Today's Political Headlines

Beshear signs into law bills on marijuana oil, tax breaks, e-cigarette sales to minors
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)

FRANKFORT -- Gov. Steve Beshear signed into law several major bills Thursday, including limited use of marijuana oil for people with seizures, tax breaks for a proposed 21c Museum Hotel…Click to Continue » [...]

Thu, Apr 10, 2014 10:38:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Central Ky. officials wrangle over who's managing region's work-force development money
from lblackford@herald-leader.com (Linda B. Blackford)

A dispute over control of more than $8 million in federal funds provided annually for employee training and job assistance in 17 Central Kentucky counties spilled into public view this…Click to Continue » [...]

Thu, Apr 10, 2014 8:26:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Staffers: Lack of African-American Women 'Decision-Makers' in Kentucky Behind Arnold Ethics Verdict
from Phillip M. Bailey

The absence of African-American women in Kentucky's halls of power is why former state Rep. John Arnold hasn't been held accountable.That's according to Cassaundra Cooper and Yolanda Costner, two of the three statehouse staffers who have alleged they were sexually harassed and assaulted by Arnold over a three-year period.Since August, the Arnold scandal has put the treatment of women in the legislature front and center. [...]

Thu, Apr 10, 2014 6:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Tax receipts jump in March for state General Fund and Road Fund
from Jack Brammer

HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU FRANKFORT -- Revenue for the state's General Fund, which pays for most state programs, and the Road Fund showed growth in March, the state budget director's office reported Thursday. Receipts for the General Fund in March increased 2.4 percent compared to March of last year, an increase of $17.7 million. Total revenues for the month were $753.5 million, compared to $735.8 million in March 2013. Receipts have grown 1.5 percent for the first nine months of fiscal year 2014, which began last July 1. The official revenue estimate calls for 2.1 percent revenue growth for the entire fiscal year, [...]

Thu, Apr 10, 2014 5:52:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Roy Butler, ‘Father of Medicaid’ in Kentucky, dies at age 86
from Jack Brammer

HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU FRANKFORT -- A memorial service will be held Thursday at a Frankfort funeral home for Roy Butler, known as the "Father of Medicaid" in Kentucky who died Monday of complications with Parkinson's. He was 86. Butler, of Shelby County, worked 42 years in state government under the administrations of 11 governors. From the late 1980s until 1992, he was state Medicaid Services commissioner in the Cabinet for Human Resources. Last October, Butler was inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Public Health's "Hall of Fame" for "exceptional contributions to the health and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth." A [...]

Thu, Apr 10, 2014 3:25:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Beshear signs data protection bill into law

A bill aimed at protecting the personal data of both Kentucky consumers and students was signed into law Thursday by Governor Steve Beshear (D-Ky). [...]

Fri, Apr 11, 2014 12:38:47 PM, Continue reading at the source

US Transportation Secretary to visit Louisville bridges project

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx will visit the Ohio River Bridges Project next week in Louisville as part of a bus tour to promote more federal funding for transportation projects across the country. [...]

Fri, Apr 11, 2014 12:38:47 PM, Continue reading at the source

AG candidate Beshear recruits prominent Democrats, including his dad's appointees, as fundraiser hosts

04/10/2014 03:16 PM

• by Nick Storm 
• • 2 Comments

Of the $885,000 in donations 2015 attorney general candidate Andy Beshear collected in the last three months, more than half of it came from 42 fundraising events, most of which were held by prominent Democrats and allies of the Beshear family. And out of those 42 hosts who held events for Beshear, 15 of them were appointed by Beshear’s father, Gov. Steve Beshear, to cabinet positions or various boards and commissions, according to a review of Beshear’s finance reports. That... Read more 

In Crenshaw's retirement, legislature is losing a 'bulldog' who fought for Lexington and disadvantaged

04/10/2014 10:31 AM

• by Ryan Alessi 
• • 1 Comments

Rep. Jesse Crenshaw’s colleagues in the House describe him as tenacious when pushing for his priorities. His fellow Lexington Democrats call him a tenacious campaigner. And all them agreed he has been a tenacious advocate for people who don’t always have a voice in Frankfort. See a trend? Crenshaw is retiring at the end of this year after representing the 77th state House District since 1993. Fayette County Democrats honored Crenshaw Tuesday night at the party’s dinner. Bob Layton, the... Read more 

Legislative Calendar

Monday, April 14, 2014

9:00am, Annex Room 149
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Members: Sen. Ernie Harris (Co-Chair), Rep. Johnny Bell (Co-Chair), Sen. Perry B. Clark, Sen. Sara Beth Gregory, Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, Rep. Robert R. Damron, Rep. Jimmie Lee, Rep. Tommy Turner

9:00am, Annex Room 169
GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE
Members: Sen. Sara Beth Gregory (Co-Chair), Rep. Dennis Horlander (Co-Chair), Sen. Julian M. Carroll, Sen. Paul Hornback, Sen. Christian McDaniel, Rep. Jesse Crenshaw, Rep. Brad Montell, Rep. Brent Yonts

10:00am, Senate Chambers
Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)

Noon, House Chambers
House Convenes