Senate Committee Advances Medical Marijuana Legislation
Legislation that would set up a regulatory authority for medical marijuana and the qualifying health conditions to receive the drug has cleared a state Senate committee. The issue has been a hot-button topic in this year’s race for governor. Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, has cleared the Senate Standing Committee of...
Final Days of KY Legislative Session on the Horizon
From LRC Public Information Officer Mike Wynn: The final days of the 2023 legislative session are now visible on the horizon, and lawmakers have spent the past week pushing a raft of bills closer to the finish line, including one measure on gaming machines that appeared to stall in the House last week. Bills on firearms,...
Al Cross: No-compromise culture war has ruined our politics
When the Kentucky House voted to ban gender-affirming medical treatment for Kentucky minors, even if their parents want them to have such care, it illustrated what’s wrong with our politics, and with the Kentucky General Assembly. Medical science and wisdom are ignored, and the legislative process is abused, all for political expediency. The loudest and...
Public Safety & Education Bills on the Move
From LRC Public Information Officer Mike Wynn: FRANKFORT — The Kentucky General Assembly hit a new rhythm last week as lawmakers welcomed military kids to the Capitol and passed more than 50 bills out of committee with a heavy emphasis on both education and public safety. The fast-paced week drew large crowds to the Capitol...
Gov. Beshear Signs Tax Cut Despite Concerns
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, is signing Republican’s top priority bill that tax would reduce the income tax from 4.5 percent to 4 percent beginning next year. Despite his concerns of long-term repercussions, and a veto of similar legislation last year, Beshear said he was signing the bill into law to give some relief to Kentuckians...
Al Cross: Legislative session is a battleground in the governor’s race
The General Assembly is back in the state capital, and we can safely assume the governor’s not happy about it. Andy Beshear is a Democrat running for a second term, and the legislature is run by Republicans who want a fellow partisan to replace him. It’s the first time a Kentucky legislature controlled by one...
GOP Tax Cut Proposal Sent to Gov. Beshear
Days after the state income tax was lowered to 4.5 percent Republicans in the Kentucky legislature have sent another legislative drop to the tax to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. “I am excited to see another income tax reduction measure reach the Governor’s desk,” Sen. Chris McDaniel said. “The onus is now on Governor Andy Beshear...
‘If I have to fight it out in the public, I’ll do so,’ Jefferson Co. Clerk Warns Over 19th Dist Special Election Plans
Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw squared off with the Kentucky Board of Election this week, as the group chose to reject her plan for a special election scheduled for Feb. 21 to replace Morgan McGarvey in the state Senate. The Kentucky Board of Elections rejected Holsclaw’s plan over her objections, citing a lack of voting...
On the Move: McCarthy Strategic Solutions Adds Jeff Harper to their Team
Frankfort lobbying group McCarthy Strategic Solutions has added the former longtime director of public affairs at Kentucky Farm Bureau to their roster. McCarthy announced last week that Jeff Harper joined their staff as a principal. Harper worked as the director of the Public Affairs Division for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation for more than a...