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Lottery system will determine who gets 48 licenses for retailers and 10 for processors of medical cannabis in 11 Kentucky regions
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Gov. Andy Beshear gave an update on the medical cannabis licensing program Thursday after signing this year’s medical cannabis bill into law the day before. “We have worked hard to create a safe system that limits or eliminates abuse while still providing relief to that veteran suffering from PTSD…
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Public must speak out: HB 509 is still a threat to transparency
BY JON FLEISCHAKER and MICHAEL ABATE Repeatedly in recent weeks, Gov. Andy Beshear has come out in favor of HB 509, a bill that would dramatically weaken Kentucky’s Open Records laws. The governor has tried to assure citizens the bill would result in more transparency, not less. The governor is wrong; this bill will inevitably…
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A new state rock? Lawmakers approve bill for scientifically accurate state symbols
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT FRANKFORT — In a move to align state symbols with geological facts, Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill that redefines several key symbols to ensure scientific accuracy. House Bill 378 received its final nod March 27 in the Kentucky General Assembly. Historically, Kentucky has recognized coal as its state mineral. However, this designation…
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Kentucky Press Association: HB 509 would turn public records upside down
For nearly 50 years, Kentucky has been a national leader in allowing its citizens to access government records. That legacy is due in large part to the broad—and prescient—definition of “public records” that has appeared in Kentucky’s Open Records Act since its inception. In one fell swoop, HB 509 would eviscerate that legacy and leave…
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Legislative update: Week 13
BY SEN. PHILLIP WHEELER With the conclusion of week 13 of the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly, the session has now entered the veto recess period. Lawmakers worked late into the night to ensure critical legislation was sent to the governor ahead of the veto period. The House and Senate passed over 100 bills this week.…