State Senator John Schickel

The Kentucky Senate will consider a lengthy criminal justice reform bill after a Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure without testimony and little debate.  

The measure resulting from months of study focuses on ways to move more inmates into productive roles in society and save corrections dollars.  Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Whitney Westerfield said the legislation will improve public safety. “I think it will hold offenders accountable,”  Westerfeld said. “I think it will reduce recidivism and reduce future crime.”  

The Kentucky Senate has voted to make all trafficking in heroin or Fentanyl Class C felonies. Proponents hope the change would result in fewer overdose deaths.

A bill seeking to make many changes to Kentucky’s alcohol laws appears to be moving toward final passage.

The omnibus alcohol measure allows for increased production by small farm wineries and microbreweries, and aims to ease certain restrictions on the bourbon industry.

Omnibus legislation related to alcoholic beverages is headed to the full Kentucky Senate.

A bill aimed at preventing a proposal by the United Nations to regulate environmental issues has cleared a Senate committee.

Senate Bill 31, filed by Northern Kentucky Sen. John Schikel seeks to prevent the state from adopting any environmental provisions set forth by a U.N. emissions-reduction plan known as “Agenda 21.”

A bill that would permit monkeys to be used as service companions for paralyzed Kentuckians has been filed in the state Senate, and is drawing criticism from animal rights groups. 

At first blush, state Senator John Schikel’s (R-11) bill sounds like fodder for "The Daily Show." It allows primates to be service companions in private residences.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on immigration has officials in many states mulling over its impact. The matter was the topic of discussion this week on KET’s Kentucky Tonight.