State Government

Over the last week, Republicans have advanced bills in both the House and Senate that would ban transgender girls from participating in girls sports, even though there haven’t been any complaints in Kentucky about such rare cases.

Rep. Chad McCoy, a Bardstown Republican and the bill's sponsor, said he favors totally eliminating the death penalty, but this is a first step.

Under House Bill 6, the tax would stay at last year’s level for 2022 and move to an average appraisal in the future.

A revenue surplus — boosted by federal coronavirus recovery funds — has created an environment where tax changes are being considered. 

The legislation spans health care, social issues, education and criminal justice.

The move would significantly boost the power of Kentucky’s part-time legislature, which is normally only allowed to pass laws during the first few months of the year.

The Commonwealth Sheltering Program, which provided the trailers, also provided trailers in Mayfield on Friday. They are expected to provide "medium-term" housing for displaced familiies for at least the next six months.

Sen. Damon Thayer said Gov. Andy Beshear has failed to work with legislators as well as his father, former Gov. Steve Beshear, did when he served from 2007 to 2015.

Noting that his executive branch is masked up, the Democratic governor said, "We have not had a major outbreak that I think they’re seeing on the legislative side. That’s because masks work."

The Kentucky Democratic Party, Rep. Derrick Graham and four residents announced they would sue to block the maps, arguing they violate the Kentucky Constitution by splitting counties into multiple districts “without legitimate purpose” and more times than is necessary to create districts of roughly equal size.

The most notable feature of that bill, would extend Hopkinsville's 1st Congressional district from the westernmost tip of Kentucky all the way to Frankfort in central Kentucky.

Proponents said the bill streamlines the licensure process and allows for new services.