House Speaker Greg Stumbo

Democrats, Health Groups Praise Beshear's Decision to Expand Medicaid

Kenny Colston — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:13:44 +0000

After months of deliberations, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has decided to expand Medicaid in Kentucky under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare—a move that's won praise from Democrats and health advocacy groups.

Stumbo Pens Letter to Beshear Asking for Special Session for Redistricting

Kenny Colston — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:10:44 +0000

House Speaker Greg Stumbo is encouraging Gov. Steve Beshear to soon call a General Assembly special session so that lawmakers can pass new state legislative redistricting maps and end a federal lawsuit.

Gov. Steve Beshear Vetoes Medicaid Prompt Pay Bill, Promises Changes to System

Kenny Colston — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:30:53 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed a bill sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would require prompt payment in the Medicaid managed care system.

The governor was expected to veto the bill, claiming it would cost the state too much money.

But in turn, Beshear says he will implement the spirit of the bill, including allowing the Department of Insurance to investigate late payment claims. Beshear also promised the administrative side of the managed care system would work better.

Kentucky Legislative Leaders Call 2013 Session A Success

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:51:09 +0000

Kentucky legislative leaders say they're proud of the 2013, with legislators having accomplished pension reforms, cleaned up other bills and passed others dealing with hemp, special taxing district and military voting.

Many of the legislature's top priorities were passed in the 30-day session, although most of them were hatched as last minutes deals in the waning days of the session.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo said the 2013 session may have been his proudest in more than a decade.

Kentucky General Assembly Passes Pension Bills, Avert Special Session

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:14:00 +0000

FRANKFORT — Kentucky's legislative leaders have passed two bills to shore up the state's underfunded pension systems, effectively staving off a special session on the issue.

The new plan would reduce a personal tax credit of $20 to $10, generating about $33 million in revenue that would go to General Fund, but lawmakers would use it for pensions. The plan would also use revenue from technical changes in the state's tax code, as well as money from federal tax changes.

Medicaid Prompt Pay Bill Approved in Kentucky General Assembly, Could Be Vetoed

Kenny Colston — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:32:48 +0000

A bill requiring prompt pay for health care providers participating in Kentucky's Medicaid managed-care system is heading to the governor's desk—but it isn't veto-proof.

The bill, sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo and would move disputes between providers and managed care organizations to the Department of Insurance to be settled.

Many Medicaid managed-care providers providers over late or non-existent payments from the MCOs for the services they did, repeatedly telling lawmakers their problems.

Kentucky Lawmakers Likely to Override Religious Freedom Bill Veto

Kenny Colston — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:27:41 +0000

The Kentucky House will vote Tuesday whether to override Gov. Steve Beshear's veto of the "religious freedom" bill.

Many House Democrats supported the bill when it first came up for a vote, though the decision to consider the veto was more contentious when taken up in a Democratic caucus meeting Monday. Speaker Greg Stumbo expects the override to go through, but he's not sure how strong the support will be.

Kentucky Lawmakers Considering Plan for Pension Reform, But Compromise Appears Uncertain

Kenny Colston — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:07:32 +0000

With only one day left in this year's legislative session, Kentucky House leaders are hopeful they have a deal to up shore up the state's underfunded pension system. But there may not be time to get it through the legislature.

House Democrats' are building support for a proposal that uses technical wrangling of revenue sources to cut some taxes while raising other funds to pay for pension reform. The current proposal would cut the gasoline tax by one cent, resulting in a loss of funds for the state road fund.

Kentucky General Assembly Nears End. What Passed, What's Left and What's Left for Dead.

Kenny Colston — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:10:18 +0000

Kentucky legislators have returned home for the next 12 days after passing a flurry of bills in the recent days of the 2013 General Assembly session.

But many big issues still remain on the table and lawmakers will have two days left—March 25 and 26—to hammer out any remaining issues, including pensions and military voting bills.

Kentucky Legislators to Keep Working on Military Voting, Pension Reform After Adjourning Tuesday

Kenny Colston — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:16:40 +0000

FRANKFORT — Two priorities of Kentucky lawmakers will spill over to the so-called veto period of the 2013 legislative sessions after the issues could not be resolved by the end of Tuesday.

Legislators were unable to compromise on pension reform and the military electronic voting bill before both legislative chambers adjourned until March 25.