I’m back in the saddle, and while I still have a few limitations, I have an awful lot to be thankful for.
The road to recovery following my accident hasn’t always been easy. It has taken some hard work, a good bit of patience and more prayers and encouragement than I could ever begin to count. But if there’s one thing I’ve been reminded of through all of this, it’s just how blessed we are to live among good people who look out for one another.
I’ve made my way back to the courtroom, the Capitol and the farm to tend to my cattle. And recently, I reached another milestone when I climbed back on a horse. Anyone who knows me knows how much that means.
To everyone who has called, checked in, offered a prayer or simply had a kind word along the way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As we head into the final months of the legislative interim, I also want to take some time to share a little of the work we’ve been doing in Frankfort. Much of what we’ve been discussing in committee has a direct impact on the farms, families and communities we call home in Boyd, Carter, Greenup and Lewis counties.
Keeping Kentucky-grown food close to home
Those of us who farm know that raising a good crop or a healthy herd is only part of the job. You’ve got to have somebody willing and able to buy what you produce, and you’ve got to be able to make a living doing it.
That’s why I’m encouraged by the opportunities taking shape through Senate Bill 5, which became law back in March.
The law gives participating school districts more flexibility to purchase Kentucky-grown agricultural products while continuing to meet federal school nutrition requirements. During the October 1 Agriculture Committee meeting, officials with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that 171 school districts had adopted the model purchasing policy.
Now, that’s a good start, but as anybody who has ever worked a farm knows, there’s a difference between having a plan on paper and making it work on the ground.
Our schools need a steady supply of food at prices they can afford. Our farmers need to know there’s going to be a dependable market before they invest the time and money it takes to raise a product. And somewhere in between, we’ve got to have the processing, storage and transportation needed to get that food from the farm to the schoolhouse.
The Department of Agriculture is working to bring schools and producers together and identify more Kentucky products that can be purchased locally.
I believe there’s a real opportunity here. If we can help Kentucky farmers sell more of what they raise right here at home, that’s good for agriculture, good for our local economies and good for the children sitting down to eat in our schools.
Taking care of the land that takes care of us
Around here, we understand the value of a good piece of ground and a dependable water source. You don’t have to tell a farmer how important it is to take care of the land. For many families, that land has been passed down through generations, and they hope to leave it in better shape for the next.
In September, the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee heard about the continued demand for conservation assistance across Kentucky.
Officials reported that the state’s soil and water cost-share program received 707 applications requesting approximately $8.57 million for fiscal year 2026. Of those, 306 applications were approved, totaling about $3.76 million.
These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. We’re talking about improvements such as livestock watering systems, erosion control and manure management. Those are the kinds of investments that can make a real difference in a farming operation while also protecting our creeks, streams and surrounding property.
Our local conservation districts do good work helping farmers understand these programs and find the assistance available to them.
But with more folks seeking help than there is money to go around, we’ve got to be thoughtful about how these dollars are spent. I want to make sure we’re putting resources where they’ll do the most good and help keep our family farms productive for years to come.
Keeping the lights on and costs down
Whether you’re running a household, operating a farm or trying to keep the doors open at a small business, you know what a difference the electric bill can make.
And as Kentucky looks to attract new employers and grow existing businesses, dependable and affordable electricity is going to be more important than ever.
At September’s Natural Resources and Energy Committee meeting, researchers from the University of Kentucky discussed how battery storage technology could help manage changes in electricity demand and short service interruptions.
They also made clear that batteries alone won’t replace the need for adequate power generation and transmission.
We heard about the possibility of producing more electricity at existing dams and using batteries alongside hydropower to make additional electricity available when demand is high. There are opportunities worth looking at, but there are also costs and lengthy federal approval processes to consider.
Eastern Kentucky has a long and proud history of helping power this country. Generations have worked hard in the energy industry, and we understand better than most that dependable energy doesn’t just happen.
As we look at new technologies and growing demand, I believe we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and ask some common-sense questions.
Can folks count on the power being there when they need it? Do we have the infrastructure to support it? And, perhaps most importantly, who’s going to pay for it?
Those are the questions I’ll keep asking as we work through these issues in Frankfort.
Standing behind the families who step up
One thing I’ve always appreciated about the people of northeastern Kentucky is that when somebody needs help, family and neighbors are usually the first to step forward.
We see that every day with grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who open their homes to children when circumstances make it difficult for their parents to care for them.
That kind of love and responsibility deserves our respect, but we also need to recognize that it isn’t always easy.
During September’s Families and Children Committee meeting, we discussed the challenges these caregivers face, particularly when it comes to getting a little relief from the day-to-day responsibilities of raising a child.
Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers while ensuring children remain in a safe and appropriate setting.
We heard from an advocate who explained that relatives caring for children outside the foster care system don’t always have access to the same support available to foster families. She encouraged lawmakers to look at ways to close that gap.
Committee members also raised questions about provider screening and training. No decisions were made to expand the program or provide additional funding, but it’s a conversation worth continuing.
We also heard about the difficulties families can face when a child returns home from residential treatment. Providers stressed the importance of planning and making sure families have the support they need once that child is back home.
I’ve always believed that taking care of children means doing right by the people who are doing their best to raise them. Sometimes that means making sure a grandparent or another family member has a little help when they need it most.
Remembering those who answered the call
One of the privileges of serving in the Kentucky Senate is having the opportunity to recognize the men and women who have served our country.
On September 29, I was proud to join veterans, their families and members of the Lewis County community in Vanceburg for the dedication of the Lewis County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
The idea was brought to Rep. Patrick Flannery and me by Principal Jack Lykins, and I was glad we could work together to see it through the legislative process.
The highway runs by Lewis County High School, and I can’t think of a more fitting place for a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served during the Vietnam War.
For many of these veterans, the welcome home they received was not the one they had earned. We can’t go back and change that, but we can make certain their service is remembered and their sacrifices are never taken for granted.
I was grateful to stand alongside these veterans and their families and offer a simple but heartfelt thank you for all they have done for our country.
Keep in touch
As we get closer to the 2027 Legislative Session, I hope you’ll reach out to let me know what’s on your mind.
I can read reports and listen to testimony in Frankfort all day long, but there’s no substitute for hearing directly from the people back home. Whether it’s a concern about your farm, your family, your business or something happening in your community, I want to hear from you.
You can reach my legislative office at 502-564-8100, email me at Robin.Webb@kylegislature.gov or leave a message through the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181.
Committee schedules and other legislative information are available at legislature.ky.gov, and KET continues to provide coverage of legislative meetings.
Finally, I want to say once more how much I appreciate the prayers, kindness and encouragement I’ve received throughout my recovery.
It’s been a long road, but I’m thankful to be back doing the things I love, serving the people of northeastern Kentucky and spending time on the farm.
And I can tell you one thing for certain: it sure does feel good to be back in the saddle.
