Aloha and welcome back to On Kentucky Politics, the newsletter that keeps you updated on what’s going on with elected officials and government in the Bluegrass State and Louisville. Our aim is to keep you informed while holding public officials accountable, and we could not do it without you. So thank you for your readership and support.
Here’s the latest:
- Immigration fight. As the Biden administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott quarrel over border security, Republican leaders in Kentucky are chipping in. The GOP-led legislature has put forward two resolutions criticizing the president and calling on Gov. Andy Beshear to “express support for Governor Greg Abbott and the State of Texas in their efforts to secure the border.”
- A “hatchet” job? Gov. Andy Beshear says the Kentucky GOP’s budget proposal would lead to massive cuts in state jobs, but Republicans say that’s not what they have in mind. Here’s a look at their differing budget proposals and what Beshear calls “just taking a hatchet and hacking at the executive branch without even looking.”
- Safer Kentucky Act. A sweeping measure aimed at reforming Kentucky’s criminal law passed the House last week following hours of vociferous Democratic opposition. Supporters say House Bill 5 would improve public safety, but critics believe it could overload the state’s justice and correctional institutions and criminalize poverty and homelessness.
- The tab to defend Greenberg. Outside counsel hired to defend Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg against an ethics complaint signed a contract to receive up to $25,000 in city funds (i.e., taxpayer money) for their services — but the actual cost could be much higher.
- GOP break on the border. Some of the Senate’s more conservative Republicans are increasingly wary of a bipartisan plan to address Ukraine aid and the crisis at America’s southern border as former President Donald Trump weighs in. Apparently they include Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who reportedly said the group doesn’t want to “undermine” Trump. That may raise some eyebrows since the Kentucky senator and Trump have been more or less at odds since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Here’s just one example.