Kevin Willis

The chairman of a Kentucky Senate committee is promising to file legislation aimed at preventing Gov. Beshear from setting up two major pieces of the federal health care law without legislative approval.

The Courier-Journal reports Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chair and Louisville Republican Julie Denton says she doesn’t want the Governor to be able to unilaterally establish a new statewide health care exchange or expand Medicaid services to more Kentuckians. Denton and other Obamacare opponents say the state can’t afford the exchange or expanded Medicaid offerings.

Denton’s bill would make such moves contingent on General Assembly approval. Gov. Beshear has already taken steps to create a statewide health care exchange by 2014, which would allow those who don’t get insurance at work to buy a plan from a private company and receive government subsidies in the process.

The Medicaid expansion would allow those earning less than 133 percent of the poverty rate to qualify for the program. Beshear says he is still considering the Medicaid expansion, while House Speaker Greg Stumbo says he fully supports the move.

Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner is leveling criticism against the Environmental Protection Agency regarding a pollution control plan in Jefferson County.

In an interview with the Courier-Journal, James Comer came out swinging against water quality sampling conducted for the Floyds Fork Pollution Control Plan. The waterway serves as a focal point for Louisville’s newest string of parkland, but it currently fails to meet federal water quality standards. Comer says he’s worried that water quality sampling done at the site could result in new EPA regulations.

The Monroe County native says he’s especially concerned at the prospect of the EPA imposing new rules on how much fertilizer farmers can spread on their fields. But EPA officials and the Kentucky Division of Water both say the federal government doesn’t have the authority to impose limits on fertilizer applications and farm runoff.

You never know where life will take you after graduation.

For 2011 WKU graduate and soccer star Libby Stout, the "where" became France. Stout plays in a professional women's soccer league there, following her record-setting career at WKU.

The Courier-Joural interviewed Stout about life in Europe, adapting to the French language and culture, and comparing "futbul" in the U.S. to what she's experiencing overseas.

Kentucky lawmakers Tuesday began the new legislative session with a lot on their plates. Legislators are expected to take up the state's struggling pension system for government retirees, changes to the state tax code, legislative redistricting, and more.

The House and Senate convened at noon eastern time.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell says he'll oppose efforts by the White House to raise any more tax revenue moving forward, telling ABC News the "tax issue is finished."

The Kentucky Republican's stance on the issue differs from calls by many Democrats--and even some House Republicans--to look at a major reworking of the U.S. tax code, including the closing of some provisions and raising new revenue.

The New York Times reports McConnell is focusing intently on spending cuts, saying President Obama should take the lead on future fiscal plans.