Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, has issued a response to Friday’s report by the State Budget Director’s Office on Friday, indicating that while the official revenue estimate determined in December 2025 called for a $156 million revenue shortfall.
Instead, revenues came in $320.6 million more than originally budgeted and exceeded the December 2025 official revenue estimate by $476.6 million.
"Kentucky's fiscal year-end report confirms what we've said all along: responsible budgeting, conservative tax policy and disciplined fiscal management are producing real results. Despite repeated claims that lowering the income tax would undermine our financial stability, Kentucky finished the year with revenues exceeding expectations, a balanced budget, historically strong reserves and taxpayers keeping more of what they earn.
“Good public policy should be judged by tangible outcomes, not sensational rhetoric or headlines. These results demonstrate that we don't have to choose between fiscal responsibility and economic growth. By maintaining spending discipline while allowing Kentuckians to keep more of their hard-earned money, we've built a stronger economy and a stronger commonwealth. We'll continue taking the long view because our responsibility is not simply to balance the next budget, but to leave Kentucky in a stronger position for the next generation.
“We accomplish that by remaining committed to policies that have consistently delivered results, even in the face of persistent, public criticism. It is particularly telling that some of the same voices who spent years opposing these reforms remain the first to claim credit for the success they originally insisted would never materialize.
“In the 2026 Legislative Session, the General Assembly had a constitutional obligation to write a responsible budget. While many lawmakers never subscribed to the pessimism echoing from the executive branch when considering the great responsibility of budgeting and balancing precious taxpayer dollars, prudence isn't optional. It's an imperative. That is why lawmakers took a conservative approach.
"If it was not already proven multiple times over, tax relief for families is not jeopardizing our state’s finances as those who have opposed it would have them believe.
“Friday’s report should give Kentucky families confidence in their Commonwealth’s future. We will continue to budget responsibly, protect taxpayers and make decisions based on fact and reason, not fear and political messaging. That approach has served the Bluegrass well, and it will continue guiding the Kentucky General Assembly.”
Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said, ''Good public policy should be judged by tangible outscores, not sensational rhetoric or headlines." (LRC photo)
