Ryan Van Velzer

4 weeks ago | lpm.org | Ryan Van Velzer

Amid a slew of vetoes, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear rejected a bill Tuesday that would roll back protections for many state waterways. Beshear said Senate Bill 89 doesn’t protect groundwater for more than 150 public water systems that, combined, are used by more than 1.5 million Kentuckians. “Kentuckians deserve a government that protects one of the commonwealth’s most abundant natural resources,” Beshear said in his veto message.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Ryan Van Velzer

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentuckians would be less safe in the workplace under legislation he vetoed Monday night. In his veto message, he said House Bill 398 abandons Kentucky’s occupational health and safety rules by stopping the state from enforcing protections more comprehensive than federal standards. “House Bill 398 will lead to more workplace injuries, with Kentucky workers paying the price,” Beshear said in the veto message.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Ryan Van Velzer |Sylvia Goodman |Joe Sonka

What best wets your whistle, what’s clearer than crystal, what’s sweeter than honey and stronger than steam? It’s bourbon, and it’s going down the drain in Ontario. The humours of whiskey also wafted over the legislature this week as the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky lobbied lawmakers to mull a moratorium on hemp-derived beverages. Yes, it’s that time of the session where lawmakers are passing a slew of legislation out of committee with wide ranging impacts.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Ryan Van Velzer

The committee to discuss and vote on one of the most controversial bills of the Kentucky legislative session ended in a tidy 60 minutes, but it’s not for lack of speakers. Numerous citizens had signed up to speak against House Bill 4, which would eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Kentucky public colleges. After the bill’s Republican sponsor and her supporters gave their speech and answered questions for roughly 40 minutes, the committee chair GOP Rep.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Sylvia Goodman |Joe Sonka |Ryan Van Velzer

Here's what happened last week in state politics: Following in the footsteps of federal action, GOP Sen. Lindsey Tichenor successfully attached a floor amendment late last week to an otherwise uncontroversial bill that would largely remove the ability of state employees to work remotely.