Government
Bill to disband current KET board, require Senate confirmation for some appointments advances
FRANKFORT — Called an effort to “protect” the integrity of Kentucky’s public television broadcaster, a bill passed unanimously out of a Senate committee Wednesday that would disband the current board for Kentucky Educational Television and require future appointments by the governor to the board be confirmed by the Republican-controlled state Senate. Bill sponsor Sen. Stephen […]
Housing advocates encouraged that Senate leader Stivers has filed possible funding vehicle
FRANKFORT — As advocates rallied at the Capitol to support affordable housing, especially for Kentuckians displaced by flooding, Senate President Robert Stivers said discussions are underway that could lead to housing legislation during this session.? Stivers, R-Manchester, filed what?he called a “shell bill” that can be used as a vehicle for funding construction where housing […]
More than 160,000 Kentuckians still cannot vote because of felony convictions
FRANKFORT — A voting rights group wants Kentuckians to decide on a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore the vote to convicted felons who have completed their sentences — a change that a recent poll found has strong public support. The League of Women Voters of Kentucky on Tuesday voiced support for Senate Bill 164, […]
Crafts have interests in 20-plus businesses, no worth estimate required in candidate disclosures
FRANKFORT — Republican candidate for governor Kelly Craft recently disclosed that she and her husband Joe Craft have financial interests in more than 20 businesses, primarily the coal giant Alliance Resource Partners LP, which is headed by Joe Craft. Candidates for statewide office were required to file personal financial statements by Feb. 15 covering calendar […]
Beshear signs Republican legislature’s income tax cut into law
FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear has signed the Republican legislature’s top priority, another cut in the state income tax, although the Democratic governor said lowering the sales tax would have helped more Kentuckians. Facing reelection this year, ?Beshear said in a video Friday that he decided to sign the legislation, which most Democratic lawmakers had […]
Kentucky small farm wineries seek to self-distribute more product
FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s small farm wineries are asking lawmakers to let them sell up to 30,000 gallons of wine annually to licensed retailers, but the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky says that’s too much. Charles George, executive director of the wholesalers group, told a legislative committee that the wholesalers would support direct sales to […]
Lawmakers want to bring Louisville juveniles home
FRANKFORT — While there’s bipartisan support for returning Louisville kids in the juvenile justice system to Jefferson County, at least two Louisville Democratic lawmakers said they would invest in preventive services rather than detention. The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday advanced House Bill 3, which provides $8.9 million to renovate and reopen a 40-bed Jefferson […]
Beshear signs bill providing $16.3 million to complete Bowling Green Veterans Center
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday signed a bill providing $16.3 million to complete construction of the Bowling Green Veterans Center. House Bill 2 provided an appropriation from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund to complete construction of the $53 million facility expected to be finished next year. The Veterans Centerwill be the state’s fifth long-term […]
A son’s death. A mother’s quest. Hazing could become a felony in Kentucky.
LEXINGTON — The death of 18-year-old Thomas “Lofton” Hazelwood sparked a conversation across Kentucky — one that, for many, was long overdue. On Oct. 18, 2021, the first-year student was found unconscious at the University of Kentucky’s Farmhouse Fraternity house. He later passed away from alcohol poisoning. “I had no clue what was going on. […]
Kentucky juvenile justice reforms have multi-million dollar price tags, state budget director says
FRANKFORT — State Budget Director and Executive Cabinet Secretary John Hicks told lawmakers Tuesday that the price tags to support executive branch reforms in the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice are $20 million in the next fiscal year’s operating budget and $26 million in the current capital budget.? Amid discussions about Kentucky’s juvenile justice system, […]
Students could use KEES to pay for certificate programs under bill clearing House Education Committee
FRANKFORT — Four bills that clarify and expand existing programs in Kentucky schools moved forward in the legislative process.? The bills, which are all sponsored by Republicans, received favorable recommendations from the House Education Committee Tuesday. Topics they address are dual credit courses, higher education scholarships, qualifications for classified school employees and insured student loans.? […]
Bill blocking local assistance with federal firearms regulations sails out of Kentucky House committee
FRANKFORT — A bill that would block local assistance with federal firearms bans — one of several filed by Republicans in the GOP-dominated Kentucky legislature that aim to curb gun control restrictions — sailed out of a state House of Representatives committee Tuesday.? House Bill 153 would prevent local law enforcement, employees of public agencies […]