6 takeaways from Ky House special elections

by Joseph Gerth, @Joe_Gerth – Here are some takeaways after Democrats won three of four special elections on Tuesday, preventing Republicans from taking control of the House. House pace on Gov. Matt Bevin’s budget likely to continue:  On Monday, Bevin took to Facebook to suggest in a video that the House was wasting time on passing his budget, questioning why…

Early voting bill passes House Committee

by Don Weber, @DonWeber_cn2 – FRANKFORT – A bill which would allow early voting for any reason cleared a House committee on Monday. House Bill 290, sponsored by Rep. Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville, would allow in-person voting for any reason in the clerk’s office or other approved location at least 12 days before an election, and include the two Saturdays before…

McConnell and the rise of Donald Trump

by Nick Storm – Kentucky caucus winner Donald J. Trump might be Mitch McConnell’s worst nightmare, but he could also be a manifestation of Congressional Republicans opposition of President Barack Obama the past eight years. There seems to be a pervasive frustration with the president, a deep seated mistrust of Washington, including Congress, in the electorate and…

Ky. Conservation Group Lobbies For Fund Preservation

by STU JOHNSON WEKU NEWS –  Many state supported organizations are facing significant funding cuts as outlined in Governor Matt Bevin’s budget plan.  One such group made its case for funding preservation to lawmakers last week. The governor’s budget sweeps clean $10 million out of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.  Nature Conservancy of Kentucky Director…

Ky politicians mourn Nancy Reagan’s death

by Madeleine Winer, The Courier-Journal – The former first lady died of congestive heart failure. Kentucky politicians joined those all over the country mourning the loss of Nancy Reagan,  not just former President Ronald Reagan’s wife but also a fashion icon, actress  and the woman behind the “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign of the 1980s. Reagan, who died Sunday…

Ky. Senate Bill Aims to Stay Ahead of Biological Pharmaceuticals

by STU JOHNSON (KPR) –  The Kentucky Senate Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation in preparation for an expected increase in the use of biologically similar medications.  The bill’s sponsor says these medicines can substantially save on costs when treating certain diseases. More and more medications for specific ailments are biological products made from living organisms.  Bio-similar drugs, which…

Bevin Administration Sues Lexington Abortion Clinic

by Erica Peterson – Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration has filed a lawsuit against a second Kentucky abortion provider, alleging the facility provided abortions without a license. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Eubanks & Marshall of Lexington, PSC, which does business as EMW Women’s Clinic. It alleges the clinic wasn’t properly licensed, and didn’t have proper transfer agreements in…