Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stepped up his efforts Wednesday to guarantee preschool access for every 4-year-old in the state, offering assurances his plan would improve student performance while bolstering employment and family budgets.

Having been stymied by the state legislature in recent years when he pitched his universal pre-K plan, Beshear kicked off a high-profile campaign in hopes of building grassroots support. It could be the term-limited governor’s last realistic chance to turn his ambitious preschool plan into law. The 2026 session will be highlighted by work to pass the state’s next two-year budget.

Beshear pointed to statistics showing more than half of Kentucky children are unprepared for their first day of kindergarten. He said nearly two-thirds of Kentucky’s 12

See Full Page