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Kentucky lawmakers have begun debating a series of bills in the2020 legislative session, including proposals addressing voter IDs,abortion,school security and immigration policies. This is also a budget-writing session. New Democratic Governor Andy Beshear delivered his budget address to the GOP-led legislature Tuesday.
Senate leaders started the session announcing that they will prioritize bills on voter ID and sanctuary city policies. Their voter ID bill proposed that government-issued photo IDs be required in order for people to vote. It has the support of Secretary of State Michael Adams, who claimed that there are thousands of ineligible people on the state’s voter rolls. Senator Morgan McGarvey contends the proposal could disenfranchise many voters, and lawmakers have since eased photo ID requirements in the bill. The proposed immigration bill would bar cities, public agencies and universities from enacting "sanctuary" policies that could obstruct federal immigration officials. Bill sponsor Senator Danny Carroll says the proposal would keep communities safe, though the ACLU of Kentucky’s Kate Miller said the bill raises questions around enforcement and deportation.
As these and other bills move forward, Governor Andy Beshear’s Tuesday night budget address outlined his funding proposals for education, health care and other areas. This week on In Conversation, we review what has happened in the legislative session so far and look at what may be ahead. Our guests include:
- Kentucky Senate Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey
- Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence President & CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey
- Kentucky Voices for Health Board Chairperson Dr. Sheila Schuster
- Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Ryland Barton
Listen to In Conversation live on 89.3 WFPL Friday at 11 a.m. or follow along with our live tweets at@WFPLnews. Call with your questions or comments at 502-814-TALK or tweet us with the hashtag#WFPLconversation. We’re also onFacebook.
