Americans for Prosperity drives regulatory reform in the Bluegrass State
The high cost of regulations was taking its toll in the Bluegrass State.
And there’s little wonder why. The Kentucky Administrative Regulations boasts 122,000+ restrictions and comes in at over 6.5 million words.
According to Heather LeMire, Americans for Prosperity’s Kentucky state director, “Burdensome government regulations … make life harder for everyday Kentuckians. … [The] rulemaking process leaves too many in the dark, creating barriers to growth and opportunity.”
AFP’s team in Kentucky has been working to address this since the chapter’s launch in 2014. And finally, after years of hard work from AFP’s grassroots army, Kentucky lawmakers passed the REINS Act earlier this month.
THE REINS ACT EMPOWERS THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, or REINS, requires the legislature’s approval or review of proposed agency regulations that impose serious financial or economic impacts — before the regulations become effective.
It’s one of the best reforms to restore the separation of powers and empower the people’s voices through their representatives:
- Boosting economies by driving investment through increased regulatory certainty
- Protecting our liberties not just today but generations into the future
And there’s broad support for this reform across party lines. In fact, recent polling indicates 68% of likely voters support requiring legislative approval for costly regulations — because it gives the people a voice.
AFP HELPS OVERRIDE GOV. ANDY BESHEAR’S VETO
But despite widespread support — and passage in both chambers — the fight wasn’t over:
Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed this critical piece of legislation.
AFP’s team went into overdrive, mobilizing thousands of activists to help override Gov. Beshear’s veto and make this law a reality. They showed up at the capitol, wrote letters, and called their legislators to help push this transformational bill across the finish line.
AFP’s dedicated Kentucky advocates take part in a recent Day at the Capitol in Frankfort.
To help reinforce AFP’s grassroots efforts, AFP’s Kentucky team also launched a series of highly targeted digital ads to pave the way for the REINS Act to become law.
You can read more about this monumental victory in the Kentucky Lantern.
AFP IS REINING IN REGULATIONS IN NEARLY TWO DOZEN MORE STATES
With this landmark reform, Kentucky becomes the sixth state to enact the REINS Act, building on the success we’ve seen in Florida, Kansas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, going back to 2016.
Thanks to the support of activists like you, AFP’s grassroots army is fighting to rein in regulations in nearly two dozen states across the country, including Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia, leading the charge in 2025.
YOUR VOICE COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
As you may know, these state-level reforms are more than just local victories. Each win helps build crucial momentum for comprehensive reform in Washington, D.C., where AFP’s team of policy experts is driving similar legislation.
The opportunity to rein in a runaway administrative state and pave the way for a new era of prosperity in this country is within reach. But it won’t happen without bold action. The voices of grassroots activists like you are essential. Your voice could make the critical difference in this fight.
