After an impassioned but futile push by House Democrats to block a measure that eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Kentucky public universities, the House gave its approval to the bill Wednesday. House Bill 4 passed in a floor vote of 81-18, largely on party lines. The lone Democrat to vote with Republicans on […]
Category: Frankfort
Posted inFrankfort
House committee advances DEI bill
A DEI bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public postsecondary institutions cleared its first hurdle in the 2025 legislative session. The House Postsecondary Education Committee advanced House Bill 4 on Tuesday. Rep. Jennifer Decker, a Republican from Waddy, said the DEI bill would end an unconstitutional practice in Kentucky and make […]
Posted inFrankfort
School employee misconduct bill regulates communication with student
Legislators on the Senate Families and Children Committee unanimously approved an employee misconduct bill Tuesday that would require Kentucky’s public school districts to implement policies for using only traceable forms of communication between staff, coaches, and volunteers and their students. Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, a Republican from Smithfield, testified during a meeting that Senate Bill 181 […]
Posted inFrankfort
Senate committee approves update to Kentucky name, image likeness bill
The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation Thursday that would update Kentucky’s name, image and likeness law in response to issues that have cropped up since it was first adopted for college athletes. Name, image, likeness laws – known as NIL – allow student-athletes to generate personal income from their image and celebrity. Senate Bill […]
Posted inFrankfort
Senate green lights religious liberty bill as detractors push for balance
The Kentucky Senate adopted a bill Wednesday that supporters say will strengthen religious liberty in the commonwealth even as some raise concerns about discrimination. Senate Bill 60, sponsored by Sen. Steve Rawlings, a Republican from Burlington, advanced off the Senate floor with a 29-7 vote and now heads to the House. The legislation seeks to […]
Posted inFrankfort
Kentucky House passes bill on manufactured homes
Kentucky has a housing shortage. House Bill 160 could help, according to supporters. Sponsored by Rep. Susan Witten, a Republican from Louisville, HB 160 would ensure qualified manufactured homes that meet strict standards for size, age and permanent foundation are treated the same as site-built homes in single family residential zones. The bill is the […]
Posted inPolitics
What could Mitch McConnell’s retirement mean for Kentucky?
After decades in office, Senator Mitch McConnell announced he will not be running for re-election next year. The announcement has Kentuckians asking who will fill the seat McConnell has held since 1984. “No matter who wins the seat, they’re probably not gonna have the same impact or voice, at least not initially in the Senate,” […]
Posted inPolitics
Bill cracking down on nicotine sales to underage Kentuckians clears committee
A legislative committee unanimously advanced a bill Tuesday that the sponsor has promised will add “teeth” to Kentucky laws aimed at keeping nicotine products out of the hands of youth. Senate Bill 100, from Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, can now go to the Senate floor for a vote. Delanie Crump, a first year student at Boyd County […]
Posted inNews
Sen. Funke Frommeyer files resolution for state health task force
Kentucky Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, a Republican whose district includes parts of Kenton, Campbell and Bracken counties, has filed a resolution in Frankfort to establish a task force that will incorporate aspects of President Donald Trump’s Make American Healthy Again program at the state level. “Our health is our greatest asset, and it’s time we […]
Posted inPolitics
Judge delays $228M Kentucky pension settlement
A Friday afternoon court order will delay and possibly jeopardize final approval of the recently announced settlement of a long-running lawsuit over controversial investments by Kentucky Retirement Systems in hedge funds more than a decade ago. That high profile case alleged that some former officials of the retirement systems (since restructured as the Kentucky Public […]
