Government
Veto overrides and sine die: What to expect the final two days of Kentucky’s legislative session
The Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes Wednesday for the last two days of this year’s session with some closely-watched bills still to consider and a chance to override more than a dozen vetoes of Republican-backed legislation by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Since March 17, Beshear has had a ten-day period to consider whether to veto legislation […]
Beshear orders flags to half-staff in remembrance of Nashville school-shooting victims
Gov. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday “in honor and remembrance of the victims of the acts of violence perpetrated on March 27 in Nashville, Tennessee,” according to a release from the governor’s office. Three children and three adult staff members were killed in […]
Process for challenging ‘obscene’ books, school programs becomes law without Beshear’s signature
A bill that opponents warn could lead to book banning became law without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature after the governor chose not to sign or veto the measure. Secretary of State Michael Adams said Senate Bill 5 was delivered to his office without the governor’s signature Monday afternoon. The measure, which had an emergency clause […]
Beshear signs Lofton’s Law, criminalizing hazing
Hazing that causes death or serious injury can be prosecuted as a felony in Kentucky under a bill that Gov. Andy Beshear signed Monday. Senate Bill 9, also known as Lofton’s Law, defines hazing in Kentucky statute and establishes penalties for the behavior. Hazing that leads to injury or death is a Class D felony, […]
Beshear vetoes bill to stop automatic payroll deductions for certain public employee unions
Calling it “an attack on unions and teacher associations that support and protect hard working Kentucky families,” Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would stop automatic payroll deductions for some public employees’ unions or association dues. In his veto message, the governor said Senate Bill 7 violates the Kentucky Constitution by “targeting public […]
Beshear vetoes bill allowing ‘random’ venue changes in cases challenging Kentucky laws, decisions
Calling it an “unconstitutional power grab,” Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a Republican-backed bill Friday that allows a court case challenging the constitutionality of Kentucky laws and orders to be moved at random to a new courtroom across the state. Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would give plaintiffs, defendants and the […]
Beshear vetoes bill that would end new dental, hearing, vision care for 900,000 Kentuckians
Stressing workforce development, Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would end new Medicaid benefits for dental, hearing and vision care for 900,000 Kentuckians. “Senate Bill 65 will harm Kentuckians and frustrate efforts to increase Kentucky’s workforce,” Beshear said in his veto message issued Friday. Beshear expanded Medicaid coverage last fall through an administrative regulation […]
Kentucky lame-duck lawmakers flew to Hawaii on taxpayers’ tab
Seven lame-duck lawmakers were among 26 members of the Kentucky General Assembly who attended a conference last December in Hawaii. The trip cost taxpayers more than $86,000. The conference of the Council of State Governments in Honolulu, which attracted more than 1,000 state legislators from across the country, offered workshops on various governmental issues. It was […]
Beshear vetoes solar decommissioning bill, saying it weakens local control
Renewable energy developers have surged into Kentucky in recent years, seeking to establish large-scale solar installations covering thousands of acres with panels to harvest energy from the sun. It’s what happens to these large-scale projects at the end of their lives decades from now that Republican lawmakers have tried to address with a bill that […]
Beshear vetoes bill subjecting Kentucky’s top education official to Senate confirmation
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a statement from the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 107, Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green. Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill subjecting Kentucky’s top education official to Senate confirmation. Senate Bill 107 would require Senate confirmation of the Kentucky Board of Education’s pick for education commissioner. In […]
Beshear vetoes anti-trans, ‘parents rights’ bill
Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday vetoed a bill that would, among other things, ban gender-affirming care for Kentucky’s transgender minors. The legislation, Senate Bill 150, was passed by the Kentucky legislature in mid-March. Beshear’s veto was not surprising – in 2020 he became the first sitting Kentucky governor to attend an LGBTQ+ fairness rally. […]
Kentucky legislature scraps new Medicaid benefits for dental, vision, hearing care
In October, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced the expansion of dental, vision and hearing benefits for 900,000 Kentucky adults on Medicaid. On March 16, the Republican-controlled General Assembly took a final vote to take those benefits away, calling the regulation that created them deficient. Beshear said Thursday that he will find a way to keep […]