Wednesday, lawmakers made a priority of flipping Gov. Andy Beshear's vetoes and by the end of the day, they had made their way through the list — putting a number of bills, including a highly-controversial ban on gender-transitioning servicesfor minors, on the road to becoming law.
A bill handing Lexington's city council a say in parking rate hikes also crossed the finish line, without a signature from the governor. City government and LexPark both came out against the bill prior to its passage.
Now, with one day left, it's up to the GOP-led legislature to take votes on bills that Beshear is expected to sign if given the chance.
In the highly likely category is medical marijuana, which need only pass a House committee and the full House, and the support looks to be there. Rep. Jason Nemes has helped spearhead the effort to get medical cannabis through the chamber before.
"We knew that we'd get here if we got the shot. We've been given that fair shot," Nemes said after the bill finally gained traction on the Senate side.
The medical marijuana bill is now scheduled for a committee vote Thursday.
As for items with less momentum that still have a chance, the Senate could still take up a bill gradually phasing out a bourbon barrel tax, potentially affecting funding for local governments. Supporters of sports betting have also been working to shore up enough votes in the upper chamber.
As for the highly unlikely column, House Speaker David Osborne said a bill placing new restrictions on drag shows appears done for the session. Even if passed, it would require a signature from the governor.
The caveat, as always: don't count any bill out until midnight Thursday.
