Government

Legislature approves ‘random’ venue changes for Kentuckians challenging state laws, decisions

BY: - March 20, 2023

FRANKFORT — Kentuckians challenging the constitutionality of state laws and executive branch decisions could move their lawsuits across the state at random, under a Republican-backed bill approved by the legislature last week. Lawyers representing the state also would be entitled to random changes of venue. The sponsor, Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, called Senate Bill 126? […]

Kentucky education commissioner says legislature put youth at risk with anti-LGBTQ bill

BY: - March 17, 2023

The day after Kentucky lawmakers rapidly changed and passed a bill to include measures banning gender-affirming care for minors, the state’s top education official decried the “sweeping and harmful” legislation. Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass said the latest version of Senate Bill 150 “contains provisions that will put our young people at risk, have the […]

Legislature approves $20 million for housing in disaster zones

BY: - March 17, 2023

FRANKFORT — Although it was much less than they had hoped, affordable-housing advocates in Kentucky are applauding the legislature’s decision to put $20 million into a new Rural Housing Trust Fund. The money is not a new appropriation but comes from more than $400 million the legislature had set aside last year for disaster relief […]

Bill making it harder to retire Kentucky coal plants heads to governor’s desk

BY: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — A bill backed by Kentucky’s coal industry that would make it harder for utilities to retire fossil fuel-fired power plants received final passage Thursday in the Kentucky House of Representatives, sending the legislation for Gov. Andy Beshear’s consideration.? Senate Bill 4, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would impose a series of […]

With funding release for State Fair Board project added, House approves postsecondary education study

BY: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — House members joined senators in calling for a comprehensive review of Kentucky’s public postsecondary education system, but added provisions from a separate resolution that releases $180 million to the Kentucky State Fair Board for capital construction.? Senate Joint Resolution 98 received support from the House in a 96-0 vote Thursday. The call for […]

Medical cannabis overcomes big obstacle in Kentucky as state Senate votes for legalization

BY: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — A bill to legalize medical marijuana for some Kentuckians who suffer from chronic illnesses overcame a major hurdle Thursday evening, winning? a seal of approval from the state Senate.? Legislation similar to Senate Bill 47 has died in the Senate in previous sessions. However, senators voted 26-11 in favor of the measures with […]

Kentucky legislature passes anti-trans bill?

BY: , and - March 16, 2023

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.? The Trevor Project, which aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, also has trained counselors available around the clock. Reach them at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/, or by texting START to 678678.? FRANKFORT — […]

Kentucky House tries to revive anti-trans legislation stalled in Senate

BY: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — With time running out in this session, House Republicans tried on Thursday to revive anti-trans legislation that has stalled in the Senate. In a hastily called committee meeting, provisions restricting health care for trans youth were grafted onto Senate Bill 150, described by sponsor Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, as a “parents rights” measure, […]

Beshear appoints former state Rep. Angela Hatton to Public Service Commission

BY: - March 16, 2023

Former state Rep. Angela C. Hatton of Whitesburg is the newest member of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the appointment March 10. Hatton, who will serve as the PSC’s vice chair, replaces Marianne Butler of Louisville whose appointment was not confirmed by the Senate. Hatton’s term ends July 1, 2025, according […]

Shelves of library books

Kentucky House approves book challenge bill after multiple attempts to alter it fail

BY: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky House rejected pleas of some Republicans to add a ban on? public drag shows and some parental rights provisions to a bill mandating a complaint process for parents to challenge school materials they consider “harmful to minors.” Senate Bill 5, primarily sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, came onto the House […]

Anti-trans bill paused in Senate as Republicans split

BY: - March 15, 2023

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Senate narrowly voted to postpone consideration of House Bill 470 — after ?adopting a floor amendment that loosened the controversial bill’s health-care restrictions on trans youth. The 19-17 vote came at 9:34 p.m. Wednesday after two breaks for closed-door Republican caucuses.?? Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, proposed cutting about 30 pages of […]

Lofton’s Law, criminalizing hazing, clears both chambers of Kentucky legislature

BY: - March 15, 2023

FRANKFORT —?The Kentucky House on Wednesday voted to make hazing that causes a death or serious injury a felony. Lofton’s Law – named after 18-year-old Thomas “Lofton” Hazelwood, a University of Kentucky freshman who died from alcohol poisoning at his fraternity house – was approved in the House by a vote of 97-3. The Senate […]