The Commonwealth Policy Center

03/14/2025

Bills that ban unfair treatment based on someones, race, religion, ethnicity or gender in high education have been proposed the Kentucky legislature. But now college students at Eastern Kentucky University are protesting. I've had a chance to talk with sponsors of these bills. And their goal isn't to try to hurt anyone, but it is to make sure that everyone is treated fairly at Kentucky colleges and universities. As it is, identity politics are being used to give preferential treatment to some groups over other groups. And this is simply wrong. If the college students protesting understood this, they'd realize that pushing back against DEI is a good thing, as it embraces the American ideal of equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of what they look like or believe.

03/13/2025

Last fall governor, Andy Beshear banned a practice called conversion therapy. And he directed state licensure boards to consider disciplinary action against therapists who engage in it. While conversion therapy has been considered inhumane, Andy Beshear conflated this issue with counselors who help gender dysphoric minors align with their biological gender and minors who identify as LGBT. Gov. Beshear's sweeping order is a a clear violation of the First Amendment, parental rights, and of clients' self-determination to seek help. As a result, State Rep. David Hale sponsored HB 495 to push back against the governor's overreach. If the bill passes, it will preserve free speech rights, and also restores parents’ rights to help their children as they see fit. The bill is expected to pass the House and is heading to the state Senate.

03/13/2025

📢 Attention Parents & High School Students! 📢

Did you know that Kentucky now requires all high school juniors and seniors to take one credit of financial literacy? Why not fulfill that requirement and earn college credit at the same time?

When you register for Asbury Academy's "Give, Save, Spend: Personal Finances God's Way" you will:
✅ Earn college credit
✅ Satisfy KY's financial literacy requirement
✅ Learn how to manage your money according to God's Word!

👉 Find out more: https://www.asbury.edu/undergraduate/admissions/academy/give-save-spend/

03/12/2025

In this week's episode of the Commonwealth Matters, we delve into the fundamental aspects of a healthy society, questioning whether it is rooted in the individual or the family. We explore the impact of family breakdowns and examine the connection between such occurrences and government policies. Joining us to talk about this important issue is Colin Smothers, executive director of the Center for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and director of the Kenwood Institute in Louisville, KY.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-importance-of-family-to-a-healthy-society/id1437058734?i=1000698900961
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PL5V2hgF44KkddpfGZKV3?si=UxLEEHqjSeqGKzYsmAP-aA

03/12/2025

English is the language the majority of Americans speak. Now, for the first time in our history, it’s been declared the official language, which is something we’ve taken for granted. Practically, this means that the federal agencies won’t have to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. Some will criticize the move as harsh, but with smartphones and language apps, language translation is at our fingertips. Immigrants who come here legally are welcome. But it’s imperative they learn the language and assimilate to American culture. Learning and speaking English is the first step. Altogether, 32 states, including Kentucky have laws declaring English as their official language.

03/11/2025

There's a strong push to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Now Kentucky legislators are looking to cut inefficiencies and waste out of state government. A state House resolution calls for the formation of the Kentucky Discipline of Government. The goal is to assess how our tax dollars are spent and to "inform decision makers about how the Commonwealth invests in its future." On the state Senate side, Kentucky State Senator Lindsey Tichenor is proposing the "Kentucky Office of Government Efficiency," which would authorize the Kentucky auditor to ensure that state agencies are operating efficiently and responsibly. Tichenor said the focus of a Kentucky DOGE is to hold state "agencies accountable, cutting waste and delivering real results for taxpayers."

03/11/2025

"Rooting out waste and defunding activity outside the scope of government should be bipartisan. Finding ways to make government more efficient and demanding fiscal integrity within our government shouldn't be controversial. After all, it's the people's government and it's funded by their hard earned money."

Read CPC Exec. Director Richard Nelson's latest column here: https://www.kentuckytoday.com/perspectives/commentary-kentucky-doge-moving-ahead/article_a5d756de-fdc2-11ef-b785-b739ab58bbf8.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawI9CHlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZIFRNmPnMsglZ884JZuZLw8Kknq4Qufk2M-cSRxJBQa7BOig3_s0-N9LA_aem_y_kCmUFDS6sG3zZ7k3S_9w

03/10/2025

According to the National Agriculture Law Center, foreign ownership of American agricultural lands has increased in recent years. As a result, many states are limiting foreign entities from acquiring agricultural lands. Kentucky may be the next, as a bill in the state legislature would restrict foreign entities from owning agricultural property in the Commonwealth. The goal here is to protect food production in the United States. State Representative Scott Sharp sponsored HB 315, which passed the state House unanimously on February 28. Now it's up to the state Senate to limit the sale of Kentucky agricultural lands to U.S. citizens. Approximately 25 states forbid or limit foreign businesses or foreign governments from acquiring private agricultural lands within the U.S.

03/07/2025

In this week's episode of the Commonwealth Matters, we delve into the escalating issue of wildfires in the American West, a trend that has been on the rise for several decades. As debates stir around the role of global climate change in intensifying these fires, we invite Danielle Franz, CEO of the American Conservation Coalition, to discuss whether these changes are contributing to the severity of the LA fires. We also discuss whether conservatives should be concerned about the environment and environmental policy. The conversation explores the intersection of environmental action, innovation, and limited government principles.

Watch below on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode, we delve into the escalating issue of wildfires in the American West, a trend that has been on the rise for several decades. As debates stir...

03/07/2025

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of children whose parents are in jail, and this a challenge that puts families in crisis. Interestingly, political opponents have become allies in addressing this pressing issue. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are working on alternative sentencing guidelines designed to keep families intact and to minimize the number of children entering foster care. The goal is to provide support for parents who are in trouble with the law and not a risk to society. This bipartisan effort is a significant step forward, illustrating that when our shared values take precedence over partisan divisions, we can create meaningful change for our communities. These reforms not only offer hope to affected families, but also strengthen the future for Kentucky children by promoting stability in their lives.

03/06/2025

USA Today recently named Hadley Duvall as Kentucky’s Woman of the Year for her advocacy on so called "reproductive rights." Her story is undeniably tragic—enduring years of sexual abuse by her stepfather. No one should have to endure such suffering. Yet, while her pain is real, the conclusion she has drawn is deeply troubling. She's now the billboard for unfettered abortion rights with no restrictions, arguing that women must have the right to end the lives of their unborn children. It's ironic that USA Today named her Woman of the Year, for her forceful efforts to give women the right to take the lives of their own children. Bringing life into the world is one of the most beautifully feminine things.

03/05/2025

In this week's episode of the Commonwealth Matters, we delve into the escalating issue of wildfires in the American West, a trend that has been on the rise for several decades. As debates stir around the role of global climate change in intensifying these fires, we invite Danielle Franz, CEO of the American Conservation Coalition, to discuss whether these changes are contributing to the severity of the LA fires. We also discuss whether conservatives should be concerned about the environment and environmental policy. The conversation explores the intersection of environmental action, innovation, and limited government principles.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/should-conservatives-be-concerned-about-the/id1437058734?i=1000697892269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yFbIaSxEDiQgee1F635lO?si=5bxYt9ekS2OTw-jSBjx3og

03/05/2025

For years we’ve been told that overpopulation would doom us. But the reality is quite different—America is actually below replacement levels and we're facing a demographic crisis. Experts project that in just seven years we will face a shortage of up to six million workers needed to fill essential roles in our economy. This will lead to reduced school enrollments, forcing K-12 and universities to tighten budgets and even close their doors. Another question is who will care for our aging population? The challenge before us is clear. Public policy should address this by encouraging family formation and giving tax breaks to families with children. This approach ensures economic stability and also strengthens our communities by fostering a more vibrant, intergenerational society.

03/04/2025

Federal workers are facing new accountability measures. The Trump administration has ordered that all federal employees must explain what they did over the last week. Elon Musk is leading the charge of government accountability, but critics say he doesn't have the authority. Musk says the measure ensures that everyone receiving a paycheck is actually working. The Trump administration has promised to cut the size of the federal government and it's within the scope of the executive branch to ensure accountability of federal works. As a result, unions have threatened legal action, arguing this move infringes on worker rights. But does any worker, whether in the public or private sector, have a right to a job if they aren't working or making an effort to show their boss what they've done in the last week?

03/03/2025

Kentucky's Secretary of State said that it recently removed over 250,000 dead voters from the state’s voter rolls. This ensures that only living, eligible citizens can vote. Other states haven't been as aggressive in updating their voter rolls, but Kentucky is leading the way. Secretary of State Michael Adams is proactively updating its records, which is essential to fair elections. Election integrity isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a fundamental safeguard of our democratic republic. And when our voter rolls are accurate, especially by removing deceased voters, it minimizes the opportunity for fraud, ensures that every vote counts, and brings confidence to the voters that our system of electing our leaders whether at the local, state, or national level is fair.

02/28/2025

Dr. Margaret Carpenter was fined over $100,000 by a Texas judge for prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine to a Texas patient. Carpenter is a New York physician and when she prescribed the abortion pills, she violated Texas' strict abortion laws. Louisiana also charged Carpenter with a felony for prescribing life-ending abortion drugs to a pregnant minor, further underscoring that out-of-state doctors are not above state laws when it comes to regulating abortion. These cases highlight an important truth: states have the right to regulate abortion and protect unborn children within their borders. When doctors from other states attempt to bypass these laws, there are serious consequences that will cost doctors who need to be reminded that legal boundaries still matter in protecting life.

02/28/2025

"With strong, two-parent families involved in raising the next generation, there is less need for government support. Kids with both parents involved in their lives are more likely to enter school ready to learn and less likely to need free lunch and after-school programs.

In the end, parents get to keep more of their tax dollars to provide and shape their children's future. It's a policy position Republicans have embraced for years."

Read Richard Nelson's article on KY Today here: https://www.kentuckytoday.com/perspectives/commentary-moving-toward-family-friendly-tax-policy-in-kentucky/article_261c007e-e56d-11ef-9546-97d5cb6a8ab5.html
It also was published in the Lexington Herald-Leader here: https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article300974614.html

02/27/2025

"Kentuckians deserve transparency, fiscal responsibility, and policies that reflect their values—not secretive spending that funds harmful and controversial procedures. SB 2 and HB 154 are a move towards better stewardship of Kentucky taxpayer dollars."

Read Jacob Ogan's latest column on Kentucky Today here: https://www.kentuckytoday.com/perspectives/the-price-of-ideology-how-kentucky-taxpayers-are-footing-bill-for-secret-gender-procedures/article_b9ec605c-f515-11ef-9a39-1fa504932f36.html