Kentucky Deserves Leaders Who Solve Real Problems
Not Leaders Manufacturing New Ones
As Kentucky families work harder than ever to stay afloat, the General Assembly continues to divert time and attention into manufactured culture wars. Yesterday’s hearing offered another reminder of how far certain state leaders have drifted from the real needs of everyday Kentuckians.
While communities are asking for stability, safety, and support, Senator Lindsey Tichenor used her platform to promote a bill targeting school inclusion programs. These are the very programs that help students feel safe, respected, and supported at school. Instead of addressing the crises playing out in households and classrooms across the Commonwealth, she focused on banning tools that educators rely on to meet the needs of every child.
The Real Problems Kentuckians Are Facing
Across this state, families are confronting challenges that demand serious, solutions-based leadership. Kentuckians are struggling with:
• rising grocery and utility costs
• housing that is becoming out of reach
• a teacher shortage in nearly every county
• declining youth mental health
• childcare gaps that keep parents out of the workforce
• rural hospital closures
• wages that do not keep up with the cost of living
These are the issues pulling at kitchen-table budgets and straining school districts, healthcare systems, and local economies.
What did the GOP bring to the table?
A bill telling teachers which words they cannot use and which support systems they must dismantle.
Kentucky Citizens for Democracy’s message is clear:
Kentucky families are asking for help. The GOP is offering culture wars.
The Disconnect Could Not Be Clearer
During the hearing, Senator Tichenor focused on:
• travel receipts
• isolated snippets of curriculum
• fictional portrayals of DEI
• anonymous anecdotes
• repeated admissions that she “doesn’t know” whether evidence exists
This is not governing. It is a distraction.
While she fixated on paperwork and hypotheticals, Kentucky classrooms continue to absorb the weight of real crises:
• overcrowded rooms where learning suffers
• students waiting for reading interventions that never come
• rising juvenile mental health emergencies
• teachers exiting the profession at historic levels
These are not abstract problems. They shape a child’s school day. They shape a family’s future. They determine whether Kentucky can build a workforce and a democracy capable of meeting the moment.
KCfD’s message is simple:
Kentucky kids don’t need less support. They need leaders who understand the challenges they face.
Our Charge Moving Forward
KCfD will continue tracking attempts to replace evidence-based support systems with political theater. The Commonwealth deserves leaders who strengthen classrooms, support educators, and invest in the well-being of every child. That work begins with telling the truth about what is happening in Frankfort and insisting that Kentucky’s elected officials solve the problems Kentuckians actually face.
This is the work of defending democracy in our state: shining light where others hope the public will not look, and insisting on leadership equal to the stakes for Kentucky’s future.
KCfD will keep showing up. And we know the people of Kentucky will, too.
____________________________________________________________________________
If this hearing concerns you, take a moment today to make your voice heard.
Call the Legislative Research Commission at 1-800-372-7181 on Jan. 3rd or Jan. 4th and leave a message for:
• Senator Lindsey Tichenor
• The Interim Joint Committee on Education
Tell them Kentucky needs leaders focused on real challenges facing our schools and families, not manufactured political fights that strip support from kids and educators.
Your message goes to every member of the committee. Just tell the operator you want it sent to the Interim Joint Committee on Education and to Senator Tichenor specifically.
Kentucky’s kids deserve support. Your voice helps make that possible.