redistricting

Beshear Wants to Call Fall Special Session on Redistricting

Kentucky Public Radio's Dan Conti — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:30:49 +0000

It appears likely that Governor Beshear will call a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly to redraw legislative districts for the House and Senate. The governor says details are still being worked out.

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.

Kentucky House Leaders Still Pushing Redistricting

Kenny Colston — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Kentucky's legislative leaders have hope they can finish redistricting before the current session ends later this month.

New legislative districts were drafted and passed last year to reflect the 2010 Census. A judge threw them out, however, saying lawmakers did not properly divide up the state.

The House has already passed a new map of its districts, but the Senate has shown no interest in it.

Speaker Greg Stumbo says he wants the map approved so House lawmakers can know their new districts and make decisions on whether to run for re-election.

House Committee Passes Redistricting Maps After Long Wait

Kenny Colston — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:03:44 +0000

The House State Government committee has advanced a new redistricting map to the House floor after weeks of closed door debate.

Last year's state House and Senate districts were ruled unconstitutional by the Kentucky Supreme Court after House GOP members challenged them in court. The new House districts would create seven new districts all across Kentucky, where no current lawmakers reside.

Those districts are:

Despite Reservations Elsewhere, Kentucky House Moves Forward With Redistricting

Kenny Colston — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Kentucky House leaders are moving ahead with addressing redistricting this session—despite hesitation from the Senate and pleas from the governor.

The regional caucuses are still working on their areas when it comes to redistricting, House Speaker Greg Stumbo said.

But that the main hold up was in eastern Kentucky, where there are large population losses. Despite those issues, Stumbo said his Democratic caucus has voted in favor of finishing redistricting this session.

Kentucky Legislative Leaders Undecided On Whether to Delay Redistricting

Kenny Colston — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:17:38 +0000

Kentucky legislative leaders say they haven't responded yet to Gov. Steve Beshear’s request to delay General Assembly redistricting in the 2013 session.

Senate President Robert Stivers says his leadership team has not yet decided on a response and that many in his chamber are conflicted on when to address redistricting.

“And we all have varying opinions on what needs to be done and when it needs to be done and one thing I don’t think we need to do is a special session,” he says.

Governor Beshear Wants to Delay Redistricting, But Not Everyone Agrees

Kenny Colston and Rae Hodge — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:34:04 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear is urging legislative leaders to delay General Assembly redistricting.

In a letter to House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Senate President Robert Stivers, the governor says he’d like them to hold off redistricting in the 2013 legislative session and instead take up other important issues, such as pension and tax reforms.

Beshear is opening the door to handling redistricting in a special session instead, because the issue tends to cause hard feelings after lawmakers see their districts changing.

KentuckyTo Pay $19K In Redistricting Legal Fees

Brenna Angel, Kentucky Public Radio — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:46:34 +0000

The Kentucky General Assembly will use $19,000 of public money to pay for legal fees stemming from state redistricting.

Legislative Leaders Will Attempt Payment for Redistricting Defense Again

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Legislative leaders are going to take another crack at approving payments to lawyers who fought to defend last year’s redistricting maps.

The Legislative Research Commission hired the attorneys earlier this year to fend off challenges to new district maps. The attorneys were unsuccessful.

At the last scheduled LRC meeting, absences allowed minority leaders to block approval of payment to the attorneys.

So a new meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, and officials hope to reverse the decision.