Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation has released its 2025 State Economic Scorecard for Kentucky, offering citizens of the Bluegrass State a detailed look at how legislators in Frankfort approach limited-government economic policy.
The Scorecard analyzes policies and votes to assign an Economic Growth Score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest support for limited-government policies. In 2025, the Foundation’s study examined over 700 floor votes and, in the end, included 17 Kentucky House votes and 17 Kentucky Senate votes.
“The Club for Growth Foundation’s Scorecard series offers Kentuckians, and Americans across the country, insights into how their representatives approach bills that would limit the government’s involvement in their day-to-day lives,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “Despite efforts to lower the individual tax rate, rein in Medicaid programs, and limit the authority of unelected bureaucrats, there is still much to be done in Frankfort. Increasing property taxes, expanding cabinet offices to provide taxpayer-funded subsidies for specific industries, and implementing paid leave mandates for teachers will make Kentucky less competitive for years to come. Legislators must reevaluate their priorities to ensure the future success of the Bluegrass State.”
Click here to view the full 2025 Kentucky State Economic Scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
Key Highlights from the 2025 Kentucky Scorecard
Kentucky House:
- Average Republican Score: 74%
- Average Democratic Score: 19%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. T.J. Roberts (HD-66): 94%
- Highest Rated Democrats(s): Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty (HD-95): 31%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon (HD-81): 63%
- Lowest Rated Democrats(s): Rep. Nima Kulkarni (HD-40): 9%
Kentucky Senate:
- Average Republican Score: 70%
- Average Democrat Score: 17%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Jimmy Higdon (SD-14), Sen. Steve Rawlings (SD-11), and Sen. Brandon Smith (SD-30): 75%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Robin Webb (SD-18): 47%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Steve West (SD-27): 59%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Gerald Neal (SD-33): 5%
Notable Pro Limited-Government Legislation
HB 1 – SIGNIFICANT INCOME TAX REDUCTION
- Lowers the individual income tax rate from 4 percent to 3.5 percent, effective January 1, 2026.
- Estimated $359 million in relief for FY2025-2026 and $718 million each year thereafter.
HB 695 – SIGNIFICANT MEDICAID REFORMS
- Prohibits the Department of Medicaid Services (DMS) from making any changes to eligibility, coverage, services, or benefits without express approval from the state legislature.
- Implements a mandatory work requirement for able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 60 who are enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program.
SB 84 – ELIMINATING STATE CHEVRON DEFERENCE
- Eliminates so-called “Chevron deference” at the state level, ensuring that unelected state bureaucrats do not interpret statutes or regulations implemented by the state legislature with the expectation that a state court will automatically defer to the agency’s interpretation.
- Requires courts to apply de novo review when rendering decisions on regulatory actions, providing a neutral posture that ultimately curbs big government and protects hardworking families.
Notable Anti Limited-Government Legislation
HB 606 – CRONY TAX INCREASE SCHEME
- Allows multiple local governments to enter into real estate arrangements to create special taxing authorities for government-preferred projects that create at least 500 jobs.
- These new tax districts are empowered to levy a $0.10 tax for every $100 of assessed property value and impose a three percent occupational licensing fee equal to the salary and wages of those working within this new tax district.
SB 1 – CRONY HOLLYWOOD EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
- Establishes the Kentucky Film Office within the Cabinet of Economic Development to oversee grants and fees associated with taxpayer-backed rewards for the film industry.
- Diverts portions of the lodging tax to fund the new film office and creates a Film Leadership Council to funnel taxpayer-backed subsidies from the $75 million Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program to well-connected Hollywood insiders.
SB 9 – MASSIVE NEW PAID LEAVE MANDATE
- Requires school districts to implement 30 days of paid leave for the birth of a child by July 1, 2030, and requires the state to pay the actuarial cost of sick leave when calculating retirement benefits.
- While the total cost to taxpayers of this new mandate remains unknown, paid leave mandates are regressive and often necessitate new taxes.
Note: This Scorecard is based on selected votes and does not reflect a legislator’s entire voting record. The Club for Growth Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.