Government

Kentucky’s lawmakers were in veto recess this week, where the Governor looks over proposed legislation and signs or vetos. Kentucky Public Radio’s Capitol Bureau Chief Kenny Colston speaks with Rick Howlett about what happens during the recess week and what’s ahead for the state budget.

President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign opens its first Kentucky office tomorrow in Louisville with an open house. Spokesman Frank Benenati says the president is serious about competing in all fifty states.

"As we did in 2008 we're going to be playing in all 50 states. And we're in the business of expanding the electorate. From Kentucky to New York to Arizona and everywhere else we're going to be reaching out to folks telling the story of the president's successes and contrasting that with what the Republicans would like to do."

Gov. Steve Beshear has joined a bipartisan group of state leaders to push for passage of a bill to curb prescription drug abuse. Lawmakers return to Frankfort next Thursday for the final day of the legislative session. Beshear said that gives lawmakers ample time to pass the bill. The legislation would put the attorney general's office in charge of the state's prescription monitoring system, known as KASPER, that can identify doctors who over prescribe painkillers.

A proposal that would allow school board members in Tennessee to participate in meetings remotely is headed to Governor Bill Haslam for his consideration.  The measure was sent to Governor Haslam Thursday after the Senate agreed to minor changes made by the House.  The legislation would allow school board members to participate in a meeting electronically up to twice a year if they were out of the country for work, on military service or attending to a family emergency.  Sponsors say the bill is necessary because some school boards already allow remote attendance and proxy voting without an

Following this year’s redistricting process in Tennessee, at least four former state lawmakers are trying to regain their seats in the legislature, while eight Democratic incumbents will be vying for four seats.  Former Democratic Representatives Mark Maddox and Jim Hackworth will run for the seats they lost to Republicans in 2010. Also looking to return are Republican Susan Lynn who gave up her House seat for an unsuccessful Senate bid, and Mike Williams, who lost his Senate re-election bid in 2008.