The state board that oversees optometrists has established an advisory “work group” as it considers changes in response to a controversy about optometrists it improperly licensed in recent years by waiving testing requirements. But the plan doesn’t sit well with Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, whose measure to create an outside task force to review operations of the Kentucky Board […]
Tag: Kentucky legislature
Posted inPolitics
Teen’s persistence pays off as legislature adopts rescue dogs, cats as official KY pet
Hitching a ride on the backs of Treeing Walker Coonhounds, rescue dogs and cats are set to become the official pets of Kentucky. Senate Bill 37, which designates the hound as Kentucky’s official state dog breed, passed both chambers of the General Assembly in the final hours of the 2026 legislative session. Bill sponsor Sen. […]
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GOP-controlled KY legislature gives final passage to $31B executive branch budget
The GOP-controlled Kentucky legislature gave final passage Wednesday to the state’s executive branch budget, allocating more than $31 billion in General Fund revenues and sparking heated debates between Republicans and Democrats over funding for education, Medicaid, and more. In the House, Democrats called the finalized state budget morally and fiscally short-shighted. The Republican chair of […]
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A Frankfort boy’s seven-year quest to make rescue animals Kentucky’s official pet
When Ethan Branscum was 6 years old, he saw on the news that Ohio had just declared rescue animals to be the official state pet. Even at that young age, he and his mom, Miche, regularly went to visit his local shelter, the Franklin County Humane Society, to take photos of adoptable animals and post them online. In […]
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Bill blocking Kentuckians from suing pesticide makers splits House GOP but still advances
A bill that critics say would block Kentuckians from suing pesticide companies for failing to warn of their products’ hazards narrowly passed the Republican-controlled House Tuesday over significant Republican opposition. Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would designate that the warning required under a federal law “shall be deemed a sufficient warning label” and […]
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NKY lawmaker files bill to remove 70-year prison sentence cap after child sex crime conviction
A Northern Kentucky state representative has filed a bill to eliminate the state’s 70-year cap on consecutive prison sentences, following the conviction of a Kenton County man on 20 counts related to child sexual abuse material. Robbie Ray Miller, 32, was found guilty last week of nine counts of distribution of matter portraying a sexual […]
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KY Supreme Court unanimously strikes down Republican lawmakers’ 2022 charter school law
Kentucky Supreme Court justices all agreed that the Republican-controlled legislature’s 2022 law allowing charter schools is unconstitutional. In a Thursday opinion written by Justice Michelle Keller, the seven justices ruled that the law did not meet the requirement in the Kentucky Constitution for lawmakers to “provide for an efficient system of common schools” across the state. “With due respect […]
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Tuition waiver for older Kentuckians appears safe but maybe with a new requirement
A Republican lawmaker is no longer trying to end the tuition waiver for Kentuckians who are 65 and older but is pushing instead for a new requirement that at least one Democrat thinks is unnecessary. Rep. Lisa Willner, D-Louisville, has filed a floor amendment that would leave the tuition waiver for senior citizens unchanged and […]
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Two GOP priorities for public education advance from Kentucky Senate
The Republican-controlled state Senate passed bills Monday aimed at shining more light on school districts’ spending and shifting the balance of power in Kentucky’s largest school district. The bills, considered top priorities by Senate Republicans, now head to the House, which also has a GOP supermajority, for further consideration. Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senate […]
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KY bill paving way for cigar bars, decried by public health advocates, on the move
A bill that would allow eligible businesses in Kentucky to operate cigar bars, which health organizations say could compromise public health, passed the House Local Government Committee Wednesday. House Bill 194 says a person can operate a cigar bar in Kentucky if they hold a valid alcoholic beverage license and patrons could smoke indoors or outdoors. […]