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<v Speaker 1>Now we turn to the Kentucky Standard for news in

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<v Speaker 1>Bardstown and Nelson County. Your reader today is Brian Hunt.

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<v Speaker 1>As a reminder, RADIOI is a reading service intended for

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<v Speaker 1>people who are blind or have other disabilities that make

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<v Speaker 1>it difficult to read printed material. We will begin with

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<v Speaker 1>the addition dated April nineteenth, Nation Mark's second inmates to escape.

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<v Speaker 1>Local law enforcement are now on the lookout for a

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<v Speaker 1>second escape prisoner after Cherry Nation walked off from an

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<v Speaker 1>inmate work crew on Tuesday. Nation forty six was working

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<v Speaker 1>on roadside garbage pickup and was an alternative sentenced state

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<v Speaker 1>inmate held on non violent charges, although he has a

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<v Speaker 1>history of felony charges. Nation was set to be relieved

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<v Speaker 1>November eleventh of this year. Authorities are asking residents to

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<v Speaker 1>be on the lookout for Nation in the Woodlawn Road

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<v Speaker 1>and Northeast Nelson area. He fled on foot, and law

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<v Speaker 1>enforcement have caution residents not to approach him and to

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<v Speaker 1>call nine one one. Other potential locations for Nation include

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<v Speaker 1>Wire Lane and Streamtown Road areas. Nation joined Jaman McKnight

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<v Speaker 1>twenty eight as a subject for pickup by police on

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<v Speaker 1>April tenth. McKnight was being transferred from Spencer County to

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<v Speaker 1>Nelson County and was being held on nonviolent drug charges.

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<v Speaker 1>Before McKnight could be booked into the Nelson County Correctional Center,

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<v Speaker 1>he escaped from the Spencer County Jailed transport View. McKnight

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<v Speaker 1>was never at any point in the custody or supervision

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<v Speaker 1>of Nelson County Correctional Center. People are asking a police

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<v Speaker 1>are asking anyone who c McKnight call nine to one

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<v Speaker 1>one immediately. McKnight was originally believed to be in the

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<v Speaker 1>downtown Bardstown area. Next, Raleigh named a Rotary Champion of Tomorrow.

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<v Speaker 1>Bardstown Rotary Club member Olivia Raleigh was selected as one

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<v Speaker 1>of six individuals for the Rotary People of Action Champions

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<v Speaker 1>of Tomorrow. Earlier this month, Raleigh was selected by Rotary

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<v Speaker 1>International as a Champion of Tomorrow for her work with

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<v Speaker 1>the Yellow Tulip Project. Raleigh is one of six people

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<v Speaker 1>from across the globe selected for the honor and is

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<v Speaker 1>the sole United States representative. Champions of Tomorrow recognizes six

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<v Speaker 1>people under thirty each year for quote their leadership in

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<v Speaker 1>advancing impactful, youth centered initiatives that are helping create the

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<v Speaker 1>foundation for brighter futures. When I got the email about it,

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<v Speaker 1>I had no idea that this was a thing, and

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<v Speaker 1>I almost thought it was spam, Raleigh said with a laugh.

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<v Speaker 1>There are so many community partners involved in this that

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<v Speaker 1>they deserve their flowers too, but it's so much bigger

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<v Speaker 1>than one person. Mental health advocacy is an integral part

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<v Speaker 1>of Raleigh's life and her former role as a social

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<v Speaker 1>service specialist with local aught law enforcement and her role

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<v Speaker 1>as a therapist with a youth residential hospital. Raley is

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<v Speaker 1>also a member of the Community Action Council, a creation

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<v Speaker 1>of Tri County United Way. The work of the organization

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<v Speaker 1>and the council created the Nelson County Yellow Tulip Project.

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<v Speaker 1>It is a local division of a nationwide movement. The

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<v Speaker 1>Yellow Tulip Project is meant to address youth mental health

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<v Speaker 1>in the community, with the goal to smash the stigma

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<v Speaker 1>and remind them there's always hope. Through the work of

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<v Speaker 1>Tri County United Way, the Impact Council, and Welcare of Kentucky,

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<v Speaker 1>the project has spanned county wide. This spring, multiple community partners,

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<v Speaker 1>from local schools, to cific organizations and more have planted

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<v Speaker 1>a Hope garden. These gardens have bloomed with yellow tulips,

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<v Speaker 1>with some having a yellow hope bench to give community

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<v Speaker 1>members space to sit. Raley said it has been amazing

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<v Speaker 1>to se see the variety of partners the project has gained,

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<v Speaker 1>being excited to see so many entities want to come

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<v Speaker 1>and want to aid in combating youth mental health. It's

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<v Speaker 1>so many different pieces of the community that are often

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<v Speaker 1>viewed as separate, Raley said. The jail is over here,

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<v Speaker 1>the schools are over there. No, this connects everyone to

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<v Speaker 1>show that community is built on systems. If you lose

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<v Speaker 1>one system, then the whole thing crumbles. That's what I

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<v Speaker 1>think this really signifies because it's not just one person,

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<v Speaker 1>it is many. Raleigh said. The Yellow Tula Project grows

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<v Speaker 1>every day in Nelson County, especially on the eve of

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<v Speaker 1>Yellow Tulipweek, which begins April nineteenth. The community wide project

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<v Speaker 1>has seen more interest as other businesses and organizations want

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<v Speaker 1>to be a part of it. However, Raleigh says she

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<v Speaker 1>does that want to be the only person recognized for

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<v Speaker 1>their work with the Yellow Tulip Project. She said the

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<v Speaker 1>recognition from Rotary International for herself and the project shows

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<v Speaker 1>the impact someone can have on the community. No matter

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<v Speaker 1>their age, it's highlighting people who are under thirty. So

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<v Speaker 1>I think that really ties into we need to really

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<v Speaker 1>value youth and people who are starting out in their career,

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<v Speaker 1>she said. But it really signifies that people need to

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<v Speaker 1>listen to youth, and people also need to listen to

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<v Speaker 1>people who are just starting their career because change happens.

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<v Speaker 1>You don't have to be over fifty. You don't have

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<v Speaker 1>to be over sixty or in the same career spot

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<v Speaker 1>for twenty to thirty years to make an impact. For

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<v Speaker 1>more information on the Nelson County Yellow Tulip Project, visit

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<v Speaker 1>Try County, kyuw dot Cobb Forward Slash, Youth Dash, Mental

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<v Speaker 1>h Health. Next, State Senate honored Shigden ahead of his retirement.

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<v Speaker 1>The Kentucky Senate honored Senator Jimmy Higden, Republican of Lebanon

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<v Speaker 1>on Wednesday for his decades of public service as he

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<v Speaker 1>prepares to retire at the end of his term in December.

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<v Speaker 1>The final day of the twenty twenty sixth Legislative session

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<v Speaker 1>serves as his final official legislative day in office. Higden

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<v Speaker 1>has represented the fourteenth district since two thousand and nine,

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<v Speaker 1>after previously serving in the Kentucky House of Representatives, building

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<v Speaker 1>a reputation as a respected leader, policy expert, and trusted colleague.

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<v Speaker 1>Senate President Robert Stuivers, Republican of Manchester, that Higgin's career

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<v Speaker 1>reflects both strong leadership and a deep commitment to people.

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<v Speaker 1>Jimmy Higdon is the kind of public servant every community

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<v Speaker 1>hopes to have. Steivers said, he has led on major issues,

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<v Speaker 1>but what stands out most is how he treats people

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<v Speaker 1>and how deeply he cares about doing the right thing.

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<v Speaker 1>Stivers pointed to Higdon's leadership within the caucus and his

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<v Speaker 1>willingness to step forward when needed. He has always put

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<v Speaker 1>the institution and his colleagues first. Steivers said, when leadership

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<v Speaker 1>was needed, he stepped in. When it was time to

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<v Speaker 1>step back, he did that too. That kind of character

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<v Speaker 1>says everything about who he is. He also highlighted Higdon's

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<v Speaker 1>connection to his constituents. Jimmy is known for being present

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<v Speaker 1>in his community. Stivers said. He built really relationships the

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<v Speaker 1>old fashioned way, one person at a time, and that's

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<v Speaker 1>why people trust him. Steivers recalled Higden's strong support at home,

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<v Speaker 1>noting his hands on approach to serving constituents and building

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<v Speaker 1>relationships that extend extended far beyond politics. That's who Jimmy is.

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<v Speaker 1>Stiver says, he cares about people, He shows up, and

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<v Speaker 1>he follows through. During his time in the Senate, Higden

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<v Speaker 1>held several key leadership roles, including Senate Majority Whip, Senate

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<v Speaker 1>President pro Tem, and in recent sessions, he had served

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<v Speaker 1>as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. As Transportation share,

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<v Speaker 1>Higden help oversees significant investment in infrastructure projects across the state,

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<v Speaker 1>including major highway funding and economic development initiatives aimed at

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<v Speaker 1>growing communities and improving connectivity. He was the driving force

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<v Speaker 1>behind not one but two rounds of transformative funding from

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<v Speaker 1>the state's Budget Reserve Trust Fund to help boost the

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<v Speaker 1>state's road plan and support support counties and cities meeting

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<v Speaker 1>infrastructure needs. A core aspect of road plans crafted under

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<v Speaker 1>Higgin's leadership has been supporting construction ready projects. He also

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<v Speaker 1>played a key role in modernizing Kentucky's vehicle registration system

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<v Speaker 1>and expanding access to driver licensing services. Beyond transportation, Higdon

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<v Speaker 1>became a leading voice on pension issues, shairing the Public

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<v Speaker 1>Pension Oversight Board and working to improve long term financial

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<v Speaker 1>stability for the Commonwealth. Higden's leadership on pension issues, Kentucky's

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<v Speaker 1>state employee and teacher pension systems have witnessed one of

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<v Speaker 1>the most significant financial turnarounds in the nation. Now, retirees

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<v Speaker 1>can telson receiving the benefits they expect for their service,

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<v Speaker 1>and the systems are stable long term for those who

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<v Speaker 1>will retire in the future. Colleagues recognize Higden for his

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<v Speaker 1>bipartisan approach and his willingness to mentor new members of

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<v Speaker 1>the Senate. Senate President pro Tim David Gibbons, Republican of Greensburg,

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<v Speaker 1>said Higden's impact is especially evident in how he supports

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<v Speaker 1>fellow members, particularly those new to the chamber. He saw

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<v Speaker 1>a need for mentorship and stepped into that space, Gibbon said.

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<v Speaker 1>For many of our newer members, he's been a steady

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<v Speaker 1>voice offering guidance not just on policy, but on how

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<v Speaker 1>to navigate this role and serve effectively. Given said, Higden's

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<v Speaker 1>commitment to others extends beyond the Capitol and reflects his

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<v Speaker 1>personal values. What drives him is his faith and his

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<v Speaker 1>desire to serve. Gibbon says that shows up in how

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<v Speaker 1>he leaves, how he supports others and how he approaches

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<v Speaker 1>every part of his life. He added that Higdon's approach

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<v Speaker 1>to constituent service sets a high standard. If I could

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<v Speaker 1>choose a Senator to be my own, it would be Jimmy.

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<v Speaker 1>Given says he I've never seen anyone more responsive, more engaged,

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<v Speaker 1>or more committed to the people they represent. Givens also

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<v Speaker 1>reflected on Higden's character during both professional and personal moments.

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<v Speaker 1>He has a way of stepping into difficult moments with

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<v Speaker 1>steadiness and grace, Gibbon said, whether in leadership or in life,

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<v Speaker 1>he's someone you can count on. Senator Steve Meredith, Republican Litchfield,

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<v Speaker 1>said Higdon's character and motivation set him apart. He's never

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<v Speaker 1>been a politician in the traditional since, Meredith said, He's

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<v Speaker 1>been a public servant, someone who shows up asking how

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<v Speaker 1>can I help and expects nothing in return. Meredith, who

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<v Speaker 1>has known Higgins for decades, said his commitment to service

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<v Speaker 1>is rooted in something deeper. What drives him is his faith,

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<v Speaker 1>his family, and his desire to serve others. Meredith said

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<v Speaker 1>that's been consistent throughout his life and career. Senator Minority

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<v Speaker 1>floor Leader Gerald Neil, Democrat of Louisville said, Higden's character

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<v Speaker 1>is reflected in how he trusts others treats others. If

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<v Speaker 1>you had to sum him up, it comes down to

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<v Speaker 1>three things. Kindness, decency, and respects. Neil said, that's what

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<v Speaker 1>you see every day in how he works and how

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<v Speaker 1>he treats people. In addition to his legislative work, Higden

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<v Speaker 1>founded Military Kid's Day at the Capital, an event that

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<v Speaker 1>has grown significantly and gained national recognition for highlighting the

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<v Speaker 1>experiences of children in military families. Higden contends this program

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<v Speaker 1>and experience is the thing he holds most dear as

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<v Speaker 1>he looks to retirement from the General Assembly. Lawmakers and

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<v Speaker 1>staff described Higden's legacy as one defined by kindness, respect

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<v Speaker 1>and commitment to public Servicehigdon said he was grateful for

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<v Speaker 1>the opportunity to serve and reflected on the relationships built

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<v Speaker 1>during his time in office. It's been a great ride,

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<v Speaker 1>Higden said. I've tried to do my work with energy,

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<v Speaker 1>treat people fairly, and remember that public service is about people,

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<v Speaker 1>not politics. Higden credited his family, especially his wife Jane,

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<v Speaker 1>for supporting his years in public office. I wouldn't be

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<v Speaker 1>standing here today without her, Higden said, she's spent my

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<v Speaker 1>partner through all of it. He also thanked his colleagues, staff,

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<v Speaker 1>and constituents for their support throughout his career. I'm thankful

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<v Speaker 1>for the friendship, the cooperation, and even the disagreements we've

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<v Speaker 1>had over the years, Higden said, those are the things

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<v Speaker 1>that stay with you. Higden said his approach to service

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<v Speaker 1>was guided by a simple principle. God gave each of

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<v Speaker 1>us gifts, and mine has been helping people. Heigdon said,

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<v Speaker 1>I've been grateful for the chance to use that in

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<v Speaker 1>service to others. He added that while his time in

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<v Speaker 1>office is ending, the impact of those relationships will remain.

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<v Speaker 1>The days come and go, But what least are the

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<v Speaker 1>people you meet and the difference you try to make.

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<v Speaker 1>Higdon said, I leave here with a grateful heart. As

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<v Speaker 1>he enters retirement, Higdon says he looks forward to spending

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<v Speaker 1>time with his wife, their children, and grandchildren. The Senate

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<v Speaker 1>adopted a resolution honoring his career and service to the Commonwealth.

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<v Speaker 1>Next legislatures secure one hundred and five million for Nelson

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<v Speaker 1>County Transport and Infrastructure of Representative Candy Maseroni, Republican of

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<v Speaker 1>Barstown and Senator Jimmy Higdon, Republican Lebanon have secured more

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<v Speaker 1>than one hundred and five point seven million dollars to

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<v Speaker 1>support road, bridge and infrastructure improvements in Nelson County through

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<v Speaker 1>the Nation States Annual Transportation Legislation. The funding is a

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<v Speaker 1>product of a shared, coordinated effort to improve safety, reduced congesting,

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<v Speaker 1>and strengthen transportation infrastructure across Nelson County. Major investments were

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<v Speaker 1>secured to the state's by Anneal Highway Construction Plan house

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<v Speaker 1>built five oh two and related legislation. The plan is

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<v Speaker 1>anchored by significant investments along some of Nelson County's busiest

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<v Speaker 1>and most economically important corridors, including US Highway one fifty

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<v Speaker 1>and Kentucky Highway two forty five. These projects were top

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<v Speaker 1>priorities for Massaroni and Higdon as they worked to shape

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<v Speaker 1>the next two year state road plan. Key projects include

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<v Speaker 1>fifty four million dollars in the next two years and

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<v Speaker 1>six year road plan for construction to improve safety, mobility,

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<v Speaker 1>and roadway geometry along US Highway one fifty from the

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<v Speaker 1>Bluegrass Parkway to the Nelson Washington County line. Eight point

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<v Speaker 1>four million dollars for right of way utility work, and

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<v Speaker 1>construction to improve safety and traffic flow along Kentucky Highway

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<v Speaker 1>two four five near flage A Hospital and Hall Loop,

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<v Speaker 1>five point five eight million dollars for right of way

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<v Speaker 1>and utility work to widen US Highway one fifty between

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<v Speaker 1>Kentucky Highway forty nine and the area near Kentucky Highway

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<v Speaker 1>two four five, two point nine four million for design,

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<v Speaker 1>right of way and utility work to improve traffic operations

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<v Speaker 1>and mobility along US Highway thirty one E from Kentucky

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<v Speaker 1>Highway five of nine to the Bullet County Line. One

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<v Speaker 1>hundred thousand dollars for design to address congestion along US

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<v Speaker 1>Highway sixty two in Barstown, one million dollars for preliminary

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<v Speaker 1>design to improve safety congestion along Kentucky Highway two four

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<v Speaker 1>five near Kelley Drive, three hundred eleven thousand dollars per

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<v Speaker 1>guardrail installation along Kentucky Highway four five eight to improve

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<v Speaker 1>roadway safety. And more than twenty four million dollars combined

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<v Speaker 1>to improve conditions along multiple segments of the Martha Lane

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<v Speaker 1>Collins Bluegrass Parkway, enhancing a critical regional corridor. Heaton, who

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<v Speaker 1>serves as Senate Transportation Chair, said these investments reflect a

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<v Speaker 1>continued focused on improving safety, mobility, and economic opportunity in

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<v Speaker 1>one of CA Kentucky's fastest growing regions. These dollars from

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<v Speaker 1>our state Road plan are going to play a big

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<v Speaker 1>role in making our road safer, commutes easier, and more

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<v Speaker 1>opportunities possible for the families who call Nelson County home.

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<v Speaker 1>Higgedon said Representative Masaroni and I made a point to

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<v Speaker 1>focus on key corridors and high volume traffic areas across

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<v Speaker 1>the county and really looking at how to support the

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<v Speaker 1>kind of projects that help communities and the local economy.

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<v Speaker 1>I want to give a really special thank you to

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<v Speaker 1>Representative Masaroni for her leadership. Masaroni, who represents Nelson County

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<v Speaker 1>in the State House of Representatives, said the funding reflects

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<v Speaker 1>strong collaboration between state and local leaders. There's no way

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<v Speaker 1>good work like this gets done without everyone rowing in

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<v Speaker 1>the same direction. Massaroni said, I'm grateful for our local

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<v Speaker 1>leaders for helping identify the biggest areas of needs, and

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<v Speaker 1>I appreciate Senator Higden's leadership and making sure Nelson County

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<v Speaker 1>continues to see strong investment in roads, bridges, and infrastructure

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<v Speaker 1>that support our growth and quality of life. Higdon will

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<v Speaker 1>conclude his time as State Senator for Nelson County and

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<v Speaker 1>the fourteen Centate District when his term of office ends

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<v Speaker 1>in December. In addition to major highway investments, Maceeroni and

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<v Speaker 1>Hichton note that targeted funding secures through the Local Road

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<v Speaker 1>Assistance Program House Joint Resolution seventy six, which provides one

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<v Speaker 1>hundred and thirty one thousand dollars for resurfacing and safety

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<v Speaker 1>improvements on locally maintained roads. Projects include sixty thousand dollars

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<v Speaker 1>to resurface Hagen Road, twenty nine thousand to resurfs North

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<v Speaker 1>Fifth Street, twenty two thousand to resurface Old Pilia Troll Lane,

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<v Speaker 1>and twenty thousand dollars to serve resurface Morton Avenue. One

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<v Speaker 1>of the things we hear about most from Nelson County

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<v Speaker 1>Judge Executive Tim Hussins, other local officials and constituents is

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<v Speaker 1>the need for more blacktop. Higgins said, I'm happy that

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<v Speaker 1>what we were able to do for all one hundred

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<v Speaker 1>twenty Kentucky counties this year in that regard, when you

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<v Speaker 1>see blacktop being laid down in Orange Cones, just know

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<v Speaker 1>that's a sign of progress and is also a sign

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<v Speaker 1>that your local road departments, judge executives, magistrates, and neighbors

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<v Speaker 1>played a part in those improvements being possible. Included in

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<v Speaker 1>the twenty twenty six to twenty twenty eight State Road

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<v Speaker 1>Plan is a two hundred and thirty million dollar investment

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<v Speaker 1>from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, which helps stabilize the

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<v Speaker 1>highway construction program and accelerate shovel ready projects. The infusion

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<v Speaker 1>of one time general Fund dollars aids in boosting projects

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<v Speaker 1>across the state. Like the twenty twenty four State Road Plan,

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<v Speaker 1>Higgdon successfully advocated for the infusion of these one time dollars.

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<v Speaker 1>Lawmakers have prioritized using available funds from the State Budget

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<v Speaker 1>Reserve Trust Fund to support local transformative projects that serve

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<v Speaker 1>to yield a return on investments. Higgdon believes the use

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<v Speaker 1>of these available funds for the road Plan are multipurpose.

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<v Speaker 1>When you look at our road fund revenues, they aren't

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<v Speaker 1>just keeping pace with the high cost of construction. Higdon says,

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<v Speaker 1>the fact of the matter is you want to have

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<v Speaker 1>business investments here in our communities, we have to have

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<v Speaker 1>infrastructure to support that. That's why it was so important

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<v Speaker 1>to get at four hundred and fifty dollars million dollars

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<v Speaker 1>from the Rainy Day Fund in twenty twenty four to

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<v Speaker 1>boost high growth region road projects. And this new two

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<v Speaker 1>hundred and thirty million dollars will boast our road plan,

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<v Speaker 1>bolster our road plan again to help meet our goals.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm grateful to House and Senate leadership and all my

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<v Speaker 1>colleagues in the fourteenth Senate District for supporting these investments.

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<v Speaker 1>It doesn't get done without good, hardworking people around the table.

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<v Speaker 1>Additional funding opportunities for local governments. In addition to project

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<v Speaker 1>specific funding, the budget includes several grant opportunities available to

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<v Speaker 1>local government, such as fifty million dollars over the next

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<v Speaker 1>two years for the County City Bridge Improvement Program, twenty

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<v Speaker 1>four million dollars in fiscal year twenty twenty seven for

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<v Speaker 1>a new matching grant program for counties and cities, and

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<v Speaker 1>additional funding in twenty fiscal year twenty twenty eight through

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<v Speaker 1>the state's revenue sharing formulas for counties and municipalities. The

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<v Speaker 1>state road plan includes a four point six billion dollars

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<v Speaker 1>by annual road plan alongside a seven billion dollar transportation

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<v Speaker 1>operating budget, ensuring that projects can move forward without delays

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<v Speaker 1>or over promising state resources. These two major pieces of

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<v Speaker 1>transportation related legislation maintained a disciplined approach focusing on delivering

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<v Speaker 1>projects ready for construction and improving infrastructure across communities statewide.

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<v Speaker 1>The Biennial Plan road Plan is fully funded with no

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<v Speaker 1>overprogramming of state dollars, which increases the likelihood that projects

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<v Speaker 1>included in the plan can be completed within the budget cycle.

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<v Speaker 1>Next in Community Notes, the Stephen Foster Music Club invites

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<v Speaker 1>the community to a special evening celebrating the birthday of

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<v Speaker 1>William Shakespeare. Local professional actors from the Bard's Town Shakespeare's

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<v Speaker 1>Society will join music Club members to present If Music

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<v Speaker 1>Be the Food of Love, a lively concert of song,

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<v Speaker 1>scenes and a touch of silliness inspired by the Bard himself.

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<v Speaker 1>The free concert will be seven thirty pm on Monday,

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<v Speaker 1>April twenty seventh at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Bardstown,

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<v Speaker 1>which is at the corner of North third Street and

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<v Speaker 1>East John Brown Boulevard. Join us as we explore fresh

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<v Speaker 1>interpretations of Shakespeare's work and celebrate the endearing influence of

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<v Speaker 1>his words on modern life. This is all the time

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<v Speaker 1>we have for reading of recent adations of the Kentucky Standard.

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<v Speaker 1>If you've enjoyed hearing this, please call us at eight

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<v Speaker 1>five nine four two two six three nine zero and

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<v Speaker 1>let us know. On behalf of everyone here at Radio Eye,

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<v Speaker 1>this is Brian Hunt. Thank you for joining me, and

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<v Speaker 1>now please stay tuned for continued programming here on Radio Eye.