Government

A bill intended to keep illegal immigrants from getting Kentucky welfare benefits is up for a state Senate committee vote today. Republican Senator Mike Wilson is sponsoring the legislation requiring welfare applicants to present proof of U.S. citizenship. Without that proof, applicants would be ineligible for government benefits.

The Kentucky Supreme Court will hear arguments today from a group of Graves County Amish men who refused for religious reasons to use a slow moving vehicle sign on their horse-drawn buggies. The men say their faith forbids them from using the orange reflective triangles as the color is immodest and the triangular shape represents the Holy Trinity which they do not believe in. Many have gone to jail for refusing to pay fines for not displaying the signs. An American Civil Liberties Union attorney is arguing on behalf of the men, who are part of the conservative Amish sect Swartzentruber.

A bill designed to help pay federal interest payments is one step closer to becoming law. The measure passed the House unanimously today, although a few Republicans expressed concerns over the bill. The bill would let the state borrow money to help make federal interest payments on a loan Kentucky took out during the recession. The state borrowed more than $900 billion to help pay for unemployment insurance, but didn’t account for interest payments. If the state is late on payments, the federal government can put a higher tax on employers to recoup the funds.

Lawmakers in both chambers have passed a bill aimed at reducing the cost of uncontested special legislative elections. Kentucky House lawmakers passed the measure weeks ago, while it passed the Senate today. The bill was proposed by Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes to help cut costs to her office and county clerks. State Senator Damon Thayer says the bill will cut back on the multiple voting locations which are currently required by law when there’s only one election and one candidate on the ballot. The bill won’t affect elections where multiple candidates are running.