Kentucky News Now – March 25th 2014

KENTUCKY BUDGET

Senate passes its version of Ky. budget

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate has passed its version of a $20 billion, two-year state budget that differs from the House's plan on some key points.

The plan that passed the Senate on a 25-2 vote Monday significantly reduces the amount of bonded projects.

The proposed Senate version restores a 2.5 percent cut in operating funds for universities included in the House's budget.

But the Senate plan removes a number of bonded construction projects for universities.

The Senate version also removes a proposed $65 million bond for Rupp Arena's renovation and a new convention center in Lexington.

The Senate plan preserves putting more money into the state's main funding formula for kindergarten through 12th-grade classrooms.

House and Senate negotiators will try to iron out a final version of the budget in coming days.

SCHOOL SNOW DAYS

House, Senate far apart on school snow days bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State lawmakers have failed to agree on a bill that would relax the state's school attendance laws because of the unusual number of snowstorms this winter.

State law requires school districts to have at least 170 days and 1,062 hours of classroom instruction each school year. But some school districts have missed more than 30 days this year because of snowstorms, pushing the school year for some districts toward the end of June.

House and Senate negotiators could not agree Monday on when the school year should end. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said the bill is so important he would be willing to appoint new negotiators to try again. Lawmakers have eight legislative days left to reach a compromise.

XGR-LEGISLATURE FINAL WEEK

Bills bottleneck in legislature's final week

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — More than 250 bills are in limbo as the Kentucky state legislature enters the final week of the legislative session.

Twenty-two of the 824 bills filed this year have passed both the House and the Senate. Of those, eight have become law.

After Monday, state lawmakers will have eight legislative days to pass a $20 billion biennial budget, a $4.5 billion two-year road spending plan and a bill setting state revenues for the next two years that includes a gas tax increase in the House version.

Also pending are bills that would restore voting rights to some convicted felons, increase the penalties of high volume heroin dealers and stop lawmakers from boosting their pension benefits by taking a high-paying state job toward the end of their careers.

BLIND STUDENTS

State offers transition program for blind students

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The state is offering a program in Louisville next month to help blind or visually impaired high school students make the transition to life after high school.

The conference is set for April 14 and 15 and is free of charge and open to the public. Registration is required by April 7.

The Kentucky Office for the Blind is hosting the conference at the Louisville Marriott East to provide information on transition services for blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind high school students, family members, teachers, professionals in the field and employers.

Specialists in assistive technology and other topics will make presentations.

For more information or to register online, visit http://www.blind.ky.gov.

DERBY TROPHY

Derby trophy arriving at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — With Kentucky Derby 140 less than six weeks away, the solid gold trophy that the owner of the winning 3-year-old will receive is being delivered to Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The trophy is 22 inches tall with a 14-karat gold horse and rider atop it and horseshoe-shaped wreath handles. It sits on a jade base and weighs about 60 ounces.

Churchill Downs says the company that makes the trophy begins work on it the previous November. The process takes about 2,000 hours.

The track is unveiling the 2014 trophy for media on Tuesday.

The $2 million Kentucky Derby will be May 3.

FORMER DEPUTY CHARGED

Former E. Ky. deputy facing charges

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police say a former eastern Kentucky sheriff's deputy is facing charges involving drugs, sex and misconduct.

The police post in Ashland says Matthew Morrison was arrested on charges that stem from his time as a deputy with the Carter County Sheriff's Office.

A statement says police received a tip in February that Morrison allegedly didn't serve an arrest warrant in exchange for sexual favors. Police say an investigation into that tip led officers to determine other charges were warranted.

Morrison was arrested Friday on charges of sodomy, trafficking in a controlled substance and official misconduct. Police said he was terminated as a deputy before the investigation began.

Online jail records didn't indicate whether Morrison has an attorney.