A new version of a controversial bill to revise the state s open records law shot through a Senate committee in 20 minutes Wednesday, despite unanswered questions from one lawmaker about how it shields records of legislators from disclosure.
Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, voted no on House Bill 312 after Sen. Robby Mills, chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, cut off discussion, citing a tight schedule. That s really actually upsetting, that we re the legislature and we can t talk about legislative records, Southworth said.
Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, voted for the bill but also expressed reservations about the section involving records of lawmakers, commenting: I m a little bit worried about the legislative piece.
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featured Despite Sen. Storm s attempt to table bill, Senate passes bill to allow Corbin to annex into southern Laurel
By Jarrod Mills
Staff Writer Mar 5, 2021
Sen. Storm LRC Public Information
FRANKFORT, Ky. - After three days of being passed over, Senate Bill 274 (SB 274), which would allow the City of Corbin to annex into southern Laurel County passed the Kentucky Senate Friday by a vote of 20-12, with two senators passing and not voting. Â
Before a vote on the bill could be made, Senator Brandon Storm (R-London) motioned pursuant to Senate Rule 15, that the matter be laid on the clerkâs desk, or temporarily postponed. Storm cited the ongoing litigation between the cities of London and Corbin in Laurel County Circuit Court as a reason to postpone the matter.Â
Jeff Neal
This is an era where the public s trust of elected officials â no matter where they sit on the political spectrum â is at an all-time low.
So why do Kentucky lawmakers seem primed to weaken the Commonwealth s Open Records Law?
Lawmakers in the Kentucky House voted 71-27 last Friday to advance a bill that imposes a residency requirement on open records requests and gives lawmakers the ability to deny requests without the option of appeal. It now heads to the Senate for a committee hearing.
The four men who represent portions of Pulaski County â Republicans Shane Baker, David Meade, Ken Upchurch and Josh Branscum â all voted in favor of House Bill 312.