Government
University of Kentucky president says he opposes anti-diversity legislation moving in General Assembly
University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto is publicly opposing proposed restrictions on higher education that are pending in the General Assembly, including a Senate-approved bill aimed at curbing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). “As the University of Kentucky’s president, let me be clear: I am opposed to the legislation regarding both DEI and tenure,” Capilouto […]
Kentucky Senate takes aim at ‘harassing’ drones photographing livestock, food production
FRANKFORT — A bill backed by Kentucky’s poultry industry and approved by the Senate Thursday would subject drone operators to new restrictions that opponents warn could help hide health and safety hazards in food production. Critics worry that Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Sen. John Schickel, a Republican from Northern Kentucky, could criminalize more activities […]
Bill loosening Kentucky child labor laws clears House committee
FRANKFORT — Some Kentucky teenagers could work longer and later hours —? something critics say threatens youngsters’ safety and success in life — under a bill approved by a House committee Thursday with Republican support. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown, would repeal Kentucky’s existing child labor laws and align them with […]
No statues to be removed or added to Rotunda without legislative OK under advancing bill
FRANKFORT —?Almost four years after the Beshear administration removed a Confederate statue from the Capitol Rotunda, the House State Government Committee forwarded a bill that would give the General Assembly final say over what may be permanently displayed there. House Bill 513, sponsored by Rep. David Hale, R-Wellington, would give the General Assembly approval power […]
Biden administration picks airports for nearly $1 billion in terminal upgrades
The Biden administration will send close to $1 billion to airports across the country to upgrade terminal facilities, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday. The $970 million in grants will go to 144 airports in 44 states and three territories. Earmarked for terminal improvements, Buttigieg and other administration officials said the grants would fund projects […]
Despite bipartisan opposition, Senate passes bill changing sick-leave pay for teacher retirees
FRANKFORT —?A few Senate Republicans joined Democrats in voting against a measure that would change how Kentucky teachers are paid for accumulated sick leave when they retire, but the bill received enough votes to pass Wednesday.? Some Republicans argued Senate Bill 4 was necessary to ensure the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) can continue to pay […]
‘Victims before perpetrators:’ Senate passes bill to try certain juveniles as adults?
FRANKFORT — A bill making it easier for Kentucky to try certain juveniles as adults passed out of the Senate Wednesday 25-9-1 after a heated debate.? Under Senate Bill 20, Kentuckians would be transferred to circuit court for trial as an adult if, among other things, they were at least 15 years old at the […]
Public could lose access to many government records under bill that House speaker supports
FRANKFORT—A newly-filed bill one expert said “would eviscerate access to public records” in Kentucky is drawing fire from news organizations and open records advocates even as its sponsor says such claims are untrue and overblown. “Access by the public to disclosable public records will not be hindered in the least,” Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, said […]
House approves easing educational requirements for substitute teachers in Kentucky
FRANKFORT — A proposal to lower the educational requirements to be a substitute teacher in Kentucky easily cleared the House Wednesday. Before voting in favor of House Bill 387, Democratic Rep. Sarah Stalker of Louisville warned that the need for the bill is a symptom of a larger problem: the state’s shortage of teachers and […]
House budget slams the brakes on future electric vehicle purchases by some state agencies
FRANKFORT — Auto manufacturers are investing billions in Kentucky to build electric vehicles, but some state agencies wouldn’t be able to buy them under a mandate from the Republican House. The two-year state spending plan passed by the GOP-dominated House this month would require various state agencies looking to buy new vehicles to purchase only […]
House plan would create ‘a hole’ in Kentucky Medicaid budget, Senate committee told
FRANKFORT — The state Senate began its review of the House two-year budget proposal Wednesday, starting with Medicaid, a $15 billion a year program that provides health coverage and other services to about 1.5 million low income, disabled or other Kentuckians. The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee heard from Eric Friedlander, secretary of the Cabinet […]
Bill to limit governor pardons, commutations around elections passes Senate committee?
FRANKFORT —?A bill that would limit Kentucky governors’ power to issue pardons or commute sentences was approved by the Senate State and Local Government Committee Wednesday.? Senate Bill 126 proposes a constitutional amendment to suspend the governor’s power to issue pardons or sentence commutations from 30 days before a gubernatorial election until the fifth Tuesday […]