Kentucky Center for Economic Policy

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

NEW: A local tax break for Meta's massive Mason County data center project will eliminate approximately $50 million a year in taxes the company would otherwise pay. This is even after considering the Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) the company will make.

These tax breaks would be in addition to the huge 50-year sales tax exemption for data center equipment that Meta will receive if approved by the state, a subsidy that could easily cost over $400 million just for the initial outfitting of the first facility.

10/15/2026

“We’ve just been bombarded with the prices of groceries and the price of gas."

Rising prices and federal SNAP cuts are stretching food pantries thin.

10/14/2026

The federal rural health fund has potential to improve the well-being of rural Kentuckians but it is not a replacement for lost Medicaid funds. If Congress wants to preserve health care capacity in rural Kentucky, it should reverse the harsh cuts in H.R. 1.

10/13/2026

When talking about property taxes, it's important to remember that they're essential to funding schools, public safety, local governments and other vital local services.

That doesn't mean the system is perfect, though. There are sensible reforms Kentucky can pursue to help those struggling with sharp increases in home values without threatening funding for local services.

Read about the those reforms at the link below.

10/09/2026

"When a Kentucky family is on KTAP and is owed child support, the state currently intercepts it, and it’s sending 72% of those funds to the federal government instead of to the kids that it is meant for."

In the 2025 fiscal year, Kentucky kept more than $4 million of these payments and sent more than $11 million to the federal government.

Kentucky can change all of this by allowing some or all of these child support payments to flow into the homes of very low-income children, which can have long-lasting positive effects on their lives.

10/08/2026

It’s time for a reinvestment in the people who educate Kentucky kids.

10/07/2026

Tori Kantor loves painting, cooking and sharing videos on social media. But the 24-year-old quadriplegic woman is also navigating a major gap in the care she needs at home. Under her current plan, Kantor receives 82 hours of care each week — leaving her without care for the other 86 hours: https://www.whas11.com/article/news/health/medicaid-cuts-leave-louisville-woman-without-aid-over-half-the-week/417-656b249e-ed6a-4ecd-9b38-6f3d0157b6db?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WHAS11_News

10/06/2026

Starting October 1, states have to pay millions more to administer SNAP, all so billionaires can pay less in taxes.

10/05/2026

Join us and the tomorrow at 2 for the latest ThriveKY forum with Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Hear directly from Cabinet leaders and experts on the latest program changes: SNAP/Summer EBT, RISE(i) SPA, ReEntry Waiver, 1915(c) waitlists, and the new rules for Medicaid eligibility. Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gswOfYeTSuaQPrCDv8aa4Q