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Sex, gender, parents’ rights: A roundup of Kentucky education legislation
FRANKFORT — The recently-ended legislative session brought education to the forefront of Kentucky politics in an election year for statewide offices.? Lawmakers approved legislation aimed at tackling a shortage of teachers, though the Republican-controlled General Assembly never considered Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s proposal to provide school employees with 5% pay raises. The education debates that […]
Cameron joins attorneys general in opposing federal regulations on gas stoves
Kentucky’s Daniel Cameron joined a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in opposing a proposed federal regulation on the sale of gas stoves currently on the market.? The move from the group of state officials is in response to a Department of Energy proposal to require efficiency standards for cooktop appliances. Growing evidence shows gas […]
Republicans say they lost committee seats for bucking House leadership
FRANKFORT — Shortly after House members finished their business for this year’s regular session, six Republicans were removed from committee assignments, an action that some in the GOP are calling punishment for bucking leadership.? Some of those who lost committee assignments say they were not given a reason. The changes were announced Thursday night before […]
Bipartisanship abounds as Beshear signs bills legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting
FRANKFORT — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear called Friday an “amazing” day as he signed two pieces of legislation — legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting — that were passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.? With legislative sponsors and advocates gathered around him in the Capitol Rotunda, Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 and House Bill 551. […]
3 Republicans running for Kentucky governor decry Trump indictment as politically motivated
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. FRANKFORT — Kentucky Republicans running for governor are decrying the indictment of former President Donald Trump as politics. Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who was?endorsed by Trump?in June 2022, called the indictment “politically motivated,” in a statement shared on social media.? “Like […]
Medical marijuana will be legal in Kentucky, but not until 2025
FRANKFORT — On the last day of the legislative session, the Kentucky General Assembly has passed a bill that legalizes medical marijuana for some Kentuckians who suffer from chronic illnesses.? The House voted 66-33 to approve Senate Bill 47. Representatives have passed similar measures in previous years, but this year marked the first time legislation […]
Kentucky Senate Judiciary chairman will not seek reelection in 2024
A Republican state senator from Western Kentucky has announced that he will not seek reelection.? Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, released a statement about his decision on social media Thursday morning, the last day of the current legislative session. He said he was “eager to spend more time with my family” after his term ends […]
GOP lawmakers file resolutions urging education commissioner’s dismissal for LGBTQ+ guidance
FRANKFORT — After Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass was criticized by lawmakers for inclusive guidance for the state’s LGBTQ+ students, two lawmakers filed resolutions urging the Kentucky Board of Education to dismiss him from his role.? Calloway was speaking in support of overriding Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 150, a sweeping anti-trans […]
Legislature overrides all Beshear vetoes, could still pass medical marijuana and sports betting
FRANKFORT — Republicans on Wednesday flexed their supermajorities to override all 15 vetoes by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, while other notable legislation still awaits final passage. The GOP-controlled legislature could give final passage to bills legalizing medical marijuana and sports gambling after failed attempts to do so in past years. The legislature also could repeal […]
All 12 GOP governor candidates invited to Northern Kentucky debate
The 12 Republicans seeking the party’s nomination in the upcoming governor’s race have been invited to a two-night debate in Northern Kentucky next month.? A collaboration between the Kenton County Republican Party, WCPO 9 and LINK nky, the event will be held at the Lincoln Grant Scholar House on April 25 and 26.? A press […]
Process for challenging ‘obscene’ books, school programs becomes law without Beshear’s signature
A bill that opponents warn could lead to book banning became law without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature after the governor chose not to sign or veto the measure. Secretary of State Michael Adams said Senate Bill 5 was delivered to his office without the governor’s signature Monday afternoon.? The measure, which had an emergency clause […]
Beshear vetoes bill to stop automatic payroll deductions for certain public employee unions
Calling it “an attack on unions and teacher associations that support and protect hard working Kentucky families,” Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would stop automatic payroll deductions for some public employees’ unions or association dues. In his veto message, the governor said Senate Bill 7 violates the Kentucky Constitution by “targeting public […]