Tagged: legislation

Kentucky lawmakers are returning to Frankfort today to begin a special session called by Governor Steve Beshear.

Beshear has ordered lawmakers to take up a funding bill for the state's road plan and one addressing prescription pill abuse.

Those were the two major bills that died in the final hours of the 2012 regular session last week.

Beshear says passing those bills should only take lawmakers five days.

Kentucky House and Senate negotiators have reached a tentative agreement on a massive road construction plan. Senate Democratic Floor Leader R.J. Palmer says lawmakers reached the agreement around 2AM today which is the final day of this year's legislative session. Legislators were scheduled to vote on the plan this afternoon. The plan includes $3.5 billion worth of construction projects over the next two years and more than $10 million worth over the next 6 years.

Kentucky’s lawmakers were in veto recess this week, where the Governor looks over proposed legislation and signs or vetos. Kentucky Public Radio’s Capitol Bureau Chief Kenny Colston speaks with Rick Howlett about what happens during the recess week and what’s ahead for the state budget.

Although two major issues have been nearly resolved, Kentucky lawmakers still have a full agenda this session.

Redistricting and expanded gambling dominated the first half of the session. The gambling bill was defeated last week and redistricting was settled by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

But that doesn’t mean the legislative work is over. Lawmakers still have a two-year budget to pass. Senate President David Williams says that's just one of several pressing issues.