The passage of the U.S. House’s version of the 2025 federal budget, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has sparked significant concern among residents of Kentucky. This legislation proposes nearly $700 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade, alongside substantial reductions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Additionally, it makes permanent a series of tax breaks aimed at wealthy individuals and corporations. These measures could have profound implications for families across Kentucky who rely heavily on these programs.

Medicaid currently provides health coverage for approximately 1.4 million Kentuckians, encompassing seniors in nursing homes, children with special needs, and working parents lacking employer-provided insurance. Similarly, SNAP supports over 575,000 Kentuckians in securing food essentials. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy warns that the adverse effects of this plan will far outweigh any minor benefits for Kentucky families, potentially leading to the closure of rural hospitals, increased food insecurity, and added strain on local services and state budgets.

Economists use the metaphor of the "flypaper effect" to illustrate why such trickle-down economic policies often fail. This concept explains how funds tend to remain where they initially land—accumulating in corporate reserves, stock buy-backs, executive bonuses, and the bank accounts of the ultra-wealthy—rather than reaching those in need. History has shown similar outcomes from past administrations’ tax cuts, which failed to deliver promised economic growth for most Americans while benefiting only the wealthiest few.

In response to criticism, the bill includes some concessions to the working class and retirees, such as exempting tips and overtime pay from federal income tax and allowing greater tax deductions on Social Security benefits for middle and low-income seniors. However, these gestures pale in comparison to the extensive, permanent tax advantages granted to affluent Americans. Experts argue that sustainable prosperity requires inclusive institutions rather than policies that concentrate wealth and power among a privileged few.

This new budget represents a continuation of policies that prioritize wealth accumulation at the top, exacerbating inequality and limiting opportunities for many Kentuckians. Instead of another round of tax breaks for the wealthy, strategic investments in people and infrastructure are needed to address the state's economic challenges. A budget should reflect shared values, prioritizing accessible healthcare, robust public schools, job training programs, and small business development. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act falls short in achieving these goals, deepening cycles of inequality and undermining possibilities for equitable progress.

Beyond mere financial planning, budgets serve as moral statements reflecting societal priorities. If valuing family and opportunity is paramount, then national budgets must align accordingly. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act fails to meet this standard, underscoring the urgent need for a federal budget that serves the broader population rather than just the privileged few.