Kentucky Politics Distilled

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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 on...

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.

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.

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...

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 suppor...

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 su...

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...

This week in Kentucky politics, the legislature wrapped up its 2020 session with a flurry of veto overrides, abortion bills and constitutional amendments. Gov. Andy Beshear said he’s working with a group of neighboring states to coordinate when and how to ease coronavirus restrictions. And protestors gathered at the capitol to protest business closures. Erica Peterson talked to capitol reporter Ry...

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Andy Beshear urged churches to not hold Easter services during the coronavirus pandemic. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that banning drive-in church services violates first amendment rights. And the legislature returns next week to consider overriding Gov. Beshear’s vetoes.

This week in Kentucky politics, the legislature finally passed a budget, but they have little idea of how much money the state will make during the coronavirus epidemic. A legislative staffer has contracted the disease. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continued his quest to fill judicial vacancies with conservative judges.

This week in Kentucky politics, the state legislature still met during the coronavirus pandemic. They passed an emergency bill to help provide some relief to workers and businesses dealing with the virus, and they advanced a slew of other measures. And Kentucky’s 4th district Congressman Thomas Massie received America's ire for threatening to block a federal coronavirus bill. Donate to support thi...

This week in Kentucky politics, the legislature met amid the growing coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers rushed to pass a budget and other bills before eventually adjourning for a week. And all of it took place during a lock down of the capitol, with only legislators, essential staff and reporters allowed inside.  Donate to support this and future episodes of Kentucky Politics Distilled.

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Andy Beshear headed up the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, recommending that schools, churches and employers cease in-person activities. And Leaders of the legislature say they’re evaluating how to proceed with this year’s budget writing session. Kentucky Politics Distilled Donate to support this and future episodes of Kentucky Politics Distilled.

This week in Kentucky politics, the House of Representatives passed a budget that cuts some of Gov. Andy Beshear’s proposals. Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate participated in a forum in Newport. And the legislature is considering more anti-abortion measures. Donate to support this and future episodes of Kentucky Politics Distilled.

This week in Kentucky politics, a Republican won a historically Democratic seat in the state House of Representatives during a special election. And the Kentucky Democratic Party called for a Republican state senator to resign after he made homophobic remarks during a campaign event. Donate to support this and future episodes of Kentucky Politics Distilled.

This week in Kentucky politics, a medical marijuana bill passed out of a legislative committee, raising hopes for advocates that this will be the year the measure passes. Executives for the controversial Braidy Industries aluminum mill testified in the state capitol after the removal of its CEO. And advocates rallied to try and build support of gun safety measures.

This week in Kentucky politics, the legislature passed a bill requiring every school in the state to have an armed law enforcement officer. Gov. Andy Beshear tried to rally support for a measure to legalize sports betting in Kentucky, but initial momentum behind the bill is fading.