also cannot allow fear or bureaucracy to undermine the very relationships and experiences that help students grow and succeed.
HB 67 strikes that balance. It strengthens transparency, improves practicality, and ensures students can communicate safely and appropriately with district employees when necessary. Most importantly, it reflects Kentucky’s commitment to protecting children while still empowering schools, families, and educators to do what they do best: prepare the next generation for success.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181.
You can also contact me via email at Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.