Government

A legislative battle over abortions and ultrasounds has reached the Illinois House floor.  Abortion opponents want to require that women be given the option of seeing an ultrasound image of their fetus before undergoing an abortion. Unlike proposals in some other states, it would not force women to obtain an ultrasound.  Abortion-rights advocates are fighting the bill.

Lawmakers have given final approval to legislation that would make placement agents involved in financial investments for Kentucky's pension program subject to the state's ethics laws.  The legislation is an offshoot of a state audit that raised questions about the use of placement agents who advise the state about how to invest retirement funds for teachers and government workers.  The House voted 94-0 Thursday for final passage.  Democratic Rep.

The Charter County Government Commission have changed a plan for the proposed merger of Paducah and McCracken governments. Vice Chairman Tom Garrett says the changes reflect concerns residents voiced during public forums held earlier in the year. The changes clarify the role of a transitional committee appointed to speed the merger if the plan passes and moves elections for new officials from 2013 to 2014 to avoid a special election. The changes also include an “out” clause allowing voters to revert to the current government. Tom Garrett…

An effort by Governor Steve Beshear to expand preschool services in the commonwealth did not make it into the final state budget.

Beshear put a $15 million appropriation for preschool in his budget proposal. The House cut that figure in half and funded other education programs with what was left. The Senate struck all the money, saying it wouldn't be right to expand some programs while slashing others. And after days of budget talks, the Senate won the argument.