Tagged: Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A new report says hard times are expected to continue for the coal industry in Central Appalachia, which at one time was the hub of the nation's coal production.

Coal business in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia is facing declining reserves, higher production costs and competition from other coal basins and natural gas.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A panel appointed by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to review cases of severe child abuse and neglect says it expects to issue its first report later this year.

The Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel began meeting last November after Beshear created it through an executive order.

FRANKFORT, Ky.-- Kentucky faced huge declines in revenue from key tax sources in April despite a rebounding national economy, the state's top budget official said Friday.

State Budget Director Jane Driskell released a monthly revenue report showing that corporate income tax revenue fell by nearly 90 percent in April compared to April 2012 levels.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- When Kentucky passed a law in 2010 to require insurers to cover autism treatment, Heather Dales felt like a weight had lifted off her family.  Until she billed the insurance company.

Since the law took effect in early 2011, Dales said the plan failed to reimburse her and her husband for tens of thousands of dollars' worth of care. Most of it paid tuition to the Highlands Center for Autism in Prestonsburg, Ky., which she said drastically improved the development of her son, Hunter, now 6.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is in the running to produce an unspecified new vehicle model and add 570 permanent full-time workers at its Georgetown plant, according to details the carmaker provided to state officials to qualify for tax incentives.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved $146.5 million in state tax incentives on Wednesday to help with the cost of the proposed $531 million expansion.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Funding for a school safety program in Kentucky has been cut by almost 60 percent over the last five years.

The Courier-Journal reports funding for the Safe Schools Program has decreased from $10.4 million in 2007-2008 to $4.5 million in the current school year. The funding cut has led to less safety audits being performed at schools around the state by the Kentucky Center for School Safety.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A panel appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear to review Kentucky's tax system on Monday recommended dozens of changes that include lowering individual and corporate tax rates, raising the cigarette tax and expanding the sales tax to certain services.

Changes suggested by the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform would generate about $659 million in additional state revenue each year, said Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson, who headed the group that spent months studying the state's tax code.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - After months building a state-based health exchange, Kentucky officials have been told that the federal government has given approval to their work.

Despite objections from Republican lawmakers, Kentucky officials quickly began working on a state-based exchange --- a part of the Affordable Care Act.

Many states surrounding Kentucky are opting for a federal-run exchange or haven’t yet made a decision.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - After years of defeat, Kentucky lawmakers believe an expanded gambling bill could become law next year. 

At the Kentucky Chamber’s annual policy day, House Speaker Greg Stumbo and new Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer discussed the prospects of such a bill in the upcoming session. Both leaders suggested the opposing chamber take up the bill first when they get to Frankfort next month.