Op-ed: Kentucky Democrats Need a “New Deal”
Op-Ed from T.J. Hensley This Midterm election cycle will likely be recorded with an asterisk in the history books. A poor midterm performance for the party which occupies the White House is the general rule of thumb in American politics, with the President’s party often suffering an average loss of almost thirty seats in the...
KY State Senator Named Commissioner for Tennessee Department of Health
UPDATED: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee made an unexpected announcement for many Kentucky political watchers this week as he named Kentucky state Senator Dr. Ralph Alvarado as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), effective January 16. “Dr. Alvarado’s significant clinical and hospital management experience make him well-positioned to lead the Department of Health, and...
Rep. Nemes Joins House Leadership Team as Caucus Whip
News Release: Members of the 2023 House Majority Caucus met at the Capitol on Thursday to elect a team that will lead the chamber’s efforts for the next two years. House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, was nominated without opposition for a historic third term, a first for republicans in the state’s 230 year history. Osborne...
Gov. Beshear Issues Executive Orders Allowing Some Use of Medical Marijuana in Kentucky
FRANKFORT- Gov. Andy Beshear is issuing two executive orders to allow some Kentuckians with medical needs the ability to possess and use medical marijuana in Kentucky. Beshear is pointing to the Kentucky General Assembly to take action and pass full legalization for medical cannabis, but in the meantime, he is allowing the use of the...
Redistricting Maps Upheld in Franklin Circuit Court
A constitutional challenge to new legislative maps enacted by Republicans in the state legislature has been upheld by the Franklin Circuit Court. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate ruled in favor of Republicans on Thursday that maps passed by GOP supermajorities are constitutional. Wingate wrote that the new legislative maps, done in conjunction with census...
Republicans Fail to Take Control of Ability to Call General Assembly Into Special Session
Republicans were unable to convince Kentuckians to grant conservative super majorities powers currently held by the governor to convene the General Assembly in a special session. A constitutional amendment that would have allowed the House Speaker and Senate President instead of the Governor to call a special session for up to 12 days for any...
Kentucky Voters Reject Constitutional Amendment on Abortion
Voters in urban and suburban areas of Kentucky turned out in record numbers defeating a proposed state constitutional change stating there is no right to an abortion, or to fund an abortion. The defeat of the amendment signals a willingness from Kentuckians to allow some access to abortion in the state as Republican enacted “trigger...
Several GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Back Amendment Shifting Power Away from Governor to Call Special Session
Some of the Republican primary candidates seeking the office of the governor are saying they back a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would take powers away from the governor to call a special session. Auditor Mike Harmon and Attorney General Daniel Cameron say they will vote in favor of Constitutional Amendment 1 on this...
Right-Leaning Think Tank Gives Gov. Beshear “D” Grade for Fiscal Policy
A conservative-leaning think-tank is giving Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, a barely passing grade when it comes to fiscal policy in Kentucky. The Cato Institute released its fiscal ranking of governors across the nation on Wednesday, placing Beshear among the bottom quarter of governors for spending, and his opposition to major tax reform legislation. “In 2022,...