Speaking on the steps of the Kentucky capitol Tuesday, Agriculture Commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Quarles said he’ll pass medical marijuana if elected governor. “It’s time for Kentucky to pass a responsible medical marijuana piece of legislation that helps benefit patients across Kentucky,” Quarles said. Quarles’ pitch is part of his plan to present […]
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
NKY legislators file slew of bills ahead of February filing deadline
Despite legislative leadership saying it would be a slow session, Kentucky’s legislators filed a significant number of bills ahead of the Feb. 21 Senate deadline and the Feb. 22 House deadline. The 2023 legislative session is a 30-day, non-budget session. The Republican supermajority passed its signature piece of legislation — the income tax — early […]
Posted inFrankfort
Bill would help treat PTSD in firefighters
A bill that provides mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress in firefighters passed the House Local Government Committee Wednesday. Sponsored by Rep. Kim Banta (R-Ft. Mitchell), the bill is an add-on to last year’s House Bill 373 — a bill that introduced sweeping changes to mental health services in Kentucky, including adding the 988 hotline. […]
Posted inFrankfort
Kentucky transportation secretary gives Brent Spence update to House committee
Transportation Secretary Jim Gray and Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet’s Brent Spence Bridge Project Manager Stacee Hans presented information on the bridge to the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation on Thursday. It’s the first time they have given the legislature an update since they approved $250 million in matching funds during the 2022 legislative session to […]
Posted inNews
Sports betting gains new life on House bill filing deadline dayÂ
Sports betting is alive in Kentucky’s statehouse after a legislator filed a bill on the final day for House bills to be introduced during the 2023 legislative session. Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland) filed the bill, which he said is different from last year’s legislation. The new bill removes online poker and online fantasy sports from […]
Posted inFrankfort
Rep. Moser introduces measure to require AEDs in schools
Northern Kentuckian Cameron Batson collapsed while playing a pickup game of soccer in 2010. The 18-year-old died of an undiagnosed heart condition that caused sudden cardiac arrest. An AED — automated external defibrillator used to treat life-threatening cardiac issues — was not readily available. St. Henry Soccer player Matthew Mangine Jr. collapsed at soccer practice 10 […]
Posted inFrankfort
NKY legislator files legislation to abolish the Office of the Treasurer
Last week, northern Kentucky Rep. Steve Doan (R-Erlanger) filed legislation to abolish the Office of the Treasurer. The treasurer serves as the state’s elected fiscal officer and provides a watchdog role of state spending, including the governor’s office. House Bill 341 would abolish the office and put the duties of the office under the auditor’s […]
Posted inNews
Bill to establish freestanding birthing centers passes Senate committee
A bill establishing freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky passed the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee on Tuesday. Introduced by northern Kentucky freshman Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer (R-Alexandria), Senate Bill 67 would open freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky and allow the facilities to operate around the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) requirements. “We haven’t had any […]
Posted inFrankfort
The Frankfort LINK: Gun legislation moves through the Kentucky legislature
A bill that would make Kentucky a Second Amendment sanctuary passed the House Veterans, Military, and Public Protection Committee. It isn’t the only pro-Second Amendment bill filed so far during the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly legislative session. Filed by Rep. Josh Bray (R-Mount Vernon), House Bill 153 is a duplicate bill filed last year that […]
Posted inFrankfort
Beshear signs bill to lower income tax
Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 1 into law, which will lower the state’s income tax from 4.5 to 4% on Jan. 1, 2024. House Bill 1 codifies the cut in House Bill 8 — a bill passed during the 2022 legislative session that seeks to eliminate the income tax over ten years by half […]