Joe GravissAug 24, 20204 minLegislative Update - August 24th, 2020 - November ElectionBack in June, Kentucky earned widespread praise across the country for the way we conducted our primary election during a pandemic.
Joe GravissJul 25, 20203 minLegislative Update - July 25th, 2020 State government got a welcome dose of good news this week, the just-completed fiscal year ended with a slight surplus.
Joe GravissJul 7, 20203 minLegislative Update - July 7th, 2020A common misunderstanding about the legislative process is that all new laws take effect when the governor signs them.
Joe GravissJul 1, 20203 minLegislative Update - June 30th, 2020 - Independence DayWe may be celebrating a subdued Independence Day this year because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t diminish the gratitude we have.
Joe GravissJun 23, 20204 minLegislative Update - June 23rd, 2020 - Kentucky UnemploymentBack in January, all signs pointed to 2020 being another good year economically for our country.
Joe GravissJun 9, 20204 minLegislative Update - Interim - June 9th, 2020Last week, legislators returned to the Capitol to kick off this year’s interim, which will last until the early days of December.
Joe GravissMay 20, 20203 minLegislative Update - May 19, 2020Early voting and no-excuse absentee ballots are two simple changes that would almost certainly drive up voter turnout, which has been low.
Joe GravissApr 26, 20203 minLegislative Update - April 26th, 2020Now that this year’s legislative session is over, it’s worth taking a look back at the ideas that didn’t make it, since most will likely be
Joe GravissApr 19, 20204 minLegislative Update - April 19th, 2020Under Kentucky’s constitution, two hard deadlines govern legislative sessions in even-numbered years: They cannot last more than 60 working
Joe GravissApr 11, 20204 minLegislative Update - April 11th, 2020Several of this year’s prominent new laws will improve our collective health. Senate Bill 56, for example, will raise the age to buy tobacco
Joe GravissMar 29, 20203 minLegislative Update March 29th, 2020 - Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security ActDuring an emergency, one of the most important things leaders need is added flexibility to do their job. Some rules that are necessary when
Joe GravissMar 15, 20203 minLegislative Update - March 15th, 2020The legislative process may have continued much as it has since the General Assembly began meeting in January...
Joe GravissMar 8, 20204 minLegislative Update - March 8th, 2020A month and a half after Governor Andy Beshear presented his administration’s two-year budget proposal to the General Assembly, the Kentucky
Joe GravissFeb 23, 20203 minLegislative Update - February 23rd, 2020The House may consider a wide variety of issues during any given week of a legislative session, but there are times when themes emerge...
Joe GravissFeb 16, 20203 minLegislative Update - February 14, 2020Over the years, Kentucky has adopted a number of smart-on-crime measures designed to improve our criminal justice system...
Joe GravissFeb 1, 20204 minLegislative Update - 2/1/2020 - Governor Beshear's Budget Plan for State Government 2020-2022In even-numbered years, the top priority of the General Assembly is always the same: Pass a budget to run state government.
Joe GravissJan 26, 20203 minLegislative Update - Budget ProposalOn Tuesday this week, Governor Andy Beshear will formally present his proposed budget to run state government for the next two years
Joe GravissJan 19, 20203 min7-year-old Frankfort boy inspires shelter pet legislationSeven-year-old Ethan Branscum, of Frankfort, had an idea to help his animal friends. Thursday, it led to a legislative committee approval of
Joe GravissJan 19, 20203 minLegislative Update - Week 2 Recap 2020One of the early high points of each legislative session is the governor’s State of the Commonwealth address, which brings together leaders
Joe GravissJan 10, 20203 minLegislative Update - 2020 Legislative Session Kicks OffWith a long agenda and just 60 days to work through it, my fellow General Assembly members and I returned to the Capitol early this week