The state Senate approved a constitutional amendment Monday to hold the election of governor and other constitutional officials in even-numbered years every four years, beginning in 2016. The vote on Senate Bill 48 was 25-12, mostly along party lines. Twenty-three votes are needed in the Senate to pass a constitutional amendment.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, said his bill would save the state $1.4 million and increase voter participation in elections for governor by having them the same years as elections for president. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, has said he has not heard any complaints about Kentucky’s election cycles.
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear was elected to a second four-year term in 2011 and would serve an extra year under the proposal. Panel OKs bill to close amusement ride loophole
Kentucky is coming closer to closing a loophole that allows amusement ride operators to avoid paying fines for safety violations.
The House Committee on Agriculture and Small Business has approved a bill that requires operators to pay fines regardless of a change in their business’s name or ownership. Operators have been able to dodge fines after transferring ownership or renaming themselves, according to Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, the bill’s sponsor. McGarvey told The Associated Press his bill stems from a state investigation into an amusement ride operator. The senator declined to comment further because the investigation is ongoing.
Senate Bill 103 was approved on a 21-0 vote Monday. It now proceeds to the full House for consideration. The Senate has approved the measure. staff, wire reports
