Latest news with #HB495
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding fight brewing after Beshear says some new bills may not be implemented
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — By the time the last gavel fell in Frankfort, the 2025 General Assembly had passed more than 140 bills in its 30-day session, including a .5% income tax cut, lowering the age for a learner's permit to 15, and a new dedicated state film office. Twenty-eight of 29 of the governor's vetoes were overridden; a partial line-item veto on operations during the Capitol renovations was allowed to stand. But there could be a new battle brewing between the two branches of government. In a letter to lawmakers last week, Gov. Andy Beshear said he may not have the funding to execute at least 11 of the newly passed laws: four bills that he signed, five that had vetoes overridden, and two that became law without the governor's signature. Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation's largest public utility, appoints a new CEO Pamela Stevenson, the top Democrat in the Kentucky House, launches campaign for the US Senate Funding fight brewing after Beshear says some new bills may not be implemented 'What you see is the governor here is pushing back without the power of the purse, without, you know, the ability to get laws changed when his veto is overridden so much that they have got to come up with creative ways to figure out the best way to approach these issues,' FOX 56 News Political Analyst Jonathan Miller said. Miller said underlying this is a longtime dispute between the executive and legislative branches, even prior to their current political lean, on unfunded mandates: a legislative decree without money attached. 'Most of the time what will happen is the executive will find money squirreled away in a rainy day fund or elsewhere in an agency in funds that are not dedicated to one source, and they pay for those services,' Miller explained, but said there have been cases in 'exceptional times' that the executive branch has had to come back to the legislature to ask for more funding. However, some of the bills listed in Beshear's letter are related to recent social issues that were heavily debated at the end of the session, like HB 495. That bill ended both Beshear's executive order banning conversion therapy and Medicaid coverage for transgender-related healthcare. In the letter, the Beshear administration argued that the bill could cost the Medicaid program $6.3 to $9.8 million for increased behavioral and mental health services. This Kentucky Airbnb is among the most wishlisted in the world Study shows which counties in Kentucky have the most excessive drinkers Kentucky among top 10 states Americans want to move to: research 'I think it's an interesting new way of framing the argument the governor has come up with, and I'm confident the legislature finds great objection with it, and I imagine we'll be seeing some court action taken in the next several months,' Miller said. 'So, Governor, when we don't line item an issue or point to an appropriation, it's because we feel you have adequate funding in your budget to follow the law,' Rep. David Meade (R-Stanford) said on the House floor last Thursday when the letter was sent. In Meade's floor speech, he argued that new programs have been implemented by the executive branch before without direct funding. In the letter, the Beshear administration cites a 2005 state supreme court case, Fletcher v. Commonwealth, that limits implementing policy without money attached. The administration also stated that the costs were communicated and requested an appropriation during the final two days of the session. Pamela Stevenson, the top Democrat in the Kentucky House, launches campaign for the US Senate Funding fight brewing after Beshear says some new bills may not be implemented Trump highlights Friedman, Grenell as possible UN ambassadors to replace Stefanik 'Don't worry, Governor, because next year when we do the budget, we are going to make it abundantly clear what you can and cannot spend money on,' Meade said, suggesting that specific, restrictive line-item spending language will be considered more than in years' past. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear's conversion therapy, transgender Medicaid coverage veto overturned
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — The General Assembly has overturned the governor's veto on House Bill 495. 'The Republican-led legislature just overrode my veto on House Bill 495, which will allow conversion therapy in Kentucky,' Gov. Andy Beshear announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, on the afternoon of March 27. Gov. Beshear vetoes bill aimed at overturning conversion therapy ban and Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care Beshear banned conversion therapy in the Commonwealth with a September 2024 executive order. House Bill 495 saw a last-minute addition before the veto recess, moving forward with not only repealing a conversion therapy ban but also impacting transgender people on Medicaid. Medicaid coverage for cross-sex hormones or gender reassignment surgery will now be banned. The Family Foundation policy director, Nick Spencer, supports the bill. He told FOX 56 he believes the governor's executive order banning conversion therapy in the Commonwealth limits free speech, and people should be able to choose the counseling that fits them. Gov. Beshear veto against tolls on new I-69 bridge overriden Here's how to watch the Wildcats play against Tennessee on a giant screen for free Lexington Legends announce partnership with Kentucky bourbon, exclusive giveaway 'Win for free speech, religious liberty, and for fiscal and moral sanity! Gov. Beshear's veto on HB 495 has been overridden by both chambers. KY counselors and pastors can once again share the truth about God's design for gender and sexuality. And our tax dollars will no longer pay for gender mutilation via Medicaid,' The Family Foundation wrote on X Thursday afternoon. The Fairness Campaign called the override devastating. 'It's a sad day in Kentucky. Two anti-LGBTQ bills will become law with devastating consequences for our community. HB495 opens the door to 'conversion torture' and denies Medicaid coverage for transgender healthcare. Likewise, SB2 denies healthcare to transgender inmates. Both are cruel and have no place in our Commonwealth,' Fairness Campaign Executive Director Chris Hartman said. Gov. Beshear vetoes 9 bills on education, healthcare, and more on Wednesday Senate Bill 2 was passed into law without the governor's signature. Beshear said that he doesn't believe that the state should pay for gender reassignment surgeries for convicted felons 'as this would mean those in prison would receive better access to medical care than a law-abiding citizen.' Beshear shared a video explaining the reported dangers the bill poses. 'Listen to the experts and survivors who know how dangerous this torture is. These are the voices they didn't want you to hear. I hope you'll listen,' he said. Click here to view the governor's response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Conversion therapy protected in Kentucky as legislature overrides Beshear veto
Supporters of LGBTQ+ rights draped banners in the Kentucky Capitol on the day Republicans finalized enactment a new law protecting conversion therapy and barring Medicaid from paying for transgender care. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) FRANKFORT — Kentucky's Republican-controlled legislature voted largely along party lines to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill to cancel his restrictions on conversion therapy and prohibit Medicaid from covering transgender-affirming medical care. That means House Bill 495 will become law. It has an emergency clause, meaning that will happen immediately. In a statement after both chambers overrode the veto, Chris Hartman, the executive director of the Fairness Campaign, called it a 'a sad day in Kentucky.' 'HB 495 opens the door to 'conversion torture' and denies Medicaid coverage for transgender healthcare,' Hartman said. Conversion therapy is a discredited practice that attempts to alter gender expression and sexual attraction that diverges from heterosexual normativity 'with the specific aim to promote heterosexuality as a preferable outcome,' according to the The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.' In 2024, Beshear signed an executive order aimed at ending the practice on Kentucky minors. 'Conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science and causes significant long term damage to our kids, including increased rates of suicide, anxiety and depression,' he wrote in his veto message on HB 495. 'As leaders and policy makers, we should be in the business of protecting our citizens and kids from harm, not subjecting them to discredited methods that jeopardize their health, well being and safety.' Beshear's veto message did not mention the bill's ban on Medicaid covering gender-affirming medical care. Early Wednesday afternoon, the House voted to override the veto 78-20 along party lines. Democrats reiterated many of their previous objections, saying the bill was an 'overreach' and 'oppression.' 'I am here to stand in the gap between our trans friends, neighbors and constituents and the oppression that this body is inflicting on them,' said Rep. Lisa Willner, D-Louisville. 'This is going to be one of those times when we look back in history and say, 'was I on the right side of history?'' Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, appeared to invoke a Lady Gaga song when she said, 'you're born this way' to LGBTQ+ Kentuckians while asking her colleagues to let Beshear's veto stand. Marzian said she hopes lawmakers don't 'go after' another minority population next year 'to make us feel good about ourselves. I hope it's not the disabled or mentally ill that we decide are less than us,' she said. Rep. Joshua Watkins, D-Louisville, said he's heard from constituents who are 'scared and terrified' of the legislation. Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, said that no matter where anyone stands on conversion therapy, Beshear 'overreached' his powers by issuing an executive order on the matter. A few hours later, the Senate voted 31-6 to override the veto. Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, sided with Republicans in voting to go against Beshear. Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, said it is 'absolutely appalling that we can sit here over and over and over again and legislate against a small, small group of people in this country that, by the way, do exist and do have every right to exist.' 'We know that kids who were forced to go through conversion therapy are twice as likely to attempt suicide,' Berg said. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988. 'Why in the heck do we do this over and over and over again? Get over your hate,' Berg said. 'Let people live their lives the way they choose to.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kehoe signs SLMPD state takeover bill
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is once again under the control of a handpicked state board. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 495 late Tuesday morning at the state capitol. State Representative Brad Christ, R-St. Louis County, and State Senators Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles County, and Travis Fitzwater, R-Callaway County, were present at the signing. They co-sponsored the legislation. Earlier this month, the Missouri House overwhelmingly approved a Senate-amended bill to place the SLMPD under the authority of the state board, despite protestations from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy, and other city officials. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The bill establishes a six-member board to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Five of the members will be citizens appointed by the governor. The Mayor of St. Louis will have the sixth and final seat on the board. Mayor Jones released a statement shortly after the signing: 'From the very beginning, this bill has been a sham, and the Governor's signature represents nothing but disrespect for every Missouri voter who supported local control. The residents of the City of St. Louis are safer today because my administration has made difficult and bold decisions that have resulted in a historic reduction in crime. State takeover is not based in reality, and only shows that Governor Kehoe and the legislature are willing to throw out facts, reason, and the will of the people in order to give the safety of our city away to special interests.' The city police department was under state control from the American Civil War until 2012, when voters passed a ballot measure transferring control to local authorities. However, state officials, including Governor Kehoe, argued that the City of St. Louis would be in a better situation with the board running the police department. Both the St. Louis Police Officers Association and the Ethical Society of Police expressed support for the state takeover. Chief Tracy said his department will remain focused on public safety while adhering to the strictures of the new law. 'The brave men and women of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are fully committed to protecting and serving our community. Public safety remains our top priority,' Tracy said in a statement. 'We will work with Governor Mike Kehoe's Office and the Transition Director while maintaining the highest standards of excellence in policing and delivering quality service to our community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What bills has Beshear vetoed? Conversion therapy, DEI measures make the list
The 2025 Kentucky legislative session is its final stretch — with more than 100 bills sent to Gov. Andy Beshear for approval. The session entered a veto period on March 15, during which Beshear can sign bills into law, veto them or let them become law without his signature. Wednesday marks the last day for Beshear to make his decisions. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Thursday and Friday for the final two days of the session. The General Assembly is dominated by Republicans, and state legislators will likely override Beshear's vetoes — putting their bills into law with or without an OK from the Democratic governor. Here's are the bills Beshear has vetoed so far. In a social media post late Saturday, Beshear said he vetoed a measure that would nullify an executive order on conversion therapy that he issued last year. "Conversion therapy is torture, and that's why I signed an executive order banning it in Kentucky," Beshear said in the post on X, formerly Twitter. "Legislators seek to overturn those protections with HB 495, which I vetoed at the Fairness Dinner." House Bill 495 was amended just before it received final approval to also prohibit transgender Kentuckians from receiving gender-affirming care through Medicaid. The bill passed both chambers with widespread support from Republicans and strong opposition from Democrats. According to HB 495, sponsored by Republican Rep. David Hale, Medicaid funds can not be expended on: "Cross-sex hormones in amounts greater than would normally be produced endogenously in a healthy person of the same age and sex." "Gender reassignment surgery to alter or remove physical or anatomical characteristics or features that are typical for and characteristics of a person's biological sex." Last week, Beshear vetoed a measure that bans diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Kentucky public colleges and universities. He said in a social media post that the bill "isn't about love" but instead "is about hate." HB 4, sponsored by Republican Rep. Jennifer Decker, prohibits Kentucky colleges and universities from spending money on DEI programs. The measure also requires schools to eliminate all DEI offices and positions and prohibits them from requiring students or staff to attend DEI training sessions, among other things. The bill has some exceptions, including for Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX requirements. It defines DEI initiatives as policies, practices or procedures "designed or implemented to promote or provide differential treatment or benefits to individuals on the basis of religion, race, sex, color, or national origin." Beshear has defended DEI measures in the past and said Kentucky "should be embracing diversity, not banning it" when he announced his veto. House Bill 216, sponsored by Republican Rep. Myron Dossett, would let Department of Agriculture employees apply for and receive grants and loans run by the department through the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy's Agricultural Development Board or Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. In Beshear's veto message, he said the measure allows conduct that "always has been unethical and unlawful under the Executive Branch's Ethics Code." He cited two advisory opinions issued to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, where the Executive Branch Ethics Commission confirmed the state's laws prohibit executive branch employees from accepting grants from programs "run by the agency they work for." "As written, House Bill 216 would even allow employees who work directly on the grant and loan programs to select themselves," Beshear said. "This puts farmers who are not department employees at an unfair disadvantage when competing with department employees for grants and loans." Under Senate Bill 245, members who are reappointed to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission would not be able to serve unless they receive Senate confirmation. According to the bill's language, "a member whose reappointment is not confirmed by the Senate while it is in session shall vacate his or her seat upon the date of sine die adjournment of the session in which the confirmation was declined." SB 245 was sponsored by Republican Sen. Brandon Smith. Under current law, only new appointments from Beshear are subject to Senate confirmation. In his veto message, Beshear said the Senate has "refused to confirm seven members whom the sportsmen and sportswomen have nominated" the past four legislative sessions. He also pointed out the Senate still has to confirm the reappointment of the "first ever Black member of the commission." "The bill and the Senate's refusal to confirm creates a scenario where there could be multiple vacancies on the Commission at one time, while the part-time General Assembly is out of session (most of the year), threatening the Commission's ability to fill its quorum," Beshear said in his veto message. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@ or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky legislature: Beshear vetoes conversion therapy, DEI ban bills
