State Government

In a statement, Comer condemned the acts of pro-Trump extremists who breached the Capitol on Wednesday.

The Republican-led Kentucky legislature is moving quickly with bills to alter the governor’s emergency powers, restrict abortions and allow businesses to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill would expand the current statute to include protections for all dogs and cats, not just domestic pets as previously legislated.

Legislators need to pass a one-year budget amid uncertainties about how much money the state will bring in, and they must respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Republican leaders say they want to strip Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of his power to respond to the pandemic.

Rep. Myron Dossett is sponsoring the bill that aims to waive state income taxes and fees for utility and communication businesses and employees while they respond to natural, out-of-state disasters. He said it’s important because unlike other states, Kentucky utility employees are still required to pay Kentucky rates, even when working out of state.

Based on the state population of 4.47 million, each district in the 100-member state House of Representatives should have about 44,700 people, each district in the 38-member state Senate should have about 117,000 people and each of Kentucky’s six Congressional districts should have 745,000 people.