by Kevin Wheatley – FRANKFORT — For three Democrats and one Republican joining the House of Representatives in the session’s waning weeks, orientation will be more than moving into their Capitol Annex offices and finding their desks on the chamber’s floor. House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Wednesday that the House will likely vote on its version of the…
by ASSOCIATED PRESS – CARROLLTON — Two police officers suspended from the Carrollton force in the midst of misconduct allegations have been cleared of all wrongdoing. Media outlets reported that a Carroll County jury on Tuesday acquitted police Chief Mike Willhoite and officer Ron Dickow of all charges. Willhoite and Dickow were accused of defying a judge’s…
by Erica Peterson – A bill under consideration in the Kentucky General Assembly that would end state coal mine safety inspections isn’t being pursued for financial reasons, according to the state Energy and Environment Cabinet. Senate Bill 297 would change Kentucky law to eliminate the provision that requires state coal mine inspections, in addition to federal inspections.…
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…
by Janet Patton, jpatton1@herald-leader.com – Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, who is leading the charge against the management of the Kentucky Horse Park, sought a paid position in charge of the park’s marquee annual event, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in 2010. He was rebuffed by Alston Kerr, who was ousted Friday as chairwoman of the…
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…
by ERICA PETERSON (KPR) – A bill under consideration in Kentucky’s General Assembly would eliminate state mine inspections, a move which a safety advocate says would have adverse effects on mine safety in Kentucky. Senate Bill 297 was introduced last week by Senator Chris Girdler. It would repeal the parts of Kentucky law that require state mine…
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…
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…
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…