Kentucky News Now – April 28th 2016

BEVIN-VETOES

Bevin vetoes include driver's licenses, preschool program

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has vetoed all or parts of seven bills passed on the last day of the legislative session.

Bevin's vetoes mean Kentucky will not have a new driver's license that complies with federal security standards. Bevin had said he supported the new driver's license but said he changed his mind after noticing what he called "tremendous opposition" to the bill.

His vetoes mean some Kentucky high school graduates will not have free community college tuition beginning in the fall. Instead, the program will start in 2017.

And Bevin's vetoes mean some parents won't be able to send their children to public preschool programs. The budget bill included language that expanded the program's eligibility requirements. But Bevin vetoed it, saying the state could not afford to pay for it.

HORSE RACING COMMISSION

Bevin revamps Kentucky Horse Racing Commission

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Matt Bevin has revamped the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission with 11 new members that include Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day and the son of former Gov. Brereton Jones.

The only member of the old board who was reappointed Wednesday was David Richardson, a horse industry veteran.

Among former members who were removed before their terms expired was Tom Conway, the father of Jack Conway, who lost to Bevin in last year's gubernatorial election.

In his executive order revamping the commission, Bevin said Kentucky's global leadership in the horse industry could diminish without quick action to improve the industry.

Bevin's order says the new commission should follow a more "focused vision" to promote safety, improve fans' experience and attract tourism and investment in the industry.

Bevin's move comes 10 days before the Kentucky Derby.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-INVESTIGATION

Beshear says Bevin is abusing authority as governor

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear says his Republican successor is abusing his authority as governor.

Beshear has accused Republican Gov. Matt Bevin of threatening to cancel road projects in Democratic districts unless state representatives switched to the Republican party. He said Bevin has fired state employees simply for making political donations to Democrats. And he said Bevin threatened to refuse agency bond requests for colleges unless they agreed to his budget cuts.

Beshear did not offer specific examples.

Bevin was traveling in Europe on Wednesday. But Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto called Beshear's accusations "wild" and "baseless" and said they were "not corroborated by any facts whatsoever."

Last week, Bevin accused Beshear of breaking state ethics and procurement laws and announced he was hiring a private law firm to investigate.

CHELSEA CLINTON

Chelsea Clinton heads to Kentucky to open campaign office

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has plans to visit Kentucky this week.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Chelsea Clinton will visit Lexington to help open the Hillary for Kentucky Lexington office in her mother's Democratic presidential campaign.

The event is to start at 10:15 a.m. Friday at 1301 Winchester Road.

She is attending a private fundraiser later Friday at the Frankfort home of former Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen and her husband, Lynn Luallen.

Kentucky's primary election is May 17.

URBAN HEAT-GRANTS

3 schools get grants to help combat urban heat island

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer says three schools have been awarded grants for projects to help combat urban heat island.

Fischer said in a statement that the Knollenberg Foundation awarded a total of $10,000 to student groups at Ballard High School, Assumption High School and Farnsley Middle School after they participated in the Urban Heat Island Youth Summit, which was hosted by Brightside and the Partnership for a Green City in December.

The statement says Ballard received $5000 to paint part of the school's roof white and monitor temperature in classrooms to determine how much of an effect it has. Assumption received $3,000 to add a green wall demonstration project and plant trees. Farnsley received $2,000 to plant trees and compare temperatures in the shaded areas and the non-shaded areas.

VOTE-BUYING CHARGES

Kentucky Supreme Court hears arguments in Magoffin election

(Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Lawyers for Magoffin County's judge-executive have made their arguments to the Kentucky Supreme Court, with one of the attorneys saying there was no proof his client took part in election fraud.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports attorney Eldred E. "Bud" Adams Jr. argued Wednesday that a ruling that would cost Democratic Judge-Executive Charles "Doc" Hardin his office wasn't correct and should be overturned. Attorney Jason Nemes, who represents the local election board, acknowledged the board didn't strictly follow state law on every point. But Adams and Nemes said the board substantially complied with the law.

The arguments came in a case in which Republican challenger John Montgomery sued alleging Hardin took part in vote fraud and the board violated election rules. Montgomery's attorney, Gordon Long, said fraud and violations in the November 2014 election justified tossing out the results.

It could be several months before the Supreme Court rules.

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