Deal struck on $21B budget early Thursday; lawmakers say agreement blends Senate, House priorities
04/14/2016 05:22 AM
FRANKFORT — Lawmakers have reached an agreement on a $21 billion biennial spending plan after spending several hours negotiating behind closed doors on Wednesday and into Thursday. The General Assembly will vote on the final legislative version of the budget Friday, the last day of the 60-day session. Legislative Research Commission staff has said they need 36 hours to print copies of the budget, which would put the agreement in play around 3 p.m. Details were scant initially as Senate President Robert... Read more 
Retiring Rep. David Floyd says military background helped him as a legislator
04/13/2016 06:21 PM
FRANKFORT – 50th District State Rep. David Floyd, R-Bardstown, is ending his 12-year career in the House of Representatives this year as he has chosen not to seek re-election. The Bardstown Republican, who spent a career in the United States Air Force, brought a unique perspective to the General Assembly because of his military background, which he says, helped him to become an effective legislator. “In the Air Force, you met people from all walks of life, from all parts of the... Read more
Trio of Democratic lawmakers join suit against Gov. Bevin's higher education cuts
04/13/2016 12:05 PM
FRANKFORT — Three Democratic lawmakers are asking to join on to a lawsuit challenging Gov. Matt Bevin’s power to cut university funding for the rest of the fiscal year by amending the previous budget passed by the General Assembly. Reps. Jim Wayne, Mary Lou Marzian and Darryl Owens all joined party to file a motion on Tuesday challenging against Gov. Bevin, and backing up a suit brought by Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear. The three Louisville lawmakers say they... Read more
Has Frankfort adopted the dysfunction of Washington, D.C.?
04/13/2016 09:02 AM
Politicians in Kentucky’s Capitol have always been somewhat dysfunctional, but insiders and observers are taking note of a shift in rhetoric that has become reminiscent of partisan speak in another political town located on a river 550 miles away. Political rhetoric, posturing and the stop-and-start negotiations over a two-year budget now has first-year Republican Gov. Matt Bevin saying he won’t call a special session and bringing up terms often bandied about in Washington, D.C. — partial government shutdown. Observers from... Read more
Felony expungement supporters herald bill signed into law as a second chance for many Kentuckians
04/12/2016 09:59 PM
FRANKFORT — Thousands of Kentuckians will be able to have low-level felony convictions wiped from their records in an expungement bill ceremonially signed into law Tuesday. House Bill 40 covers a number of Class D felonies that can be vacated under the new law, such as third-degree burglary, drug possession and prescription forgery, five years after the completion of their sentences, including parole and probation. Gov. Matt Bevin signed HB 40 into law on Tuesday, saying the legislation is another chance for... Read more
Gov. Bevin: No special session if General Assembly adjourns without budget
04/12/2016 07:04 PM
UPDATED FRANKFORT — If the General Assembly adjourns sine die without a budget in his first session as governor, Gov. Matt Bevin said Tuesday that he will not call lawmakers back to the Capitol. Bevin said it’ll be up to House Speaker Greg Stumbo and other Democratic leaders to compromise on a $21 billion biennial budget. Without a spending plan in place, state government will face a partial shutdown July 1, and the first-year governor said House Democrats would be to... Read more
A few months ago, when they became available, I signed up to get an advanced meter installed on my house. It was one of the energy-efficiency programs Louisville Gas and Electric was offering, and I was intrigued by its promise of letting me more closely track my energy usage through an online dashboard. As I’ve previously reported, my house isn’t the most energy-efficient. The meter was installed last week, and now I’ve got a week’s worth of energy usage to study. LG&E spokeswoman Liz Pratt walked me through the online portal, which lets you drill down — to the 15-minute interval — [...]
Thu, Apr 14, 2016 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
LEXINGTON — Three weeks after the federal government accused Kentucky’s former No. 2 law enforcement official of accepting bribes, the company believed to have made the alleged payoffs is nowhere to be found. On March 25, FBI agents raided MC Squared Consulting’s office in the colonial-style Richmond Square complex off Man o’ War Boulevard, according to spectators and two company employees. Today, visitors to unit 23 are greeted by a locked door and a paper sign saying “Out of town today.” Neighboring office workers remain flabbergasted. Two, who asked not be identified, said nearly a dozen FBI agents spent most of that [...]
Thu, Apr 14, 2016 10:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
State lawmakers have come to an agreement on a budget that makes nearly across-the-board spending cuts, enacts performance funding for higher education and puts more money into the ailing state pension systems. House Speaker Greg Stumbo called it “an adequate and effective blend” of the House, Senate and Gov. Matt Bevin’s budget priorities. Senate President Robert Stivers said the bill was ready for a vote. “I believe we have an agreement on all issues related to the budget,” Stivers said. The final document is expected to be approved by both legislative chambers on Friday, the last day of the General Assembly. Lawmakers did not have [...]
Thu, Apr 14, 2016 9:58:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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