A law that allows municipalities to phase in massive increases in state pension costs is not quite a windfall for local governments, but leaders will gladly take it. As part of efforts to shore up the state’s troubled pension system, municipalities and school districts were informed last year they would face increases of as much…
It’s a cool spring morning just about dawn on the backside of Churchill Downs, eight days before the Derby. Exercise riders on gleaming racehorses trot past the barns and onto the track for a workout. Some horses have already finished and are being hosed down…they’re so warm, steam is rising off their backs when the…
With the state capping tuition hikes at 6 percent over the next two years, Western Kentucky University is now ready to craft its operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. On Friday, the Council on Postsecondary Education authorized tuition and mandatory fee ceilings for in-state undergraduate students at Kentucky’s public colleges and universities.…
Budget recommendations for “a year that’s more difficult than normal,” as Murray State University Regent Dan Kemp described it, was presented in summary form during a special meeting of the Board’s Finance Committee on Tuesday. Kemp chairs the committee that brought forth, for discussion purposes, budget proposals for the next fiscal year. Recommendations won’t be…
by ADAM BEAM, Associated Press – FRANKFORT, KY. — In just three months, companies and special interest groups spent more than $8.4 million trying to influence Kentucky lawmakers, the third straight year lobbying spending has broken records in the Bluegrass State. But some of the biggest spenders had little to show for their efforts as lawmakers…
by MIKE STUNSON, mstunson@herald-leader.com – Personal Facebook information from more than 1.3 million Kentuckians was shared without their knowledge, according to data provided by the social media network to Attorney General Andy Beshear. While Facebook has previously acknowledged outsiders gained access to data on 87 million users, the company provided state numbers to state attorneys general.…
SOMERSET, Ky. (WYMT) – Congressman Hal Rogers is one of two Republican leaders being honored at an Eastern Kentucky award banquet. The Lincoln Club Banquet highlight GOP leaders for their strong conservative values and leadership abilities. Congressman Rogers says it is an honor to be recognized at the event. But he says there is still a…
by ADAM BEAM AND BRUCE SCHREINER, Associated Press – LOUISVILLE — Citing the serial abuse of students and an abundance of low-performing schools, Kentucky’s chief schools officer said Monday he would attempt to seize control of one of the country’s largest school districts in a decision sure to inflame tensions between teachers and the state’s Republican…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky’s attorney general is teaming up with police to stop human traffickers ahead of Kentucky Derby 144. Attorney General Andy Beshear said it’s true that human traffickers descend on large sporting events, but he added that human trafficking also happens in our communities every day of the year. He said some…
Recently Pure Politics’ Common Ground segment has focused on drawing attention to bills that passed the General Assembly with vast bipartisan support. This week, we continue to shine a light at the legislation which found broad support across the partisan divide. House Bill 84 , otherwise known as “Courtney’s Law” passed with resounding support this year.…