Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear

Tea Party Activist Sues Beshear Over Medicaid Expansion

Kenny Colston — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Tea party activist David Adams is again suing Gov. Steve Beshear.

This time it's over the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare.

The lawsuit aims at stopping Beshear from expanding Medicaid in Kentucky.

Kentucky's Insurance Exchange Is Named, 'Similar to Travelocity or Expedia' Experience

Kenny Colston — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:24:13 +0000

Kentucky's new exchange for people on the market for healthcare now has a name and a website.

It'll be called Kynect—pronounced "connect." People can access it at kynect.ky.gov. A phone line will be running in August.

Kynect will be fully operational in time for October open health insurance enrollment.

Senator Mitch McConnell Questions Governor's Decision to Expand Medicaid

Phillip M. Bailey — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:45:37 +0000

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell questioned Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's long-awaited decision to expand Medicaid coverage under the president's health care law, arguing it will expose Kentuckians to increasing costs.

As Kentucky Public Radio's Kenny Colston reports, Beshear, a Democrat, announced the state's Medicaid program will extend coverage to over 300,000 Kentuckians under the Affordable Care Act or what opponents calls Obamacare.

This means the state's Medicaid rolls will extend to more low-income and poor people who are below 138 percent of the federal poverty line.

The governor called it the right thing to do, and the decision was praised by fellow Democrats and health advocacy groups.

However, Kentucky's senior senator warned the extension will be costly for residents and hurt small businesses.

"Given Kentucky’s struggles to finance its current Medicaid program and the uncertainty of future federal funding, I am surprised the governor would make this decision to further implement Obamacare and expose the commonwealth’s taxpayers to more open ended expenses they cannot afford," McConnell said in a statement.

Democrats, Health Groups Praise Beshear's Decision to Expand Medicaid

Kenny Colston — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:13:44 +0000

After months of deliberations, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has decided to expand Medicaid in Kentucky under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare—a move that's won praise from Democrats and health advocacy groups.

Stumbo Pens Letter to Beshear Asking for Special Session for Redistricting

Kenny Colston — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:10:44 +0000

House Speaker Greg Stumbo is encouraging Gov. Steve Beshear to soon call a General Assembly special session so that lawmakers can pass new state legislative redistricting maps and end a federal lawsuit.

Beshear May Still Call Special Session for Redistricting, Tax Reform

Kenny Colston — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Despite passing some pension and tax reforms in this year's Kentucky General Assembly session, state lawmakers aren't out of the clear when it comes to another special session.

A few big issues still remain for lawmakers—mainly redistricting and more tax reform.

Gov. Steve Beshear has the sole authority to call a special sessions and to set their agenda. And with Beshear continuing to express a need for more tax reform to pay for education, he's not ruling out calling a special session sometime this year.

Beshear Calls McConnell Recording 'Deplorable,' Criticizes McConnell's Remarks

Kenny Colston — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:34:13 +0000

Governor Steve Beshear is criticizing the secret recording of a campaign meeting of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell that was leaked.

Hemp, Medi-Share Bills to Become Kentucky Law

Kenny Colston — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:59:11 +0000

Governor Steve Beshear is allowing a bill regulating hemp in Kentucky to become law without his signature.

Supporters of Senate Bill 50 were concerned that the governor might veto the bill after continuing expressing concerns law enforcement had with the bill that it would allow increased marijuana growing.

But those concerns apparently weren't enough to veto the bill, as the governor says he will let it become law.

For First Time, Kentucky Supreme Court Has 3 Women Justices

Kenny Colston — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:38:47 +0000

In a historic appointment, Governor Steve Beshear has named Court of Appeals Judge Michelle M. Keller of Fort Mitchell to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

The appointment increases the number of women on the state's highest court to three. It is the first time the state Supreme Court has had three female justices on the bench.

Keller replaces Justice Wil Schroder, who resigned January 17 due to health reasons.

In a statement, Keller says her appointment is bittersweet.

Kentucky Legislative Leaders Call 2013 Session A Success

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:51:09 +0000

Kentucky legislative leaders say they're proud of the 2013, with legislators having accomplished pension reforms, cleaned up other bills and passed others dealing with hemp, special taxing district and military voting.

Many of the legislature's top priorities were passed in the 30-day session, although most of them were hatched as last minutes deals in the waning days of the session.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo said the 2013 session may have been his proudest in more than a decade.