by Mandy McLaren, Louisville Courier Journal – The Kentucky Department of Education will push for several controversial pieces of legislation next year, according to a list of priorities made public Wednesday. The department’s main priorities include: Securing a permanent funding mechanism for charter schools. Obtaining the power to retain third-graders who are not proficient in reading…
by Jacqueline Pitts, The Bottom Line – Legislative leaders wrapped up the Kentucky Chamber 2019 Legislative Preview Conference on Monday with a panel where they discussed election results, the rulings of the Kentucky Supreme Court on many of their key priorities, and what they plan to tackle during the 2019 session. Senate President Robert Stivers, Senate Majority Leader…
by Beth Warren, Louisville Courier Journal – With Kentucky ranking fifth for the most overdose deaths in the nation, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell planned a visit to Louisville offering help to state and federal officials fighting the addiction crisis. McConnell wasn’t able to brief reporters Monday at the University of Louisville as planned due to the passing…
By Ryland Barton – The head of Kentucky’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and two Republican state lawmakers say the legislature needs to make changes to the state’s criminal code to address the state’s surging prison population. The number of people in Kentucky’s prison system surpassed 25,000 for the first time ever this year. Officials have…
by Tom Loftus, Louisville Courier Journal – FRANKFORT — The high-profile lawsuit alleging that Wall Street money managers and others caused Kentucky Retirement Systems to gamble as much as $1.5 billion on risky hedge fund investments will proceed. Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd on Friday rejected motions of three big hedge fund firms and most other defendants to dismiss…
by Rachel Adkins | The Daily Independent GRAYSON State Rep. Jill York, R-Grayson, has decided against filing for a recount against Kathy Hinkle, who beat York by a five-vote margin for the 96th District seat last month. York said that from the beginning she and her campaign have been looking for any data that may…
by Phillip M. Bailey, Louisville Courier Journal – Amy McGrath, Democratic candidate for Congress in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District speaks to supporters at Bath County High School Jeff Faughender, Louisville Courier Journal Before they draft Amy McGrath to run for governor, her supporters are trying to hush the political whispers that she hasn’t lived in Kentucky…
by EMMA G. FITZSIMMONS, New York Times News Service – CINCINNATI — Many cities have a notorious choke point that torments commuters and keeps urban planners awake at night. In Cincinnati, it is the Brent Spence Bridge, a 1960s structure that straddles the Ohio-Kentucky border. It is creaky and rust stained. It is known for traffic…
BY MICHON LINDSTROM, KENTUCKY – FRANKFORT- As the 2019 General Assembly session is set to begin, lawmakers are trying to avoid another cloud of sexual harassment complaints from overtaking the start of the session. Rep. Kelly Flood, D-Lexington, pre-filed legislation meant to protect state legislative employees from sexual harassment. The bill would prohibit legislators from using…
by ANNIE ANDERSEN, KENTUCKY – FRANKFORT– 2019 will be a short session, and in giving their wishlists to the Committee on State Government, government officials kept that in mind. Katie Garhart, the executive director of the Executive Ethics Branch said her office is only working on one project. Their bill would expand the definition of who…