Kentucky General Assembly

Kentuckians charged with low-level crimes often brought on by substance abuse or mental illness can avoid incarceration by participating in specialty courts. But the next two-year state budget being crafted in the General Assembly threatens to eliminate that option.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill that would opt Kentucky into a federal scholarship program for K-12 students. House Bill 1 would allow students to receive scholarships for private school tuition funded by donors receiving a federal tax credit starting in 2027.

Western Kentucky University is ending gender-inclusive housing, among other changes, to comply with the state’s new anti-DEI law.

A Franklin Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit by State Auditor Allison Ball against the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The case stems from 2024 legislation on kinship caregivers.

In 2022, the General Assembly approved HB 9, setting up a funding mechanism for charter schools.

Ahead of the 2026 legislative session, Gov. Andy Beshear is working to sell his proposal for expanding preschool access. The Democrat's “Pre-K for All” campaign came to Bowling Green Wednesday evening for a town hall at Western Kentucky University.

Western Kentucky University says it’s in compliance with a new state law targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The law bans DEI initiatives, which according to the Republican General Assembly, promote preferential treatment to individuals on the basis of religion, sex, color, or national origin.

Gov. Andy Beshear is renewing his call for universal pre-K in Kentucky. This time, he’s harnessing the power of education and business leaders in an effort to influence reluctant state lawmakers.

Kentucky has a new law that increases punishments for people who repeatedly violate restraining orders. The new law makes it a felony if someone violates an emergency protective order three times within five years.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has signed a Republican-backed measure to further reduce Kentucky’s income tax. The state's personal income tax will be lowered from 4% to 3.5% percent on Jan. 1, 2026.