by Kevin Wheatley – FRANKFORT — Last year’s 30-day legislative session was a breakthrough for Rep. Susan Westrom’s bill that would ban indoor smoking in most public places, passing the House in its first floor vote by a 51-46 margin. House Bill 145 ultimately met its demise without a hearing in the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection…
by LISA AUTRY – Kentucky’s Junior U.S. Senator has attracted some competition, among both Democrats and Republicans, as he tries to hold on to his seat. While seeking the Republican nomination for president, Rand Paul is also working to win a second term in the U.S. Senate. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, five candidates have…
by JACOB RYAN – Superintendent Donna Hargens says Jefferson County Public Schools is working to ensure that Louisville families are aware of its offerings in anticipation of a new push for state charter school legislation. Republican Gov. Matt Bevin is a charter school supporter. The Republican-majority state Senate has approved a bill that would authorize charter schools every year…
by The Associated Press – FRANKFORT, KY. — A Kentucky Senate committee has approved a bill aimed at toughening laws against chronic drunk drivers. The measure advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday is the latest attempt to crack down on people arrested multiple times on charges of driving under the influence. The measure would expand the…
by Ronnie Ellis – FRANKFORT – A bill that would remove county clerks’ signatures from marriage licenses has hit a snag in the state Senate. Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, is a response to county clerks’ objection to signing marriage licenses for same- sex couples in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court…
by RYLAND BARTON – A legislative committee on Wednesday passed a bill that would require women seeking an abortion to have a face-to-face meeting with a doctor at least 24 hours in advance of the procedure. Since 2001, women seeking an abortion have been able to have the so-called “informed consent” meeting over the phone. State Sen. Albert…
by Joseph Gerth – From November 2015 — Kynect “adds no value” that the federal exchange doesn’t provide, said Matt Bevin at a press conference in Frankfort. Matt Stone, The Courier-Journal Gov. Matt Bevin will headline a large Republican Party fundraising event in Louisville later this month as the GOP barrels toward the March 8 election of four…
by Nick Storm – Attorney General Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, whose father former Gov. Steve Beshear implemented kynect and the expansion of Medicaid in Kentucky, is now watching as Republican Gov. Matt Bevin dismantles that legacy. In an interview with Pure Politics, Beshear said the move to shut down Kentucky’s health-care delivery website is bad policy and bad for…
by Bruce Schreiner – FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Bourbon tourists taking in the sights and smells of Kentucky distilleries could start sipping cocktails as part of the experience if a bill that cleared a legislative panel on Tuesday becomes state law. The measure would allow distilleries in wet territories to offer by-the-drink sales to visitors. It…
by Don Weber – FRANKFORT – A pair of bills related to alcohol sales in the Commonwealth of Kentucky passed out of the Senate Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations on Tuesday. Senate Bill 12 allows for the Sunday sale of alcohol before 1:00pm during events at Kentucky Speedway. Kentucky Speedway President Mark Simendinger said that the tracks top NASCAR event,the…