The first week of the 2026 Legislative Session is now complete, officially beginning the constitutionally required 60-day budget session for the Kentucky General Assembly.
It’s an honor to continue serving the 16th Senate District, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Frankfort on your behalf. This marks my second session as Senate majority floor leader and my first in this role during a budget year. I’m committed to guiding legislation through the Senate process with transparency, discipline, and a strong focus on the issues that matter most to Kentuckians.
While the first few days were largely procedural, they laid the groundwork for the important budget and policy debates ahead. As always, our focus in the Senate Majority Caucus remains on you—the Kentucky taxpayer. We continue to advance fiscally responsible, pro-growth, conservative policies that support families, strengthen communities, and invest in the future of our commonwealth.
You’ll notice in your upcoming paycheck that more of your hard-earned dollars are staying with you. Through thoughtful, incremental reductions in the individual income tax rate, Kentucky’s rate has now been lowered from 6 percent to 3.5 percent, with the latest 0.5 percent cut taking effect on January 1. Each half-percent reduction leaves approximately $700 million with Kentucky families and consumers, providing needed flexibility as households manage the cost of living. You know best how to utilize your hard-earned money.
Throughout the session, lawmakers will address a wide range of priorities, including affordability, education, housing, job creation, and public safety.
As a budget session, the legislature’s primary responsibility is to adopt a new two-year state budget and road plan. That process begins in the House of Representatives, which crafts and passes the initial budget proposal. Once the Senate receives it, we will offer revisions, advocate for district and statewide priorities, and negotiate a final budget with our House counterparts.
In addition to the budget, the General Assembly is considering numerous individual policy bills. Any bill may be filed in either chamber and must move through committee review, floor debate, and both chambers before reaching the governor’s desk. Bills can be amended through committee substitutes or floor amendments, and only identical versions may be enacted.
During week one, I was proud to announce that I will co-sponsor a forthcoming bill to reform how driver’s license services are delivered across Kentucky. This legislation, to be introduced by my good friend Sen. Aaron Reed of Shelbyville, addresses concerns about the current regional system and responds directly to public frustration, especially in counties without a permanent licensing office. This bill takes meaningful steps to improve oversight and restore local access, ensuring services are delivered by trusted members of the community. You can trust members of the Senate GOP will be delivering tangible conservative results during this session, and this bill is just one example. It’s what people have called for, and we will deliver. We hear you.
Some legislation filed during the first week included several education-related measures important to our schools and hard-working teachers. One bill would increase protections for teachers in the classroom. Another bill addresses the teacher workforce by strengthening the pipeline from student to teacher through the ‘grow your own’ program. Finally, we have received extensive feedback from our teachers and communities regarding the previous session’s Senate Bill 181, which addresses staff-to-student communication parameters. Clean-up legislation under the same bill number has been filed. We are grateful to those who communicated their concerns about this very important and well-intended bill. Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, the bill’s primary sponsor, has engaged stakeholders and worked hard to put this bill together. I commend her leadership on this front. She is one of our caucus’s strongest voices for ensuring Kentucky’s children are protected.
I filed Senate Joint Resolution 17, which calls for an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishing term limits for members of Congress. Individual states cannot impose such limits, but through the constitutional process outlined in Article V, they can collaborate to call a convention to consider specific proposals. If approved, this resolution will formally notify Congress and help Kentucky lead on this important issue of government accountability.
As Senate majority floor leader, I remain committed to an open and accessible process for the public despite the challenges and frustrations posed by the reconstruction of our beautiful Capitol Building. As a reminder, all bills are available online for review at legislature.ky.gov, and every committee meeting and Senate proceeding is streamed live and archived via KET and the LRC’s YouTube channel. Although we’re meeting in a temporary chamber, space has been reserved for the general public to visit, observe, and engage with the legislative process, as much of the work occurs in the Capitol Annex.
Week one sets the tone, but the most consequential decisions still lie ahead. I’m committed to leading this session with purpose and principle—ensuring Kentucky’s budget reflects both fiscal discipline and a long-term vision. Whether in committee, on the floor, or in conversation with constituents, I’ll keep working to promote policies that serve the people of our district and the commonwealth as a whole.
You may reach my office with comments or questions by calling 502-564-8100 or emailing me at Max.Wise@kylegislature.gov.
PHOTO: (From left) Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, confers with Senate Minority Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, during day four floor proceedings on Friday morning. 1.9.26. Photo Credit: David Hargis, Photographer, Public Information Office, Legislative Research Commission.
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Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. Wise serves as Senate majority floor leader. He is a member of the Senate Committees on Education, and Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. As part of Senate leadership, Wise also serves on the Legislative Research Commission, the Rules Committee, and the Committee on Committees.
(Dustin R. Isaacs – Office of Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise)