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Say, whatever happened to that bill?
Kentucky lawmakers filed more than 1,200 bills this session — the most in more than 20 years — and passed about 215 of them before adjourning Monday, according to a news release from the Legislative Research Commission. That’s a lot of legislating to keep up with. So we...
Are Comer’s campaign donations coming from Kentucky?
I spent some time digging into James Comer’s latest FEC numbers, to see just where his campaign money is coming from. Mainly, I wanted to know if he was getting his support from Kentucky, or from other states. After looking at the data, if I had to summarize my...
The biggest loser in the HB 509 saga
As the dust settled from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly, Kentuckians stopped to consider who were the winners and who were the losers in the recently concluded session. Within hours, The Lexington Herald-Leader’s Linda Blackford penned an editorial identifying several winners whose “legislative successes came out of...
KYGA 2024 Recap
The following is provided by the John Y. Brown Group, a lobbying firm used by the Kentucky Press Association. The article was shared with KPA member publishers, which includes Forward Kentucky. The 2024 Legislative Session has adjourned Sine Die until January 7th, 2025, unless otherwise called into extraordinary session by...
After ten-year battle, a younger generation leads the way at Volkswagen
Ten years ago, Angelo Hernandez’s father was involved in the union drive at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. That effort narrowly failed, but a decade later, the son may be able to achieve his father’s dream. “He was the one who, like, told me about the union before...
Al Cross asks: Is the Lege serving our common-wealth?
In a republic, the form of government that the U.S. Constitution prescribes for states, the will of the people is supposed to be exercised through elected representatives. In Kentucky, we call our government a commonwealth, a term borrowed from our mother state, Virginia, meaning that it should serve the well-being of the people.
The Wrap for Wednesday, 4/17/24
Now that this year’s General Assembly is sine die, the news is turning toward this year’s elections. There are still some post-session analysis articles, and of course there are the many effects, good and bad, from the bills passed this session. But as someone who both tracks and creates stories about Kentucky politics, I can already sense the shift.
Kentucky lawmaker says he wants to renew efforts targeting DEI initiatives on college campuses
A Republican lawmaker has signaled plans to mount another effort to limit diversity, equity and inclusion practices at Kentucky's public universities after GOP supermajorities failed to resolve differences on the issue during the recently ended legislative session. Kentucky lawmakers will convene again in January, and state Sen. Mike Wilson said...
Kentucky Republicans and Democrats prepare to face off on ‘school choice’ amendment
As the dust settled on the General Assembly’s 2024 session, Republican and Democratic lawmakers began gearing up for a fierce fight on a constitutional amendment to allow public dollars to go to private schools. The amendment will be on the ballot this November. Putting the question to voters had...
Decision in eligibility challenge against Democratic lawmaker could come next week
A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge could make a ruling as early as next week about whether or not a sitting member of the Kentucky House of Representatives can appear on the May primary ballot. Rep. Nima Kulkarni, a Louisville Democrat who represents the 40th House District, filed earlier this...
Kentucky Chamber PAC announces candidate endorsements for May 21 primary election
The Kentucky Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC) has announced endorsements of several legislative candidates involved in the primary elections on Tuesday, May 21. Candidates selected by the Kentucky Chamber PAC for endorsement have demonstrated their dedication to making Kentucky more competitive, which will lead to job growth, economic development, and a higher quality of life for the citizens of their districts and the Commonwealth.
Molly Gene Crain interview
This week we kicked off our interviews with 2024 candidates by interviewing Molly Gene Crain, the candidate for Kentucky Senate in District 27. She spoke about her passion for public service, her reasons for running, and what she hopes to accomplish in Frankfort. Robert and Jazmin also discussed the end...
Here’s the Q1 fund-raising numbers for Congressional races
As we all know, five of our seats in the U.S. House are held by Republicans, and one is held by a Democrat. And as far as we can, all six incumbents are pretty safe in terms of this year’s election. One of the main ways they all seem...
The Wrap for Tuesday, 4/16/24
Today’s Wrap got a late start due to schedule conflicts, but is still full of Good Stuff to keep you informed. Lots of KYGA items, of course, including a feature story about Three Good Things that happened yesterday. But also, some stories from around the state and even D.C., as Thomas Massie is in the news. (Again.)
Kentucky lawmakers expedite medical marijuana licensing, but pass on adding extra conditions
Kentucky patients seeking to receive medical marijuana may be able to do so very early in 2025, helped in part by the passage of a bill Monday to move up the licensing timeline for the state’s new program. The state’s medical cannabis program was created by Senate Bill 47...
Kentucky’s new anti-vaping law ignites constitutional challenge
Four vape shops, the Kentucky Vaping Retailers Association and the Kentucky Hemp Association have filed suit in Franklin Circuit Court seeking to strike down a new state law outlawing the sale of some of their products. Greg Troutman, a lawyer for the Kentucky Smoke Free Association, which represents vape retailers,...
Believe it or not, THREE good things happened in Frankfort yesterday
Those of us who have followed the Lege for years are always nervous about the final days of the session. We wonder what horrific or ignorant bills are going to pop up at the last minute. And we are prepared at a moment’s notice to utter the famous Dorothy Parker quote: “What fresh hell is this?”
Let us savor the victory for open records – then prepare for the next fight
In responses ranging from disinterested to comatose, Republican leadership registered little concern about the demise of HB 509 last night. Could it be that the sponsors were unable to generate sufficient enthusiasm/votes in the Senate to justify calling the damnable thing? Or could it be that a bipartisan public expressed it’s opposition with such vehemence that lawmakers admitted their error in judgment and retreated?
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