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Pastoral counselors added to school ‘guardian’ bill as it clears House committee
FRANKFORT — A bill authorizing armed “guardians” to fill vacant law enforcement positions in Kentucky schools was passed by a House committee Tuesday morning with several new additions, including one allowing pastoral counselors in schools.? Discussion among House Education Committee members largely centered on an amendment for Senate Bill 2 from Irvington Republican Rep. Josh […]
Eastern and Western Kentucky rebuilding projects get House nod
FRANKFORT — A House shell bill was changed in a committee Monday afternoon to move millions of dollars from disaster relief funds into rebuilding projects in Eastern and Western Kentucky.? Twenty members of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee voted for the new version of House Bill 752. The bill was later approved on the […]
Lawrence superintendent chosen as Kentucky education commissioner. Next stop state Senate.
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Board of Education has named Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Robbie Fletcher as the next state commissioner of education.? The announcement was made during a special meeting of the board Thursday afternoon.? However, Fletcher still must be confirmed by the Senate, according to a new law passed last year. Pending his confirmation, […]
Cursive writing would become a ‘course of study’ in Kentucky public schools under Tichenor’s bill
FRANKFORT — A Republican senator wants to ensure that students become proficient in cursive handwriting in Kentucky’s public elementary schools.? Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, of Smithfield, presented Senate Bill 167, which would require cursive writing to be taught “as a course of study” in elementary schools, to the House Education Committee Tuesday. The Senate has already […]
As legislature heads into home stretch, here’s some of what remains to be done
FRANKFORT — With eight days left in this session and a slew of decisions pending, the Kentucky House and Senate reconvene Thursday afternoon after a three-day break. High on lawmakers’ to-do list will be finalizing the next two-year state budget. The Senate also must consider changes to the tax code approved with little public notice […]
Senate committee OKs bill to change Kentucky’s process for filling US Senate vacancies
A House bill that would change how Kentucky fills vacancies in U.S. Senate seats is moving in the Senate.? The Senate State and Local Government committee forwarded House Bill 622 in a vote of 10-1 Wednesday. Sponsored by House Republican Floor Leader Steven Rudy, of Paducah, the bill would end the governor’s power to fill […]
‘Power grab,’ says Beshear of bill to move Fish and Wildlife to agriculture department
LOUISVILLE — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday called a Republican-backed bill that would move the state’s wildlife management agency from his administration to the agriculture department an unconstitutional “power grab.”? Beshear also called out Senate Republicans for refusing to confirm his appointees to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.? “It’s time for them to stop […]
House votes to end diversity, equity, inclusion programs in Kentucky public higher education?
FRANKFORT — Despite hours of impassioned pleas by Democrats, the Republican-dominated House approved a bill that aims to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities and colleges in Kentucky.? The House ultimately voted 68-18 to approve an overhauled Senate Bill 6. Republican Rep. Killian Timoney, of Lexington, voted against the measure.?The only Democrat […]
Sweeping GOP crime bill clears Kentucky Senate despite judiciary chairman’s opposition
FRANKFORT — A GOP-backed omnibus crime bill won state Senate approval Friday over the objections of the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Long after I’m gone, we are going to be paying for it — figuratively and literally,” warned Sen. Whitney Westerfield in an impassioned speech that did not dissuade his colleagues from […]
‘Game changer:’ Amendment for public dollars to nonpublic schools clears General Assembly
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Senate on Friday joined the House in passing legislation for a constitutional amendment — called a “game changer” by one Republican supporter — that would allow public dollars to fund nonpublic schools.? In a vote of 27-8, Senators approved House Bill 2. Eastern Kentucky Republican Sens. Brandon Storm and Phillip Wheeler […]
With bill sponsor absent, House committee expands Senate curbs on diversity in higher education
FRANKFORT —The House Education Committee on Thursday overhauled and expanded Senate-approved restrictions on diversity programs without hearing from the bill’s Senate sponsor. Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, presented a substitute for Senate Bill 6 that goes much further than the version approved by the Senate and sponsored by Senate Republican Whip Mike Wilson. Decker’s substitute would […]
Senate Judiciary Committee forwards omnibus Kentucky crime bill without chairman’s vote
FRANKFORT — Chairman Whitney Westerfield, a Republican, joined two Democrats in voting against a sweeping crime bill Thursday as the Senate Judiciary Committee approved its version of the controversial measure. Westerfield, who had proposed a rewrite of House Bill 5, said he preferred his version but “I don’t have the votes.”? Instead the committee approved […]