The Kentucky Senate passed a sports betting bill that will now head to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk where he’s indicated he would sign it. Speaking on the Senate floor the night before sine die — the last day of the 2023 legislative session — Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said the bill didn’t get […]
Author Archives: Mark Payne
Mark Payne is the government and politics reporter for LINK nky. Email him at mpayne@linknky.com.
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Posted inFrankfort
Kentucky legislature passes medical cannabis bill
The Kentucky legislature passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis for users with certain health conditions on Thursday after the House moved the bill through committee and then a floor vote. Senate Bill 27 — a bare-bones medical marijuana bill that won’t allow users to smoke the plant, but would allow Kentuckians with specific health […]
Posted inFrankfort
PHOTOS: Protestors in favor and against gender-affirming ban bill hold capitol rallies
The Senate and House overrode the veto of controversial ‘anti trans’ Senate Bill 150 on Wednesday. Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed SB 150 — the bill to ban gender-affirming care — last Friday. The bill bans puberty blockers, gender-affirming surgery or hormones. It would also prohibit schools from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in […]
Posted inFrankfort
Kentucky Senate issues first impeachment since the 1800s
The Kentucky state Senate impeached an elected official for the first time since 1885. The Senate convicted former Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Goldy Jr. — representing Rowan, Menifee, Bath, and Montgomery counties — of three articles of impeachment over allegations of requesting nude photos in exchange for legal favors. The impeachment conviction is the first […]
Posted inFrankfort
Protestors arrested as legislature overrides veto to ban gender-affirming care
The Senate and House quickly took up the override of the veto of Senate Bill 150 on its first day back after the 10-day veto period. Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed SB 150 — the bill to ban gender-affirming care — last Friday. The bill bans puberty blockers, gender-affirming surgery or hormones. It would also prohibit […]
Posted inFrankfort
‘Clash of worldviews’: How one NKY family prepares for potential passage of ‘anti-trans’ legislation
When Nancy Bardgett’s daughter came out as transgender, she was thankful that Jordan was able to receive the care she needed. In addition to having a supportive family, Jordan, a student at Northern Kentucky University at the time, received mental-health support. “She had supportive friends and she sought out resources and knew where to look […]
Posted inFrankfort
Kentucky becomes Second Amendment sanctuary
A bill that makes Kentucky a Second Amendment Sanctuary became law after Secretary of State Michael Adams said he received the bill Tuesday morning without the governor’s signature. In Kentucky, if the governor fails to sign or veto a bill, it automatically becomes a law. Filed by Rep. Josh Bray (R-Mount Vernon), House Bill 153 […]
Posted inFrankfort
The Frankfort LINK: NKU political professor provides analysis on 2023 legislative session
On Wednesday, March 29, the legislature convenes for the last two days of the 2023 legislatures session. They adjourned on March 16 for the 10 day veto period, where the governor vetoed multiple bills, including the controversial Senate Bill 150, which will ban gender-affirming care for children. The legislature will spend its last two days […]
Posted inFrankfort
Here’s what the governor has signed into law so far
The legislature passed 120 bills this session, and Gov. Andy Beshear has already signed 68 into law so far, with more expected before the veto period ends on March 28. After the 10-day veto period, which started on March 18, the legislature will reconvene on March 29 and 30 to pass any additional legislation or […]
Posted inFrankfort
Beshear vetoes bill that bans gender-affirming care
Gov. Andy Besher vetoed a piece of legislation Friday morning that would place sweeping bans on gender-affirming care for transgender children in the Commonwealth. The bill would ban puberty blockers, gender-affirming surgery, or hormones. It would also prohibit schools from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms and force transgender students to use the […]