Something's in the Water in Frankfort and it Ain’t Common Sense.
2025 Legislative Session - Week One
The 2025 legislative session just ended its first week, and it’s already shaping up to be... interesting. While we’re talking about what’s in the water—or isn’t—Nancy Tate, staying consistent with her legislative track record, has sponsored a handful of bills that highlight some troubling priorities. Alongside her is fellow legislator and co-sponsor Josh Calloway from Breckinridge County, whose contributions reflect a shared focus on advancing their radical agenda rather than offering practical solutions for Kentuckians. Here’s a rundown of the bills Nancy Tate has sponsored:
HB41: An Act Relating to the Kentucky Emergency Volunteer Corps
HB64: An Act Relating to Executive Orders and Declaring an Emergency
HB65: An Act Relating to the Display of the Ten Commandments in Schools
Let’s take a closer look at some of these bills and what they mean for Kentucky.
Nancy Tate’s Notable Bills
HB16: Weakening Water Fluoridation
This bill makes water fluoridation optional for local water systems. Fluoridation has long been a proven public health measure to reduce tooth decay, particularly in children and underserved communities. With HB16, we risk creating a patchwork system where some areas maintain this simple public health tool, and others let it fall by the wayside. Public health shouldn’t depend on your zip code.
During my 2024 campaign for State Representative, I emphasized the need to expand access to clean water. In Meade County alone, there are 420 miles of roads without access to water—an unacceptable situation in 2025. Instead of focusing on addressing this issue, Nancy Tate is sponsoring legislation that could make water less healthy and safe. It’s a puzzling move—why work to make basic necessities like water less safe for the people who rely on it? Learn more about water fluoridation.
HB64: Reversing the Conversion Therapy Ban
Governor Beshear’s Executive Order banning state and federal funding for conversion therapy was a landmark step for LGBTQ+ youth in Kentucky. Conversion therapy is widely discredited and linked to increased depression and suicide rates. Yet, HB64 seeks to undo this progress, allowing taxpayer dollars to fund harmful practices.
In September 2024, Nancy Tate appeared on The Leadership Podcast, part of The Messenger KY, hosted by a pastor at Journey Church in Brandenburg. During the discussion, she claimed that Governor Beshear’s executive order banning conversion therapy prevents counselors from even discussing gender identity with clients. According to Nancy, “If you go to a counselor to discuss [gender identity]...that counselor...could potentially lose their livelihood.”
This statement not only misrepresents the facts but also shows she doesn’t understand what conversion therapy is—despite sponsoring a bill to reverse its ban. Conversion therapy is not about conversations; it’s a harmful practice that attempts to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The hypocrisy here is hard to miss. Nancy Tate wants to allow taxpayer dollars to fund conversion therapy, a practice that actively harms LGBTQ+ individuals, while simultaneously pushing religious doctrine into public schools through HB65. Her legislative priorities aren’t about creating headlines—they’re about forcing her personal beliefs onto others through law. Read about the Executive Order or learn why major medical organizations oppose conversion therapy (source).
HB65: Mandating the Ten Commandments in Schools
This bill requires the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Proponents argue it’s about cultural heritage, but it’s hard to ignore the constitutional concerns and the exclusion it creates for non-Christian students. Public schools are meant to be welcoming spaces for all—not arenas for promoting one religion over others.
Nancy Tate’s legislative focus appears to be less about representing her constituents and more about advancing an agenda that prioritizes personal beliefs over public good.
HB174: Addressing Glucagon in Schools
Among the bills Nancy Tate has sponsored, HB174 stands out as one that has good intentions. The bill would allow schools to stock and administer undesignated glucagon to treat severe hypoglycemia in emergencies. While this could be a lifesaving measure, it raises questions about training, funding, and implementation. Who will ensure that school staff are adequately trained to administer glucagon safely? And will schools receive the resources they need to stock this medication reliably? These are the kinds of details that need to be addressed to make this bill as effective as it could be.
Other News in the Legislature
House Bill 203
Sponsored by Representative Ken Fleming, this bill revisits Kentucky’s abortion laws by introducing exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and lethal fetal anomalies. For instance, it permits abortions within six weeks of pregnancy in cases of rape or incest, or later in situations involving lethal fetal anomalies or substantial risks to the pregnant person's life. If this bill goes to a vote, Nancy Tate is likely to oppose it, as she has consistently stated she does not support abortion under any circumstances, including cases of rape or incest. Read more here.
House Bill 1
This bill proposes reducing Kentucky’s income tax rate to 3.5% by 2026. While proponents tout economic growth, critics warn of significant cuts to public services that could follow. It’s a gamble, and the stakes are high. Get the details here.
House Bill 86
Republican Representative TJ Roberts introduced a bill to loosen restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized milk, despite associated health risks. It’s curious—why are these legislators so focused on making things less safe for Kentuckians, whether it’s milk or water? The pattern is hard to ignore.
Why It Matters
This session is a reminder of the stakes in Frankfort. Whether it’s public health, education, or personal freedoms, the decisions made here will ripple across Kentucky. You know what isn’t in the water? Common-sense bills that actually improve the lives of Kentuckians. Nancy Tate and Josh Calloway’s bills show how quickly legislative priorities can veer from practical solutions to divisive distractions.
Now is the time to take action. Contact your legislators and let them know what you think about these bills. Tell them that Kentuckians deserve policies that prioritize safety, equality, and progress—not distractions. Staying informed and engaged isn’t just important—it’s essential. Let’s keep watching, speaking up, and ensuring that our representatives prioritize solutions over soundbites.
