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Kentucky Politics Distilled

Louisville Public Mediawww.lpm.org
Kentucky Politics Distilled is our weekly rundown of the big news — and sometimes the odd news — happening in the state Capitol. With Kentucky’s elected leaders all in one place for a limited time, the developments can break in a rapid-fire fashion. Kentucky Politics Distilled helps ensure you don’t miss all the highs and lows coming out of Frankfort. We’ll discuss the important issues facing Kentucky and add context to the headlines that flew by over the week. New episodes post on Fridays. From Louisville Public Media
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Episodes

Legislative Session Ends With Spending, No-Knock Limits

This week in Kentucky politics, lawmakers overrode all of Gov. Andy Beshear’s vetoes and passed dozens of bills during the final days of the legislative session. They also set aside more than a billion for infrastructure projects funded by the federal coronavirus package.

Apr 03, 20216 min

Last Days Of The Legislative Session

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Andy Beshear signed dozens of bills passed by the legislature, but vetoed several as well. Next week lawmakers will return to consider overriding vetoes on the last two days of this year’s legislative session.

Mar 29, 20216 min

The Veto Period Rush

This week in Kentucky politics, lawmakers rushed more than 100 bills through the legislature ahead of Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto period. The last-minute flurry included massive tax breaks, and more attempts to curtail Beshear’s powers during the pandemic. But several high-profile bills didn’t make it across the finish line.

Mar 19, 20215 min

Legislature Considers Criminalizing Insults Against Police

This week in Kentucky politics, the state Senate passed a bill making it a crime to insult a police officer and boosting penalties for protest-related charges. And on the eve of the anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death, lawmakers passed a watered-down version of a bill limiting no-knock search warrants.

Mar 12, 20215 min

Reforming Elections And No-Knock Search Warrants

This week in Kentucky politics, a bill limiting — but not banning — no-knock warrants across the state gained momentum in the legislature. Lawmakers finally unveiled a long-promised election reform bill. And the committee reviewing petitions to impeach the governor and attorney general recommended dismissing the requests.

Feb 26, 20215 min

Rand Paul & The Mysterious Election Reform Bill

This week in Kentucky politics, Rand Paul urged state lawmakers to pass a mysterious bill that would change the election system . The debate over historical horse racing machines divided Republicans in the legislature . And criminal justice reform bills have been gaining momentum in the statehouse ....

Feb 12, 20216 min

LMPD Audit, Impeachment Fever Continues

This week in Kentucky politics, impeachment claims against Governor Andy Beshear continued to drag through the legislature, Rand Paul got the entire senate to go on record about Trump’s impeachment ahead of his trial, and Louisville released a scathing audit of its police department, showing over-policing of Black communities.

Jan 30, 20217 min

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed several bills that passed out of the legislature. Three grand jurors from the Breonna Taylor case filed an impeachment petition against Attorney General Daniel Cameron, saying he misled the public. And Mitch McConnell returned to his role as senate minority leader.

Jan 23, 20215 min

Impeachment Fever

This week in Kentucky politics, lawmakers created a committee to review a citizen impeachment petition against Gov. Andy Beshear. The move may have opened the door for more petitions to be filed against state politicians. Plus, officials are worried about a potential attack on the Kentucky capitol. And Mitch McConnell has once again found himself at the center of a presidential impeachment fight.

Jan 15, 20215 min

The General Assembly Returns

This week in Kentucky politics, the legislature returned and quickly advanced bills stripping the governor of his powers. All Kentucky members of Congress voted to accept the presidential election results, except for Hal Rogers, who cited unfounded claims of voter fraud. And after Democratic Senate victories in Georgia, Mitch McConnell will return to his role as minority leader.

Jan 09, 20214 min

Beshear Issues New Coronavirus Restrictions

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Beshear issued new coronavirus restrictions, banning indoor services at bars and restaurants and limiting gatherings. Republicans in the legislature quickly criticized the measures. And Kentucky’s GOP elected officials continued to question the outcome of the presidential election.

Nov 23, 20205 min

Supreme Court Upholds Beshear Coronavirus Orders

This week in Kentucky politics, the state Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Andy Beshear’s coronavirus-related restrictions are legal. Leaders of the Republican-led legislature said they still want to strip Beshear of those emergency powers. And Attorney General Daniel Cameron joined a lawsuit challenging mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.

Nov 13, 20205 min

Republicans Surge In Statehouse

This week in Kentucky politics, Republicans picked up several seats in the state legislature. GOP leaders say they want to clip Gov. Andy Beshear’s emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell easily won reelection, and later refused to condemn president’s claims of voter fraud.

Nov 06, 20204 min

Early Voting During The Pandemic

This week in Kentucky politics, early voting continues as the state enters into a new surge of the coronavirus pandemic. The state treasurer released a report accusing Gov. Beshear of improperly spending money to enforce coronavirus orders. And a new batch of polls came out showing Mitch McConnell ahead of Amy McGrath everywhere in Kentucky except Louisville.

Oct 24, 20204 min

McConnell And McGrath Debate

This week in Kentucky politics, Mitch McConnell and Amy McGrath squared off in the only debate of the senate race this year. With less than three weeks until Election Day, both candidates have been crisscrossing the state in an effort to turn out voters. And early voting started this week. Election officials want voters to cast their ballots early.

Oct 16, 20205 min

The Breonna Taylor Decision

This week in Kentucky politics, Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced an indictment against one of the officers in the Breonna Taylor case, but many questions remain. Gov. Andy Beshear and Taylor’s family are calling for Cameron to release the full investigation into her death. Meanwhile protests have erupted in Louisville and police response has gotten more intense.

Sep 25, 20205 min

Coronavirus Doubters

This week in Kentucky politics, as the state surpassed 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths, Republican lawmakers cast doubt on the severity of the virus. Republicans and Democrats have called for a special legislative session on police reform. And Attorney General Daniel Cameron was on a list of potential Supreme Court justices unveiled by President Trump.

Sep 11, 20205 min

Derby, Law and Order

This week in Kentucky politics, Republican legislators criticized Gov. Andy Beshear for not condemning racial justice protests in Louisville. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doubled down on his “law and order” strategy, publicizing his endorsement by the Fraternal Order of Police. And it’s Derby week, but crowds will be at Churchill Downs -- at least not on the inside.

Sep 04, 20204 min

Kentuckians At The RNC

This week in Kentucky politics, state elected officials rallied around Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention. Democratic senate candidate Amy McGrath released a cartoon campaign ad that had Mitch McConnell’s team crying foul. And state Rep. Charles Booker spoke at the March on Washington.

Aug 28, 20205 min

Absentee, Early Voting Expanded

This week in Kentucky politics, officials finalized the plan for expanding mail-in and early voting during the upcoming election. Gov. Andy Beshear applied for President Trump’s supplement to unemployment benefits. And Mitch McConnell and Amy McGrath argued over what debates should look like in the final months of their race for U.S. Senate.

Aug 21, 20204 min

Federal Coronavirus Bill Stalls

This week in Kentucky politics, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent lawmakers home for the month after a compromise couldn’t be reached on a new coronavirus bill. Gov. Andy Beshear said that the state won’t be able to afford President Trump’s executive order extending unemployment benefits. And Attorney General Daniel Cameron met with Breonna Taylor’s family, though he still doesn’t have a timeline on when the investigation into her death will be complete.

Aug 14, 20205 min

Unemployment Supplement Expires, Senate Race Heats Up

This week in Kentucky politics, Mitch McConnell’s latest coronavirus relief bill stalled in Congress right after the $600 per week supplement to unemployment benefits expired. Kentuckians got some fresh polling in the race between McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath, and McConnell accused McGrath of putting out a racist commercial.

Aug 07, 20204 min

McConnell Unveils New Coronavirus Bill

This week in Kentucky politics, Mitch McConnell unveiled a new coronavirus relief bill, but it still has a long way to go before becoming law. Gov. Andy Beshear rolled back Kentucky’s reopening during the pandemic, closing all bars and reducing restaurant capacity. And the debate continues over whether all Kentuckians will be able to cast ballots by mail this fall.

Jul 31, 20205 min

No Budget Shortfall, Beshear Calls For More Funding

This week in Kentucky politics, the state avoided a budget shortfall despite initial predictions that tax revenue would plummet in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic. But Gov. Andy Beshear says the next financial year could be bleak. The state Supreme Court refused Beshear’s request to disqualify a judge from a lawsuit challenging his coronavirus executive orders. And a group is suing once again to try and keep the Marsy’s Law constitutional amendment off the ballot.

Jul 29, 20205 min

McGrath To Take On McConnell

This week in Kentucky politics, Amy McGrath won Kentucky’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. She’ll now try to unify the party with the help of her former opponent, state Rep. Charles Booker. And Mitch McConnell gave us a taste this week of how he’ll be campaigning, releasing a new ad that drums up images of a culture war.

Jul 03, 20208 min

Underdog Democratic Senate Candidates Nab Endorsements

This week in Kentucky politics, big endorsements came in for underdog candidates in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. But Mitch McConnell and Democratic frontrunner Amy McGrath are already looking toward the general election. And the deadline to register to vote in the primary is Tuesday.

May 22, 20204 min

State Prepares For Budget Cuts

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Andy Beshear asked state agencies to come up with plans to significantly cut their budgets over the coming months. Mitch McConnell said he still doesn’t support sending more money to states unless business are shielded from lawsuits during the pandemic. And calls are mounting for an independent investigation into a Louisville police raid that killed 26-year-old Breonna Taylor. <br> <a rel="payment" href="https://www.lpm.org/podcast/kentucky-politics-...

May 15, 20205 min

More Testing Needed As State Reopens

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new schedule of business reopenings during the coronavirus pandemic. Beshear has moved on from his initial statement that the state wouldn’t open up until it sees a two-week decline in confirmed cases. And the governor revised his restrictions on traveling to the state during the pandemic after a judge struck them down. Donate to support this and future seasons of Kentucky Politics Distilled....

May 08, 20204 min

Attorney General Cameron Threatens To Sue Beshear

This week in Kentucky politics, Attorney General Daniel Cameron threatened to sue Gov. Andy Beshear for not allowing in-person church services during the coronavirus pandemic. The state got its first glimpse at how much tax revenue has dropped off amid business closures. And Kentucky’s senior Senator Mitch McConnell has new conditions for helping states out with their budget problems. Donate to support this and future seasons of Kentucky Politics Distilled....

May 01, 20204 min

McConnell Calls For Letting States Declare Bankruptcy

This week in Kentucky politics, Mitch McConnell said that states shouldn’t expect help shoring up their budgets during the coronavirus pandemic and that they should be allowed to file for bankruptcy. And Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order allowing every Kentuckian to vote by mail during this year’s primary elections. Donate to support this and future seasons of Kentucky Politics Distilled.

Apr 24, 20204 min
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