2023 Preview: Beshear Veto Showcases GOP Ready to Pounce on Social Issues
With the stroke of his veto pen Gov. Andy Beshear has wandered into a hot-button social issue important to conservative voters, and some in his liberal base. On Wednesday, Beshear, D-Kentucky, vetoed Senate Bill 83 the “Save Women’s Sports Act” which directs the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Board of Control to pass and enact...
Fmr GOP House Speaker: State Budget ‘Biggest Slap to Public Education’
As the Kentucky legislature passed a massive two-year state spending plan through Republican supermajorities in the House and the Senate, the former Republican House Speaker had harsh words for his former colleagues. Former House Speaker Jeff Hoover, of Jamestown, Kentucky, spoke out on Wednesday night as lawmakers passed their version of the state spending plan...
Teacher Group Files Ethics Complaint Against Rep. Kim Banta Over Charter Schools Vote
FRANKFORT – A Republican Kentucky lawmaker is facing an ethics allegation after taking a vote on legislation creating a funding mechanism for charter schools in the state. The former advocacy group turned teacher’s union, KY120United-AFT held a press conference Monday morning to announce they have filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Kim Banta, R-Ft. Mitchell....
Path in Question for Marijuana/ Sports Betting Bills
Two bills that polling shows a majority of Kentuckians favor are in question in the waning days of the Kentucky legislative session. A bill allowing medical marijuana in Kentucky and sports betting are both stuck in the upper chamber, as the bill’s sponsors are seeking the votes they need to move them forward. House Bill...
Are Republicans in Danger of Reigniting Beshear’s Teacher Base Ahead of Election?
A slim majority of Republicans in the Kentucky House of Representatives passed a funding mechanism on Tuesday that would send public tax dollars to charter schools in Kentucky and set up two pilot charters including one in Louisville’s west end. The single-day legislative melodrama that led to the passage of the bill in the House...
McConnell Agrees With Many of Biden’s Moves on Ukraine Wants Faster Actions
Kentucky’s senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Leader, made a rare appearance on Sunday morning news to talk about the war in Ukraine and what the United States can do to help them win the war in their country against Russia. McConnell was clear-spoken on his hopes for what the United States can...
Nine Days Left of KY Session; Here’s What Happened This Week
Article by Mike Wynn, Legislative Research Commission Public Information Officer FRANKFORT — The final days of the 2022 legislative session are well in sight, and lawmakers are redoubling efforts to count votes and move bills, including some high-profile measures this week on gambling and medical cannabis. The Kentucky General Assembly has nine days left in...
Rep. Nemes Medical Marijuana Bill Passes House
With a 59 – 34 vote a bill allowing the sale and use of medical marijuana in Kentucky for six qualifying conditions has passed the Kentucky House of Representatives. Thursday’s vote marks the second time Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, has passed a medical marijuana bill through the state House. House Bill 136 limits the forms...
Safe Bet? Sports Betting Bill Inches Forward in Frankfort
A bill allowing Kentuckians to bet on sports has cleared a legislative hurdle in the state Capitol. The legislation, which has failed in recent sessions, cleared the House Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee Wednesday morning with a push heading into the final weeks of the legislative session. The bill, House Bill 606, would legalize...