Government

Kentucky lawmakers have one more legislative day in their calendar this year, but they likely won’t spend it overriding vetoed bills. Governor Steve Beshear spent most of yesterday signing bills into law. And outside of the almost mandatory line item vetoes every governor has in budget bills, Beshear says he doesn’t expect to use his veto pen. That means dozens of bills passed this session will go onto the books. This includes bills allowing new districts of innovation for local school districts, the elimination of confederate pensions and new restrictions on pseudoephedrine purchases.

Metropolis, Illinois officials are drafting a resolution to oppose the construction of a McCracken county rail-to-barge coal terminal. The proposed facility will be across the river from Metropolis' developed riverfront. Madisonville-based Southern Coal Handling purchased around 230 acres in western McCracken County in August to construct the facility. Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel says while the city is pro-coal and pro-industry, the proposed location directly across the river would be detrimental to the city’s economy.

Governor Steve Beshear has signed a plan to save employers from federal unemployment insurance tax hikes into law.

At his first ceremonial bill signing of the year, Beshear praised lawmakers and the business and labor communities for reaching a compromise.

House Bill 495 would allow Kentucky to borrow money from a state organization to repay interest on a more than nine hundred million dollar unemployment loan.

And while the bill will still raise taxes for employers in two years, it’s at a lesser rate. Beshear says that’s a fair answer to the problem.

The Paducah City Commission has approved a three year contract with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees local 1586. The union represents employees in the city’s engineering, public works and parks departments. If ratified by vote in by City Commissioners, the new contract would take effect July first. Both city and union officials site a cooperative spirit in coming to an agreement quickly.

Paducah City Commissioners discussed a prospective ordinance last night requiring training for anyone who serves alcoholic drinks at restaurants and bars in the city. The training focuses on spotting fake ID’s and recognizing heavily intoxicated patrons. Should the ordinance pass, existing wait staff would have 90 days to complete the training and new servers would have to complete the course within 60 days of their hiring date. Commissioners will vote on the ordinance in their next session.