The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Kentucky

Attorneys General Seek Warning Label Cautioning Pregnant Women Against Using Pain Pills

State attorneys general are hoping to protect the littlest victims of prescription drug abuse.

Kentucky Enacts Outcomes-Driven Home Visiting Policy

On April 4, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed into law a measure that sets up one of the strongest home visiting systems in the country by building on the strength of Kentucky’s flagship home visiting program for new and expectant parents, the Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) Program.

Public Attitudes on Pension Reform in Kentucky

Recent polling indicates that Kentucky voters favor moving to a new retirement system for future public employees. Large majorities favor specific reform proposals, including the core provisions that would comprise a new retirement system.

Kentucky Governor Calls for Public Smoking Ban

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has called for a ban on smoking in certain public places, an effort to improve the state’s dismal public health record and to cut down on health care costs.

Kentucky State of the Commonwealth Address 2013

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Feb. 6 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Steve Beshear's (D) 2013 State of the Commonwealth Address:

Seniors Are New Target for Tax Increases

Over the years, states have carved out ever more generous tax breaks for the elderly. Now, Kentucky and a few other states are beginning to question whether these policies cost too much.

Public Safety in Kentucky

Public safety in Kentucky.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Kentucky

How well is Kentucky protecting kids from tooth decay?

States Nervous About New Common Core School Standards

Concerns about local control have make implementation of the national education standards controversial in some states.

Prescription Databases Weigh Public Health Against Patient Privacy

Prescription drug monitoring programs are a popular tool for states looking to combat prescription abuse, but not all databases are used the same way.

State Legislators on Sentencing and Corrections Reforms

Six state legislative leaders reflect on how they successfully enacted comprehensive sentencing and corrections reforms using a bipartisan, interbranch working group and focusing on data and research to craft policies that met their unique challenges.

To Raise Revenue, Raise Tobacco Taxes, Kentucky Commission Says

Kentucky’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform recommended the state increase its cigarette tax from 60 cents to $1 per pack, along with a proportional hike on other forms of tobacco.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Kentucky

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Next Elections: Races for Legislative Leadership

For aspiring legislative leaders, the elections aren’t over yet. Even as the final counts from last week’s votes are still being tallied, lawmakers who hope to be house speakers or senate presidents are courting their colleagues.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Kentucky

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Five of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Kentucky and hold 28 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Kentucky may be paying.

Best of #StateReads: Kentucky Judges Review Child-Abuse List

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Kentucky's Pension Challenges

Pension problems, such as those in Kentucky, are rooted in simple math, rather than in political ideology.

Can Digital Recordings Save Money for Courts?

Faced with crippling budget shortfalls, state courts are replacing in-person stenographers with digital recording systems. But do they really save money?

Best of #StateReads: On Further Review, Georgia Dropout Rate Doubles

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Nine States Where Lenders Take Your Paycheck

Payday loans — small, short term loans secured against a customer’s next paycheck — are highly controversial. A new study from Pew Charitable Trusts explains that opponents believe the practice “preys” on people who, because of the high interest rates

Best of #StateReads: Illinois Fails to Investigate Abuse and Neglect in Deaths of Disabled

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Kentucky Debating a Tax Overhaul — Again

For at least a decade, Kentucky has been studying how to adjust its tax system. Governor Steve Beshear hopes the state is finally ready to act.

Medicaid Financing of Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs

Various funding streams—federal, state, local, and private—support home visiting programs. Recently, in light of Medicaid's ability to reach so many low-income and at-risk families, interest has been growing in its potential to finance home visiting services for eligible mothers and children.

Widening Gap Update: Kentucky

Kentucky failed to pay its full annualpension contribution from 2005 to 2010. Its pension system was 54 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $17 billion funding gap.

Time Served in Kentucky

The average offender in Kentucky released in 2005 served 1.7 years in custody, 12% more than the average offender released in 1990.

Drug Database Dilemma

No one disputes the need for more information about prescription drug abuse. But who should have access to the information is a divisive issue.

Joining HANDS for a Comprehensive System of Care

The Pew Home Visiting Campaign Promising Practices Series highlights state initiatives that can serve as a model for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of state home visiting investments and expanding the availability of these critical services to more high-risk families.

States Scrutinize For-Profit Colleges

Rhode Island is considering whether to approve a for-profit osteopathic medical school, as Kentucky leads 22 other states in investigating the for-profit education industry.

Home Visits: A Powerful Weapon Against Child Abuse

Every new mother has so many questions: Is my baby growing well? Is she reaching her developmental milestones? Why does she cry so much and what can I do about it? To get answers, moms can turn to one other for advice or save up their questions for the next pediatrician visit, which could be months away.

Precincts With One Voter?

Kentucky’s redrawn House and Senate districts are causing some confusion in Warren County, according to the Daily News.

States Struggle with Prescription Drug Abuse

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Legislators are looking for ways to deal with a problem that keeps getting worse. Physicians in some states are starting to work with them.

Kentucky State of the Commonwealth Address 2012

FRANKFORT, Kentucky - Jan. 4 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Steven L. Beshear's (D) 2012 state of the commonwealth address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of the Kentucky General Assembly, Lt. Governor Abramson, Constitutional officers, honorable members of the Court

Governors Preview Their 2012 Priorities

TODAY'S TAKE: From a constitutional amendment to expand gambling in Kentucky to creation of a health insurance exchange in Idaho, some governors are not waiting until 2012 to declare their agendas.

At Inauguration, Kentucky Governor Puts Gambling on Agenda

TODAY'S TAKE: Newly reelected Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear was sworn in for a second term Tuesday (December 13), using the occasion to call for a constitutional amendment to expand gambling.

Election Websites: Kentucky

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Infographic: Southern Strength

Republican dominance in the South started with presidential elections and only later came to statehouses.

Health Care Law is Bigger Challenge for Some States

TODAY'S TAKE: Eight states will face the greatest difficulties in handling the influx of new Medicaid patients expected after the federal Affordable Care Act goes into full effect in 2014, a new study says.

2011 Kentucky Reforms Cut Recidivism, Costs

Public safety reforms passed in 2011 will save the state $422 million over 10 years.

Alternatives to Incarceration Prevail in Some States

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Kentucky, Ohio and Oklahoma all approved bipartisan legislation to address overcrowding in their prison systems this year. But in California - the state with a crowding problem so bad it was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court- Democrats and Republicans could not agree on what to do.

Beshear to Face Williams for Kentucky Governorship

TODAY'S TAKE: Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear now knows his opponent in November's gubernatorial election: Senate President David Williams won a closer-than-expected Republican primary on Tuesday (May 17).

Measuring Transportation Investments: Kentucky

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: Kentucky

Kentucky meets half of the eight benchmarks aimed at addressing children’s dental health needs. While the state passed the threshold for providing dental services to Medicaid enrollees, the rates paid to dentists for providing these services slipped below the national average.

Kentucky Legislative Session Ends, Only to Restart

TODAY'S TAKE: Kentucky lawmakers adjourned their 2011 regular session on Wednesday (March 9) without addressing a shortfall in the Medicaid budget. Governor Steve Beshear immediately ordered them back, with harsh words for the Senate president, who is running for governor himself.

Spike in Prescription Drug Deaths Roils Kentucky

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Prescription drug abuse becomes deadlier than car crashes in Kentucky … New Mexico toughens its stance toward immigrants … A South Dakota lawmaker proposes an individual mandate to purchase guns, and other public safety news.

Even in this Economy, States Struggle to Recruit IT Personnel

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Qualified IT staff remain difficult for states to recruit … Legislators eye state websites for ad revenue … A defined contribution plan may raise pension costs in Kentucky, and other government management news.

Kentucky State of the Commonwealth Address 2011

FRANKFORT, Kentucky - Feb. 1. - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Steven L. Beshear's (D) 2011 state of the commonwealth address: Click here to hear the governor's address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of the Kentucky General Assembly, Lt. Governor Mongiardo, Constitutional officers

New Year Brings Slew of New State Laws

New laws for 2011 include further state bans on the practice of texting while driving.

Did Race to the Top Help or Hurt the Push for a Common Curriculum?

States were working on a common set of education standards before the Obama administration decided to make adoption of them part of Race to the Top. The prospect of winning federal money motivated some states to pass the standards, but the administration's blessing may have turned others away.

States Aim to Cut Energy Bills

The federal economic stimulus law gave states $3.2 billion to spend on energy efficiency. States are finding creative ways to leverage those dollars to retrofit universities, hospitals, schools and prisons for energy savings.

States Limit Sweeping Tax Hikes — So Far

TODAY'S TAKE: While much of the nation may be focusing today (May 18) on key U.S. Senate primaries in Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, a special statewide election in Arizona could gauge voters' temperature on the question of whether or not to raise taxes. Arizona voters will decide whether to endorse Republican Governor Jan Brewer's proposal to raise the state sales tax by a penny to 6.6 percent.