It is day 49 of the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly.

There are 60 days in this lawmaking session.

Today, the Senate passed its version of the state's two year state budget.

There are some key differences compared to the version passed by the House late last month.

Namely, the Senate version adds hundreds of millions of dollars in spending for the next fiscal year.

Our June Lefler takes a look at where some of that money could be going.

This as we kick off tonight's legislative update.

The Senate's leading budget negotiator presented the latest budget bills today in committee and on the Senate floor.

The major House Bill 500 now offers retired state workers an additional check to cover the rising costs of living.

That's never happened before.

It's been 15 years since the General Assembly offered any boost for retirees.

Though this 13th check won't be the same for everyone.

That check will be 100% check for pre 2015 retirees.

It will be a 50% check for retirees between 15 and 20, and 25% check for retirees after 2020.

That would cost more than $80 million.

The Senate voted unanimously in favor of three budget bills today.

Democrats and progressives say the latest budget is better than the House version.

And come together in agreeing collectively.

And speaking in one voice is very important.

However, it's very important also to understand that not everybody is going to be satisfied by what we do here.

And that includes myself and the fact that we have a continuing process going forward.

At this time, I vote yes.

The left leaning Kentucky Center for Economic Policy released its budget analysis saying, quote, the Senate's version of the next two year state budget eases some of the cuts included in the House budget.

The budget does not aim to trigger additional income tax cuts under the legislature's formula over the next two years, but substantially underspending relative to revenue.

The Senate stepped in to save higher education from serious cuts proposed in the House.

Post-secondary institutions are generally held harmless from any cuts in an unfunded at the base level.

However, we do increase general fund by 5 million in year one and 15 in year two for the Performance Fund.

Local governments will also get some relief from reimbursement rates for holding state inmates.

County jails get $35 per inmate per day.

The latest House bill, 500, increases that per diem by $4 over the next two years.

All budget bills now head back to the House for consensus or more revisions for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Jen Leffler.

Thank you so much, June.

Like the House, the Senate version of the budget calls for cuts of 4% and 3% over the next two years to many state agencies.

But there are some exceptions, including Veterans Affairs, Family Resource and Youth Service centers, Juvenile Justice, and others.

Also, House Bill 900 is a one time spending bill meant to kickstart economic development and other projects across the state.

The more than $800 million are set aside.

The bill currently outlines no specific projects.