From banning cell phones to banning DEI, the Kentucky General Assembly voted to make changes in public education before breaking last week for a 10-day veto period. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear can now weigh in on bills from the Republican-controlled legislature. However, when lawmakers return to Frankfort on March 27, they can override any vetoes […]
Category: Frankfort
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Short-term rental legislative maneuvering frustrates local leaders
Frustration over legislative maneuvering in Frankfort on the regulation of short-term rentals, often referred to as Airbnbs after one of the websites where such properties are advertised, came out at a meeting of the Kenton County Mayors Group this week. “It just exemplifies everything that’s broken,” Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman told LINK nky after the […]
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The most likely Medicaid cuts would hit rural areas the hardest
Working-age adults who live in small towns and rural areas are more likely to be covered by Medicaid than their counterparts in cities, creating a dilemma for Republicans looking to make deep cuts to the health care program. About 72 million people — nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States — are enrolled in Medicaid, […]
Posted inFrankfort
Bill to lower age for driver’s permit to 15 heads to governor’s desk
The Kentucky House voted Thursday to pass a bill that would allow teens who are 15 or older to apply for a driver’s permit. The bill now goes to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk. “With the final passage of HB 15, we are one step closer to lowering the permit age to 15 in Kentucky,” said […]
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Final rush of Kentucky lawmaking is on before 10-day break for vetoes
As the 2025 regular session hurtles toward a break for the 10-day veto period, lawmakers are ironing out House-Senate differences and preparing to give bills final approval Friday to ensure Republicans have time to override Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s vetoes. Lawmakers from both chambers planned to meet Thursday night to resolve their differences over House Bill […]
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Kentucky legislature approves late-breaking ‘clarification’ of state abortion law
In response to what one Republican called “a desperate need for clarity” in Kentucky abortion law, the General Assembly has approved language detailing the ban’s “life of the mother” exception and specifying some situations when doctors may end complex pregnancies. Once a bill only to pave the way for freestanding birth centers in Kentucky, House Bill […]
Posted inFrankfort
Senate green lights DEI bill following heavy debate
After impassioned debate Wednesday afternoon, the Kentucky Senate adopted a DEI bill that seeks to ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public postsecondary intuitions in Kentucky. House Bill 4, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Decker, a Republican from Waddy, advanced off the Senate floor with a 36-6 vote. It was presented on the chamber floor […]
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Covington advocates for local control over short-term rentals
Covington Mayor Ron Washington and the city have spoken out against state-level control of short-term rentals. Specifically, the city is criticizing Kentucky Senate Bill 110, which would prohibit local governments from mandating conditional use permits or density-based restrictions on short-term rental properties, which are private properties that owners rent out to people for short stays. […]
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Trump threatens Massie with primary challenge for opposing spending bill
President Donald Trump is threatening to “lead the charge” against U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie’s reelection because the Kentucky Republican is opposing a stopgap spending measure to keep the federal government open this week. Blasting Massie on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump on Monday night said, “Congressman Thomas Massie, of beautiful Kentucky, is an automatic ‘NO’ […]
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Relief for missed school days in doubt after picking up surprise addition in KY Senate
A bill that began as relief for Kentucky schools from weather-related closings was transformed by the Senate Thursday into relief for a controversial virtual school. After the Senate overhauled House Bill 241, its sponsor, Rep. Timmy Truett, an elementary school principal, said he would recommend that the House now kill it. The Kentucky Board of Education […]