FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The state has overhauled its public assistance programs in response to the cascading effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Emily Beauregard, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, said during the declared COVID-19 state of emergency, if you are younger than 65 and don't have health insurance, you can apply for temporary health benefits through Medicaid, regardless of income level.

She said the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has simplified the online application.

"The governor has been clear that he wants all Kentuckians to enroll in health care coverage," Beauregard said. "Enrolling in Medicaid coverage is the fastest, simplest way for Kentuckians to get access to health coverage now that will cover them if they need testing, if they need any sort of treatment related to COVID-19 or any other health care during this time."

The temporary Medicaid benefits application form can be found at kycovid19.ky.gov under the "services" tab.

Beauregard said the health coverage will last through June 30. She also noted individuals who already are enrolled in Medicaid will see an automatic three-month extension of benefits.

Senior Policy Analyst at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Dustin Pugel said Kentucky now is relying heavily on its unemployment insurance program to help more families stay afloat during the recession. He said he hopes the COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call for state lawmakers.

"For the last two years, there have been bills in the General Assembly that have gotten a lot of attention to actually cut unemployment insurance benefits," Pugel said. "And fortunately for the state, neither of those was successful. And I hope this is a good lesson as to why we don't need legislation like that."

He stressed that individuals who traditionally haven't been eligible for unemployment insurance can now apply, including the self-employed, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers and child-care providers.

Texas is the number one exporting state in the nation - and although tariffs with Mexico and Canada have been delayed, Texans are still uneasy about their financial future. President Donald Trump has levied a 145% tariff on products from China, with all other countries subject to a 10% tariff.

Ray Perryman, economics professor at the International Institute for Advanced Studies says as the trade wars continue, Texans can expect to pay higher prices for everything.

"When steel and aluminum cost more and lumber costs more, that means houses cost more. There's a lot of cars that are made in Texas, where various pieces of it cross the border five or six times. So, when you start levying a 25% tariff every time something crosses the border, that's when you start adding thousands of dollars to the price of a car," he said.

Mexico is the top import-export market for the Lone Star State. And Texas companies imported almost $160 billion in goods last year.

A report by the Perryman Group estimates if the tariffs with China remain in place, and tariffs with Mexico and Canada are unfrozen, Texas would lose more than $50 billion a year and more than 400,000 jobs. Perryman adds the uncertainty of the markets is crippling.

"One of the worst things for an economy is uncertainty, because if you're not sure what's going to happen, you don't know what to do. And most people respond to that by not doing anything. You don't want to bring out a new product, you don't want to build a new plant, you don't want to hire more people, you don't want to make a big purchase if you're uncertain about the future," he continued.

Perryman predicts if tariffs with Mexico and Canada go into effect, all the tariffs combined would cost each American household an additional $1,500 a year.


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New residents of West Virginia can now use professional and occupational licenses issued in other states. Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who signed the bill into law last week, says the change will help boost the state's workforce. Senate Bill 458 allows professionals to practice statewide without taking local exams to maintain their license or certification.

Dr. Andy Tanner, with Vandalia Health, said the law will boost the medical workforce and help people get the care they need.

"And a lot of times, what happens is we recruit physicians, they agree to come, and then there's a delay in their license, and most of these folks are coming from out of state," he explained.

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans need a license to work. According to the Institute for Justice, in a dozen states, boards will only grant a license if the home state requires "substantially equivalent" education, experience, or training to receive a license. West Virginia joins 8 other states which recognize a home state license if it has a "similar scope of practice."

Morrisey said universal licensing will help the state's economy grow.

"When other states passed universal licensing, it helped increase their workforce by thousands. This is going to ensure that nurses, doctors, contractors, Realtors, skilled workers, you can move to West Virginia, and you can get to work right away," he asserted.

States with universal licensing laws have seen increased migration and job creation, according to the America First Policy Institute.

Utah labor unions are working to repeal the state's recent ban on collective bargaining for public employees - and they're on a tight timeline. The coalition known as "Protect Utah Workers" is working to gather 141,000 signatures by tomorrow, to get the issue on the 2026 ballot. Backers of the law that was House Bill 267 argue it will make public employers' wages and benefits more competitive.

Donavan Minutes, a Salt Lake City firefighter, said collective bargaining is about more than higher wages, and added that it is also about safety, especially in his line of work.

"We're able to have 'four-handed' staffing in Salt Lake City because our union fought and negotiated for that standard - that way, when there is an emergency, you have four highly trained firefighters that are prepared to show up," he explained. "And in contrast, you have other departments, they don't have the same collective bargaining power as we've been able to have."

Minutes added the peer support programs also run through their union make a positive difference. Those who want to ban collective bargaining argue tax dollars should serve the public, not union interests. But Protect Utah Workers says it's confident the group will reach the signature goal by tomorrow's deadline.

Hailey Higgins, Utah Education Association spokesperson, called HB 267 a "highly unpopular bill" and "a solution looking for a problem." She argued collective bargaining helps all employees, even those who aren't union members.

"It's not a political move, it just gives the people of Utah an opportunity to say whether they want their public unions to bargain collectively or not. We're confident we'll be able to get this on the November ballot of next year," she contended.

Utah has one of the most challenging referendum processes in the nation, requiring sponsors to get signatures from 8% of Utah voters, from at least 15 of the 29 Senate districts and within 30 days of the petition's launch. Higgins said it has been hard work, but is an effort worth fighting for.

"We could not have done what we have done so far without all of our supporters. We have law enforcement who have joined into this coalition, as well as mine workers, steel workers, nurses and food service workers," she continued. "It's been pretty remarkable to see the solidarity among our union partners, but also the public."