How COVID-19 Could Affect Kentucky's Government, Services

More and more Kentuckians are losing their jobs and have less money to spend every day during the coronavirus pandemic. That means there will eventually be a drop in income and sales tax revenue for the state, though Kentucky is slated to receive $1.6 billion in federal aid to help prop up essential services this year. State legislators have attempted to adjust by only passing a one-year budget, with plans to pass a new spending plan next year once the outlook is a little clearer. But many are worried that state services and the people who rely on them will be affected. For this special episode of In Conversation, host and Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Ryland Barton discusses how the coronavirus pandemic will affect Kentucky's citizens, economy and government. Our guests were Democratic Sen. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville, Republican Rep. Kim Moser of Taylor Mill, Kentucky River District Health Department Public Health Director Scott Lockard and Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Executive Director Jason Bailey. Donate to support this and future episodes of In Conversation.