Chamber cites McDaniel’s leadership protecting Kentucky’s long-term financial stability and advancing responsible budgeting
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 20, 2026) — Sen. Chris McDaniel, Ryland-Heights, has been recognized by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as an MVP of the 2026 General Assembly for his leadership overseeing the development of Kentucky’s two-year state budget and maintaining the commonwealth’s long-term financial stability.
McDaniel serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee.
The chamber recognized McDaniel for helping craft a state budget that maintained fiscal discipline, limited excessive spending and borrowing and protected Kentucky’s long-term financial position.
“Kentucky has worked for years to build a stronger financial foundation, and we stayed committed to that approach this session,” McDaniel said. “We prioritized responsible budgeting, protected taxpayers and continued making strategic investments without compromising long-term fiscal stability. While many pressured and prodded lawmakers to divert from the proven course, I’m happy to say we remained committed to the principles of budgeting and pro-growth policies that have helped get to where we are today.”
The 2026 General Assembly approved a budget that continued investments in infrastructure, education, pension stability and economic development while maintaining strong reserves and conservative fiscal management.
The session was followed by historic revenue news for Kentucky.
For the first time in commonwealth history, monthly general fund revenues exceeded $2 billion after April receipts increased 15.2 percent compared to April 2025.
The milestone followed years of conservative budgeting and phased tax reform policies advanced by the Republican-led General Assembly.
Lawmakers have reduced Kentucky’s individual income tax rate from 6 percent to 3.5 percent through a trigger-based approach designed to maintain fiscal stability, improve Kentucky’s competitiveness and allow taxpayers to keep more of their earnings.
“Every year we hear predictions that pro-growth policies and tax relief will weaken Kentucky financially, and every year the numbers continue proving otherwise,” McDaniel said. “Kentucky is outperforming expectations because we remained loyal to policies and budgeting conducive to long-term growth and economic competitiveness. We remained committed to Kentucky taxpayers, without whom none of this would be possible.”
McDaniel added that he was also pleased that the 2026 Legislative Session resulted in the approval of his constitutional amendment, which offers Kentucky voters the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on a governor’s pardon powers.
“Not only did this session result in an equalization of government investment and spending, but also an equalization of justice for all citizens,” McDaniel said. “With a majority of voters’ support, the ballot measure on this November’s general election ballot will ensure justice does not only exist for the wealthy and influential who can buy a pardon.”
Chamber celebrates a successful session
The Kentucky Chamber identified continued tax reform, economic development, infrastructure investment and workforce growth among its major legislative priorities entering the 2026 session.
Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts praised McDaniel’s leadership throughout the session.
“These lawmakers demonstrated leadership in advancing policies that strengthen the commonwealth,” Watts said. “The Kentucky Chamber applauds their work to ensure businesses can grow, communities can thrive and more Kentuckians have the opportunity to succeed.”
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Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, represents the 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County. McDaniel serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee and co-chair of the 2026-28 Budget Preparation and Submission Committee. He is an ex officio member of each budget review subcommittee. Additionally, McDaniel is a member of the Senate Committees on Licensing and Occupations and State and Local Government. He also serves as a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (ex officio, non-voting).
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate123.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of McDaniel.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees and additional resources, including legislation enacted during the recently concluded 2026 Legislative Session.
Lawmakers will return to Frankfort in June to start the 2026 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2027 30-day session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.
Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.
You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.
