The state executive branch would have to significantly cut spending for a number of expenses, including in-state and out-of-state travel, under a “bare bones” budget bill for the state executive branch filed this week by a key Republican committee chair. Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, the chair of the Kentucky House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, told […]
Tag: Kentucky legislature
Posted inPolitics
Another year, another attempt to push KY’s Juul settlement dollars to prevention, cessation
Millions of dollars flowing into Kentucky from an e-cigarette company settlement go straight to the state’s general fund, mixing with public taxes and other revenue. Republicans in both the House and Senate are trying again this year to redirect that money — and settlement dollars from any future, related litigation — into smoking and vaping prevention […]
Posted inNews
Here’s some of what Kentucky advocates want legislature to do for children in 2026
An organization that advocates for Kentucky’s children wants the legislature to fund a kinship care law that’s been stuck in limbo, give guardians ad litem raises, eliminate the sales tax on diapers and much more in 2026. Kentucky Youth Advocates released its Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children in early December. This document lays out the organization’s priorities for the 2026 legislative session, which begins Jan. […]
Posted inNews
Kentucky Republican wants to remove BMI from eating disorder treatment standards. Here’s why.
This story discusses eating disorders. If you or someone you know is at risk for an eating disorder, the National Eating Disorders Association has resources and a free screening tool at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988. Kentuckians being treated for eating disorders who gain much needed weight in treatment sometimes reach a body mass […]
Posted inPolitics
As KY Republicans mull income tax cut, Beshear warns against crashing fiscal guardrails
With a little over a month before the GOP-controlled Kentucky legislature begins deciding whether to again reduce the state’s income tax rate, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is warning lawmakers against disregarding fiscal “guardrails” that they previously established. A big decision facing lawmakers when they convene on Jan. 6 for a 60-day session is whether to […]
Posted inNews
KY task force recommends easing regulation, more funding to address housing shortage
State lawmakers are recommending the General Assembly continue to ease regulations for housing developers and strongly consider funding to incentivize housing and infrastructure construction as Kentucky grapples with a significant housing shortage. A couple of lawmakers on the Kentucky Housing Task Force during a Monday meeting emphasized the urgency of the shortage as the panel […]
Posted inNews
KY will cut income tax again, but local tax reform would be more daunting, legislative leaders say
Republicans will quickly move to keep lowering Kentucky’s income tax when the legislature convenes in January, while changes in the local tax system would be far more challenging to achieve, legislative leaders said Monday. Republicans House Speaker David Osborne of Prospect and Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester — the top-ranking lawmakers — spoke at […]
Posted inNews
Tobacco control comes up short in state budget, while anti-vaping law could increase smoking
Kentucky lawmakers have passed an anti-vaping bill, which advocates say could increase cigarette use in the state, despite calls for increased funding for tobacco prevention programs.
Posted inFrankfort
Explainer: Kentucky Legislature
One look at the Kentucky state seal gives you a glimpse of the state’s history. For starters Kentucky is officially a commonwealth, as written on the seal. But it is also a state. Ask a political historian why a U.S. state would call itself a commonwealth – a traditional British word – and the usual […]
Posted inFrankfort
Committee receives overview of AI positives, negatives
Advocates for the commonwealth’s use of artificial intelligence offered legislators an overview of new technology – some of it already in use – during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology. Ben Kaner and Alicia Schollaert of Gartner, an international consulting firm, testified to the legislators Monday about […]