Andy disputes claims his administration withheld figures for senior meals, blames General Assembly for underfunding

The speaker, who identified himself only as "Andy," pushed back against reporting that his administration failed to provide figures needed to fully fund senior meal programs and blamed the General Assembly for cuts to key services.

"That is entirely untrue," Andy said, responding to a report he cited in Western Kentucky that quoted a legislator saying the administration "didn't tell them the amount that was needed to fully fund senior meals." "I submitted a budget to the general assembly that had the full amount needed," he added. "All they had to do was agree to it."

Andy went on to fault the legislature's recent budget choices, saying the General Assembly "woefully underfunded Medicaid, made cuts to behavioral health services that are so important to so many families with children of special needs," and also underfunded senior programs and parks. He framed those decisions as the primary drivers of shortfalls affecting families across the Commonwealth.

He said his office has tried short-term fixes: "I am doing my best folks to find every dollar I can to try to brunt some of this," and described an effort to develop a plan intended to help a specialty clinic area. But he cautioned that such measures can provide only temporary relief: "There are only so many times that I can put a band aid on some of these issues."

Andy urged residents to press lawmakers for sustained funding. "I need you to raise your voice with these legislators," he said, noting that while a "super majority" has limited direct access at the legislature, constituents can still call and email their representatives.

He closed by assuring listeners he will continue working to find resources and will not stop pressing the issue: "Know that I'm with you. I'm fighting for you, and I will not stop."