A bill that would allow eligible businesses in Kentucky to operate cigar bars, which health organizations say could compromise public health, passed the House Local Government Committee Wednesday. House Bill 194 says a person can operate a cigar bar in Kentucky if they hold a valid alcoholic beverage license and patrons could smoke indoors or outdoors. […]
Author Archives: Kentucky Lantern
Posted inPolitics
Ky. House GOP budget takes aim at executive branch spending
The state executive branch would have to significantly cut spending for a number of expenses, including in-state and out-of-state travel, under a “bare bones” budget bill for the state executive branch filed this week by a key Republican committee chair. Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, the chair of the Kentucky House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, told […]
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Ky. Senate approves bill to clarify recent teacher, student electronic communication law
A bill that aims to revise restrictions on how Kentucky teachers communicate electronically with their students has passed out of the state Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, builds on her law from last year that required public school teachers and students to electronically communicate only by traceable forms, like emails and school-approved apps, […]
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Another year, another attempt to push KY’s Juul settlement dollars to prevention, cessation
Millions of dollars flowing into Kentucky from an e-cigarette company settlement go straight to the state’s general fund, mixing with public taxes and other revenue. Republicans in both the House and Senate are trying again this year to redirect that money — and settlement dollars from any future, related litigation — into smoking and vaping prevention […]
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Kentucky lawmakers will not convene Monday because of severe snow and ice across the state
The Kentucky General Assembly will not convene Monday because of severe winter weather. The Legislative Research Commission announced on social media that lawmakers will now convene Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Frankfort. The capitol annex will be closed Monday, but most LRC employees will telework and can be reached by email. Communities across the commonwealth have been […]
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Two lobbyists made more than $1 million lobbying the Kentucky General Assembly last year
In 2025 — for the first time — a lobbyist was paid more than $1 million to influence the actions of the Kentucky General Assembly. Actually, reports filed with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission this month show that two lobbyists were paid more than $1 million in 2025 for their work with the state legislature: […]
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KY bill to let pharmacists get Medicaid reimbursement clears Senate
A Republican proposal to let Kentucky pharmacists get Medicaid reimbursement for routine services like flu tests and medication therapy management breezed through the Senate unanimously on Wednesday. Sponsor Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, pitched Senate Bill 38 as a way to lower overall health care costs, improve health outcomes and reduce unnecessary visits to emergency rooms throughout the state. “When […]
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Public defenders leaving for better pay reaches ‘crisis’ in KY, lawmakers are told
Low pay and limited advancement opportunities are creating a “crisis” of turnover among Kentucky’s public defenders who are leaving for higher pay elsewhere, lawmakers were told Tuesday. Kentucky’s Public Advocate Damon Preston and Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe told a legislative committee the significant turnover risks “constitutional failures” with Kentuckians not receiving adequate representation in […]
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‘Planting a seed’ to make roads safer: KY Senate approves ‘phone-down’ law
A mother whose toddler died in a rear-end collision applauded a bill that cleared the Kentucky Senate Tuesday for “planting a seed” for “better behavior on our roads.” The measure would expand the state’s no texting while driving laws as a means to reduce distracted driving. Alyssa Burns, whose daughter Camberleigh died days before her […]
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Allowing local officials to renew KY driver’s licenses breezes through Senate
The Kentucky Senate gave near unanimous approval to allowing officials such as sheriffs and county clerks to renew driver’s licenses in counties without regional offices, sending Senate Bill 7 to the House for consideration. Sen. Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, the bill’s sponsor, on Friday told his fellow senators that “the burden has fallen too heavily on the people.” “Our constituents […]
