Gov. Beshear gives updates on economic development, medical cannabis, and other plans

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Governor Andy Beshear was featured on CBS' Face The Nation Sunday.

He discussed different things like economic development in Kentucky and how President Elect Donald Trump's administration will impact the Commonwealth.

Before that appearance, WKYT got the chance to talk to Beshear one-on-one about these topics and others that involve the well-being of Kentuckians.

Beshear first touched on one of his latest announcements, Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing.

Its a $712 million dollar investment set to create more than 1,500 jobs.

"We're on the biggest, best economic development win streak in our lifetime and it needs to come to every county and every community, so my plan, moving forward, is to first, keep bringing it in, but to be intentional about the sites we suggest to these companies, about where they can go to secure a strong workforce," he said.

He also gave insight on whether medical cannabis dispensaries will actually be ready to dispense product by January 1.

He said the growers, processors and some labs have already been announced, but given the inspection guidelines these labs have to face, it may push things back.

"Those will have to set their location, they'll have to get the product, they'll have to pass the inspections, so we may have some operations in January, but probably not a huge amount on the shelf, but what it means is the quality of he overall program is going to be there, the safety of the overall program is going to be there," Beshear said.

He then discussed an issue he thinks is gonna take some work across party lines to get passed this legislative session: Universal pre-k.

"Just imagine removing one full year of costs for childcare, that's ten plus thousand dollars for most of our families, that can be life changing. Its gonna require us to work with the childcare industry, because that's gonna change their model a little bit and they're gonna deserve some investment," he said. "When they've done this in other states, you see the workforce participation rate just sky rocket, especially the maternal work force rate."

Beshear added that universal pre-k would also ensure children are better prepared for kindergarten and prevents them from falling even further behind their peers if they don't meet those benchmarks to begin with.