Government
GOP bill would give Kentucky teachers 20 days of maternity leave
FRANKFORT —?If a Republican-backed bill passes, Kentucky public school teachers would gain maternity leave, something not currently available to them. Senate Bill 205, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, of Smithfield, would provide 20 days of maternity leave to? public school employees after giving birth. Under the bill, employees could? begin to use sick leave after […]
Senate passes another bill critics say would override Lexington’s new tenant protections
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Senate approved a House bill Tuesday that critics say would override protections for tenants against discrimination based on their source of income in Kentucky’s two largest cities. The Senate approved a similar bill of its own last month, and the debate Tuesday on House Bill 18, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Dotson, […]
McConnell’s fundraising has slowed though he’s got plenty of money in his reelection account
Gov. Andy Beshear’s new political action committee reported last week that it raised $30,681 in its first month of existence. The PAC is called In This Together and was created two months after Democrat Beshear won reelection over Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron. It was established as a way for Beshear and his supporters to […]
Sponsor vows to back off gutting Kentucky open records law after hearing from constituents
A Kentucky lawmaker says he plans to revise a bill rewriting the state’s open records law after it ignited protests from open government advocates and the Kentucky Press Association who warned it would “eviscerate” access to public records. Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, said in an email he plans to eliminate a section redefining public records […]
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 […]