“I’m just ashamed that this bill even came into fruition,” a Lexington council member said. By Zane McNeill , TRUTHOUT Republican lawmakers in Kentucky introduced a bill last Tuesday that would criminalize homeless encampments and expand the state’s Stand Your Ground law to allow property owners to confront unhoused people with a gun. The bill, dubbed the “Safer Kentucky Act,” already…
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton’s Opioid Abatement Commission met on January 12, 2024 in Council Chambers. Video of the meeting and the agenda is available below. Opioid Abatement Commission Regular Meeting Agenda, January 12, 2024: I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Adoption of Agenda IV. Approval of Minutes from December 8, 2023 V.…
Legislative Research Commission FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 17, 2024) — The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to advance a measure that would prohibit local governments from requiring landlords to participate in a Section 8 housing program. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, said Senate Bill 25 also states that no city…
via news release Gov. Beshear announced [Thursday] the next step toward becoming a national leader in mental health care as more than $4.7 million in federal and state funds are being provided to seven municipalities to implement community crisis co-response programs in the commonwealth. The partnerships between behavioral health professionals, law enforcement or other…
via press release FRANKFORT – Following months of meetings with stakeholders and other legislators, state Representatives Chad Aull and Scott Lewis and state Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong have filed legislation designed to help more students eat meals for free while incentivizing schools to purchase more Kentucky-grown agricultural products. “What we are calling the Kentucky…
Transparency took center stage on the first day of the 2024 Regular Session as lawmakers debated the rules that will govern their proceedings. “Debated” is a generous term for the supermajority’s response to pleas for greater transparency in the bill passage process and expanded opportunities for public input. Their argument for maintaining the status…
via Press Release Ritter looks to carry on the legacy of Rep. Lamin Swann. Frankfort, KY, January 5, 2024 – Lexington native Sarah Ritter filed for office today to challenge Rep. Adrielle Camuel in the Democratic Party for State Representative in Kentucky 93rd District representing southwestern Fayette County. “Lamin Swann was a great inspiration…
by Mike Wynn, Legislative Research Commission FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2024) — Lawmakers filed more than 200 bills this week on issues ranging from milk safety to the death penalty as the Kentucky General Assembly rolled through the first four days of the 2024 legislative session. The House and Senate convened the 60-day regular session on…
Via Press Release FRANKFORT – Against the backdrop of today’s filing deadline for candidates running in May’s primary, state Rep. Chad Aull announced he is sponsoring three election-reform bills he called “long overdue.” “Two of my proposals would really help voters by bringing Kentucky in line with the vast majority of states, while the…