Government

After spending 65 days in Frankfort, Kentucky lawmakers can once again point to strong new drug laws as their signature achievements.

The General Assembly passed bills cracking down on synthetic drugs, prescription abuse and meth production.

But many other areas, including education, are more of a mixed bag. Lawmakers didn't approve charter school legislation, but they did pass an alternative bill that creates charter-like districts of innovation. And while separate bills raising the dropout age to 18 failed, legislation on career and technical education curriculum passed.

River Pilot Michael Collins says he tried to steer the Delta Mariner through an alternate span of the Eggners Ferry Bridge with confidence he would clear the road deck prior to the accident.

Testimony provided during the Coast Guard hearings on the crash that collapsed a portion of the Eggners Ferry Bridge has provided some answers for those who's livelihood depend on the bridge traffic. Some information shocked Aurora restaurant owner Bertha Wilson who attended hearings earlier in the week:

 “I guess it’s just real disappointing to know there just wasn’t better facets in place to check these navigation lights and things like that, and I’m kind of focusing for that first day because that’s when I was there and hearing that. It’s hugely important like we know now.”

The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee approved a $4.5 billion transportation budget but not before inserting language that would restore nearly $50 million for road construction projects previously vetoed by Governor Steve Beshear. The spending measure now advances to the Senate floor for a planned vote today. Appropriations and Revenue Committee Chairman Bob Leeper cited a "fit of conscience" for his push to put the $50 million in road projects back into the transportation budget.

Illinois' U.S. Senators are backing federal legislation they say would bring consistency and fairness to how communities hit by natural disasters are chosen for federal relief. The Fairness Federal Disaster Declarations Act comes after Harrisburg and other southern Illinois communities were denied federal aid after being devastated by tornadoes on February 29th.