Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio

Gov. Beshear Vetoes Medicaid Bill, Promises Investigation Of Late Payment Claims

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:07:14 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed a bill sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would require prompt payment in the Medicaid managed care system.

Three Women To Serve On State Supreme Court

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:05:16 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - In a historic appointment, Governor Steve Beshear has named Court of Appeals Judge Michelle M. Keller of Fort Mitchell to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Amended Hemp Bill Passes Kentucky Legislature

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:06:18 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - State lawmakers have approved a bill to allow a regulatory framework to be set up for industrial hemp in Kentucky, if the crop is legalized at the federal level.

Senate Bill 50 will give control of licensing of future hemp farmers to the state’s Industrial Hemp Commission, while allowing Kentucky State Police to do background checks on the farmers.

The Department of Agriculture will oversee many administrative roles involved in industrial hemp.

Kentucky Lawmakers Approve Pension Deals, Avert Special Session

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:29:36 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky's legislative leaders have passed two bills to shore up the state's underfunded pension systems for government employees, effectively staving off a special session on the issue.

Deal Reached on Kentucky Military Voting Legislation

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:01:05 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A last-minute deal on legislation that would allow help streamline the voting process by overseas military personnel has cleared the Kentucky General Assembly.

Working until the last minute of the 2013 session, lawmakers went back to the original Senate version of the military voting bill, which allows for electronic sending of ballots to overseas military but snail mail return of the ballot.

State Senator Jimmy Higdon says the measure also sets up a task force to study the electronic return of ballots.

Agreement Reached On Pension Reform, Vote Expected Today

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio and Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:02:35 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky legislative leaders have reached agreement on a plan aimed at shoring up the state's underfunded pension systems, staving off the need for a special session of the General Assembly.

Ky. Lawmakers Continue Work on Pension Reform, Compromise Appears Uncertain

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:44:35 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - With only one day left in this year's legislative session, Kentucky House leaders are hopeful they have a deal to up shore up the state's underfunded pension system. But there may not be time to get it through the legislature.

GOP Lawmakers Would Run Against Each Other Under Redistricting Plan

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:03:09 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Kentucky redistricting plan would pit Republican against Republican in the next election cycle.

Hemp Bill Sails Through Senate Agriculture Committee

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:46:37 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - After testimony from a bevy of high-level supporters, the state Senate agriculture committee unanimously approved Monday a bill that would establish oversight for Kentucky industrial hemp farmer if hemp were made legal federally.

Citing Bleak Economic Outlook, Beshear Pushes for More Tax Revenue to Fund Education, Pensions

Kenny Colston, Kentucky Public Radio — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:17:04 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Steve Beshear is encouraging lawmakers to take bold stances in reforming the state's tax code, before past budget decisions and cuts and cripple Kentucky.

Beshear made the pleas Wednesday night in his annual State of the Commonwealth address.