Latest Kentucky state government News
Kentucky governor marks civil rights event by condemning limits on diversity, equity and inclusion
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
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
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
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
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...
Kentucky House boosts school spending but leaves out guaranteed teacher raises and universal pre-K
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Republican-led Kentucky House endorsed higher spending for education in its two-year state spending plan on Thursday but left out two of the Democratic governor's top priorities — guaranteed pay raises for teachers and access to preschool for every 4-year-old. ...
Kentucky juvenile facilities have issues with force, staffing, report says
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s juvenile justice system has lingering problems with the use of force and isolation techniques and has done little to implement a 2017 state audit’s suggestions for improvement, according to a report released Wednesday. The new report from...
School choice measure will reach Kentucky's November ballot, key lawmaker predicts
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers are likely to put a proposal on the November ballot allowing voters to weigh in on whether the state should offer support for enrollments in charter and private schools, a key House committee chairman predicted Thursday. Republican Rep....
Effort to end odd-year elections for governor, other state offices wins Kentucky Senate approval
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A long-running effort to shift Kentucky's elections for governor and other statewide offices to coincide with presidential elections won approval in the state Senate on Wednesday. Now comes a much bigger test for supporters: whether they can muster enough votes to win House...
Republicans, Democrats finalize candidate lineups for Kentucky elections in 2024
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's congressional and legislative campaigns came into focus Friday as Republicans and Democrats completed candidate lineups for 2024 elections lacking a marquee race for statewide office unlike last year, when the state was in the limelight with its hotly contested...