Kentucky Budget Bills Collide
The House and Senate have passed their versions of the two-year state spending plans, but the documents, as always, will need to be reconciled. The exercise in reconciliation generally takes place in public meetings that end with decisions being made behind closed doors, where this year legislative leaders in the House and Senate will weigh...
AG Commissioner Ryan Quarles Visits UAE for Trade Mission
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is back from the Middle East as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission. Quarles, who is considered to be a Republican candidate for governor in 2023, recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia where his office says he focused on food and equine...
Lawmakers Seek to Swing Executive Branch Ethics Commission Towards GOP
Republican lawmakers are seeking to limit the governor’s power to appoint members to the commission which monitors those lobbying the governor and constitutional officers and executive branch personnel. The bill comes as the agency tasked with upholding ethics is seeking to hire a new director. House Bill 334, would allow the legislature to reorganize the...
Sen. Westerfield Shifts to Support Nemes Marijuana Bill
Legislation that narrowly allows the use of medical marijuana for a limited number of qualifying conditions now has the support of one of its biggest opponents, the Kentucky Senate Judiciary Chairman. State Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton, announced his support for House Bill 136 before the bill is expected to go before a House committee. Westerfield...
Sen. McGarvey & Neal Push Hate Crime Law
Kentucky state Senate leaders are introducing a bill to strengthen hate crime laws in Kentucky. At a press conference on Tuesday, Senators Morgan McGarvey and Gerald Neal announced that they are filing legislation to strengthen hate crime laws and enhance protections for victims in Kentucky. The bill would extend prison time if it is proven...
House GOP Introduce Measure to Eliminate Income Tax
Republicans in the Kentucky House of Representatives have introduced legislation that would lead to the elimination of income tax in Kentucky. House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, filed House Bill 8 on Friday which would lower Kentucky’s 5 percent income tax incrementally over a period of years until it is eliminated and...
‘Jaw Dropping,’ McConnell Says of Quintez Brown Being Released on Bail
Many across Kentucky are expressing frustrations and outrage as the person who attempted to assassinate Democratic Louisville mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg was let out of jail on bond just days after the incident. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is the latest person to publicly decry the release of Quintez Brown, who has been charged...
KY Democratic Party Brings Lawsuit Against State House & Congressional Maps
As state Republican lawmakers override vetoes to the state House and U.S. Congressional maps the Kentucky Democratic Party and several citizens have filed a lawsuit to halt the redistricting plans. The suit is brought from citizens in Franklin County who call into question district lines in the Congressional plan that stretch the 1st District from...
Gov. Beshear Vetoes GOP Redistricting Maps Calling them ‘Political Gerrymandering’
Gov. Andy Beshear tore up state House and Congressional redistricting maps on Wednesday night calling the maps political gerrymandering. Beshear issued his vetoes of Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 3 on Wednesday evening, calling into question how the districts were redrawn to benefit Republicans. The General Assembly has veto proof majorities in the House...