Will Groves
Contributing Writer
[email protected]
Kentucky Gov. Beshear Vetoes Over 20 Bills in the 2022 Legislative Session
Bills vetoed include House Bill 3, an abortion ban of at or after to 15 weeks; Senate Bill 83, a ban on transgender girls playing in girls’ sports; and Senate Bill 167, which would put a locally elected county judge-executive in charge of a county’s public library. While the 2022 Legislative Session is scheduled to end on April 14, the Republican supermajority is expected to override most of Gov. Beshear’s vetoes. Any bills passed on the last two days, April 13 and14, forfeit the chance to override Gov. Beshear’s veto.
President Biden Extends the Pause on Student Loans
This pause of loan payments is extended until August 31, 2022. This action is a step toward President Biden’s campaign promise to cancel $10,000 from every American’s student loans.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed to the Supreme Court
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court this past Thursday, April 5, by a vote of 53-47. Judge Jackson received full support from the Senate Democrats as well as the support of three Republican Senators: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine.
House Bill 63 Requiring Student Resource Officers in Kentucky Schools Signed by Gov. Beshear
This law requires all school districts in Kentucky to have a Student Resource Officer (RSO) and report to the state if they are unable to afford it. This is meant to give the state an idea of the funding needed for every school. Critics of this law claim that the money would be better spent elsewhere like mental health counselors and therapists.
Name, Image and Likeness Bill Passed in Kentucky
Senate Bill 6, or the Name, Image and Likeness bill, allows all student-athletes in Kentucky to receive financial compensation for the usage of their name, image or likeness in marketing for the school. Kentucky was the first state to adopt this law through executive order, and this bill codifies Gov. Beshear’s Executive Order 2021-418 into law.
