Latest Kentucky state government News

Bill meant to improve math skills passes as Kentucky lawmakers reach end of legislative session

Apr. 15, 2024 21:39 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Legislation aimed at improving the math skills of Kentucky students won final passage Monday as lawmakers considered the final stacks of bills before concluding this year's legislative session. A measure intended to reduce the Bluegrass State’s maternal...

Progressive candidates are increasingly sharing their own abortion stories after Roe's demise

Apr. 13, 2024 14:41 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — For decades, only three people knew Gloria Johnson had had an abortion. But a year of watching women and doctors agonize under Tennessee's strict abortion ban kicked up a fire in the longtime Democrat. She watched in dismay as her Republican colleagues in...

Republican-backed budget bill with increased K-12 funding sent to Kentucky's Democratic governor

Mar. 28, 2024 21:31 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's legislature delivered on a new two-year state budget Thursday that would increase funding for K-12 schools as lawmakers accomplished their biggest responsibility of this year's legislative session. The spending plan won final passage in the House...

Republican-passed bill removes role of Democratic governor if Senate vacancy occurs in Kentucky

Mar. 28, 2024 20:17 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a bill stripping the state's Democratic governor of any role in picking someone to occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The...

State budget bill passed by Kentucky Senate would increase support for schools

Mar. 27, 2024 22:45 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate delivered bipartisan support Wednesday night for a new two-year state budget that would increase funding for K-12 schools as lawmakers moved closer to accomplishing their biggest responsibility of this year's legislative session. The budget...

Kentucky governor marks civil rights event by condemning limits on diversity, equity and inclusion

Mar. 05, 2024 15:23 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear condemned efforts to limit diversity, equity and inclusion practices at public universities after marching with other Kentuckians on Tuesday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of a landmark civil-rights rally that featured Martin Luther King Jr....

Kentucky House supports special election to fill any Senate vacancy in Mitch McConnell's home state

Mar. 04, 2024 18:51 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Republican-dominated Kentucky House voted Monday to remove any role for the state's Democratic governor in deciding who would occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The...

Kentucky House backs giving lawmakers authority over statues in Capitol Rotunda

Mar. 01, 2024 15:06 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers would claim authority over what statues are installed or removed from the state Capitol's Rotunda under a bill passed Friday by the GOP-led House, a move the bill sponsor said has nothing to do with the removal of a statue of Confederate President...

Early childhood education bill wins support from state Senate panel

Feb. 27, 2024 13:02 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An ambitious measure to expand early childhood education in Kentucky passed an early test Tuesday, winning broad support from a legislative panel as lawmakers look for ways to relieve parental stress by increasing access to childcare. The proposal cleared the...

A booming bourbon industry has Kentucky leaders toasting record growth

Feb. 06, 2024 17:42 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Fifteen years ago, bourbon barons poured whiskey out on the steps of the Kentucky Capitol to protest a looming tax increase on the spirits industry. On Tuesday, industry leaders reassembled with a bipartisan group of Kentucky leaders to toast the bourbon sector's record...