by Andrew Adkins | The Daily Independent ASHLAND – A House bill that would lower the seating requirements for downtown Ashland restaurants to serve alcohol from 100 to 50 seats passed both legislative chambers on Tuesday evening and now awaits Gov. Matt Bevin’s signature. A provision of HB 183, sponsored by Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger, would grant…
by Deborah Yetter , @d_yetter – (Photo: The Courier-Journal) FRANKFORT, Ky.— A bill to limit appeals of zoning decisions passed the Senate Tuesday — twice — and must go back to the House for approval of a change made in the Senate to exempt landfills. The Senate had to hold a second vote on the House Bill 72, after…
by Don Weber – FRANKFORT– A bill which would make it easier for individuals released from the criminal justice system to reenter the work force after they have completed their sentences was unanimously passed by the House Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday morning. Senate Bill 120, sponsored by Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, would lift some employment barriers…
by Deborah Yetter , @d_yetter – FRANKFORT, Ky. – A bill designed to break the revolving cycle of hospitals, jails and homelessness won final passage in the House Tuesday on a unanimous vote of 95-0. Senate Bill 91 marks the fifth year supporters have been trying to set such a measure passed. It would allow a judge to order outpatient…
by Deborah Yetter , @d_yetter – Lori Brent knew something was seriously wrong with her infant son from his piercing wail. “His cry was totally different,” she said. “It was a cry I’d never heard before.” But Brent was stunned when emergency room doctors told her that the 4-month-old had a broken arm, a broken leg and a fracture from a…
by Don Weber – FRANKFORT – A House bill that would require police to get a warrant before engaging in drone surveillance in most situations cleared the Senate Committee on Judiciary on Tuesday. House Bill 291, sponsored by Rep. Diane St. Onge, R-Lakeside Park, which passed by a 6-2 vote in the committee, would require a judicial warrant…
by Tom Loftus , @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. — A surprise proposal that erupted last week to transfer the power to file civil lawsuits or handle appeals on behalf of Kentuckians from the attorney general to the governor is being revised. Sen. Whitney Westerfield, the Hopkinsville Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday morning that he expects his…
By Chris Otts – LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – On Sept. 19, 2013, Louisville Metro government cut a $1.1 million check to Newbridge Development, the family company entrusted with bringing a marquee development to a prominent corner of impoverished west Louisville. About six months later, Mayor Greg Fischer joined Newbridge’s owners,…
Bill would change the way coal mines are inspected in Kentucky By Angela Reighard | HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – House Bill 384 would change the way coal mines are inspected in Kentucky. The bill calls for fewer mine safety inspections than years past. Some say this will make the mines safer, while others disagree. At one point, Kentucky required…
by BECCA SCHIMMEL – Attorney General Andy Beshear is speaking out against Kentucky’s new right-to-work law. Right-to-work eliminates a union’s ability to collect fair share fees, but still holds those unions responsible for defending any employee and collectively bargaining for all employees. Fair share fees are less than union dues, but cover the cost of union representation.…