By Tony McVeigh, Kentucky Public RadioKentucky Gov. Steve Beshear’s only veto of the 2010 session isn’t sitting well with the two lawmakers primarily responsible for the vetoed legislation. Gov. Beshear uncapped his veto pen to block legislation giving lawmakers greater oversight of state government contracts. The vetoed measure was sponsored by Sen. Vernie McGaha, but its contents were essentially the same as a House bill offered by Rep. Brent Yonts. “He agreed that we would apply a committee substitute to his bill by deleting his bill in its entirety and inserting my bill into his bill number,” Yonts said Monday.He says this is the eighth time he has offered the bill and he’s irked by the governor’s veto. So is McGaha. Beshear says he acted after county attorneys complained the measure could interfere with child support collection and enforcement efforts. Yonts promises to try again next year.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.