Kentucky Politics & News
The Daily Signal covers Kentucky politics with reporting on state leadership, energy policy, economic development, and conservative governance in the Bluegrass State.
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- News
Meet the New Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. Here Are 15 Facts About Jenean Hampton
Elections were held around the country Tuesday, and results in Kentucky made history. Matt Bevin, the Republican candidate for Kentucky governor, and running mate Jenean Hampton won by a margin of 53 percent to 44 percent over Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, a Democrat, according to CNN. Conway had been at the top in polls leading up to the…Leah Jessen -
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Another Obamacare Collapse: Kentucky Health Co-Op Goes Under
In a new blow to Obamacare, the Kentucky Health Cooperative has decided not to offer health insurance plans for 2016. The Kentucky co-op (Consumer Oriented and Operated Plan), a nonprofit health insurer created with federal taxpayer funds under Obamacare, announced its fold on Friday. “It is with sadness that we announce this decision,” said Kentucky Health Cooperative…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
Hollywood’s Idea of Tolerance: Mocking Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis at the Emmys
There’s nothing funnier than laughing at a woman trying to stay true to her beliefs. That appears to be the understanding of Emmy host Andy Samberg, who, during his opening monologue, decided to single out Kim Davis, the Democrat Kentucky clerk who was jailed for her refusal to issue same-sex marriage licenses. (Warning: The quote…Katrina Trinko -
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What’s Next for Freed Kentucky Clerk? Her Lawyer Speaks Out
The lawyer for Kim Davis blames Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear for his client’s protracted religious liberty fight that has played out nationally over the last two months. “He is forcing same-sex marriage onto Kim Davis and the other clerks despite their religious convictions and conscience,” Mat Staver tells The Daily Signal. “That is unconscionable and…David Brody -
- Opinion
Watch Ryan T. Anderson Talk About Release of Kentucky Clerk Jailed Over Marriage Licenses
In an interview with CNN Tuesday night, The Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson discussed the relationship between the religious liberty rights of Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who doesn’t want to issue same-sex marriage licenses, and the gay and lesbian couples in her area of Kentucky who wish to get married. >>>For more on this,…Daily Signal Staff -
- Opinion
Ryan Anderson Talks Kentucky Clerk Case, Possible Compromises
Ryan Anderson, William E. Simon senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, appeared on CNN today to talk about the case of Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk currently jailed over her refusal to issue same-sex marriage licenses. In his interview, Anderson discussed ways that both same-sex marriages could go forward and Davis’ religious freedom concerns could…Daily Signal Staff -
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23 Tweets on the Kentucky Clerk Jailed Over Gay Marriage Licenses
On Thursday, a Kentucky county clerk at the center of a national controversy was sent to jail. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that U.S. District Judge David Bunning found Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis in contempt of court and sent her to jail for defying his order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. BREAKING: Judge…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Kentucky Clerk Not Issuing Gay Marriage Licenses Causes Uproar. North Carolina Shows Better Way.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling redefining marriage throughout the country, there’s an open question as to what happens to people who believe marriage is the union of husband and wife. Yesterday the Supreme Court declined to review a lower court’s ruling requiring the county clerk of Rowan County, Ky., to issue marriage…Ryan T. Anderson -
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Kentucky Clerk Allowed to Not Issue Gay Marriage Licenses as Legal Battle Continues
A Kentucky judge has granted a temporary stay to a county clerk so that she doesn’t have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples while her case is appealed. The Daily Signal’s Ken McIntyre recently reported that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has objected to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the Supreme Court’s…Kate Scanlon -
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Kentucky Lawmakers Move to Protect County Clerks, Clergy Opposed to Gay Marriage
Three Kentucky legislators have filed bills to protect county clerks or religious leaders who say their faith does not allow them to help same-sex couples get married. “I won’t say people have fear, but there certainly is heightened concern,” @addiawuchner says. One bill, announced Wednesday, would shield county clerks from liability if they refuse, citing…Ken McIntyre -
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Kentucky Court Says Printing Business Has Right to Deny Service for Religious Reasons
A Kentucky court ruled on Monday that a Lexington printing business does not have to print messages that are in conflict with its religious beliefs. The decision runs contrary to recent high profile rulings, including ones against Oregon bakers and a Washington florist who were punished for refusing to serve same-sex weddings. >>> Bakers Facing $135K…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
How Kentucky Counties Are Making the Bluegrass State a Right-to-Work State
The national spotlight has focused on Wisconsin’s push to become the nation’s 25th right-to-work state. Reporters have paid much less attention to an equally important story in Kentucky: the rapid expansion of local right-to-work laws. Kentucky—like many states—delegates its localities “home rule” powers. Counties can regulate extensively so long as they do not contravene state…James Sherk -
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Kentucky County Sees Instant Impact of Right-to-Work Law
Six weeks ago, a Kentucky county passed a right-to-work ordinance in hopes of attracting new businesses. It already appears to be working. Warren County, Ky., adopted the countywide right-to-work ordinance on Dec. 19, after it became clear the state wasn’t going to move in that direction. Right-to-work laws prevent unions from having workers fired for…Ben Smith -
- Opinion
In One Kentucky County, Workers Might Soon Enjoy More Freedom
The momentum for right-to-work measures at the local level across the country might be gaining steam. Kentucky’s Warren County, which includes the city of Bowling Green, just passed a local right-to-work ordinance. A 5–1 bipartisan majority of the county legislature voted to make union dues voluntary for private-sector workers. The measure comes up for a second and final reading…James Sherk -
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Local Leaders Try New Tactic to Bring Right-to-Work Laws to Kentucky
Kentucky is not a right-to-work state, but one of its counties soon may be. Local officials in Warren County are to vote Friday on a measure that would remove the requirement that workers in some jobs must join a union and pay union dues as a condition of employment. A first reading of the measure…Kevin Mooney -
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Kentucky Senate Candidates Want You to Know They Care
Kentucky’s U.S. Senate candidates have stopped the mudslinging–for now–and are tugging on the Bluegrass State’s heartstrings with ads aimed to show Kentuckians they care. Incumbent Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, released an ad yesterday telling the story of Noelle Hunter, a Morehead, Ky., woman whose daughter, Muna, was abducted and taken to Mali in…Melissa Quinn