Kenny Colston

Kentucky lawmakers are frustrated by the lack of information on the state’s incoming health insurance exchange.

The exchange is required under the healthcare law, and will allow Kentuckians to compare and purchase insurance plans.

At a meeting of the joint Health and Welfare committee, many lawmakers prodded members of the executive branch for details on the costs and operations of the exchange. But answers were lacking.

Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson says Kentucky needs to double its efforts to create clean energy and green jobs.

In a meeting with energy officials Wednesday, Abramson said the commonwealth needs to look to the future.

“We simply can not, should not and frankly we will not be able to keep doing things the way we have in the past.”

The chair of Kentucky’s tax commission says a sweeping overhaul of the state's tax code isn't in the works.

Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson says, in his heart, he wants to see a major change in the tax code.

“But at the same time my brain tells that generally in state government things move incrementally forward,” he says, adding that a grand reform bill isn’t likely to pass the legislature.

And Abramson says throwing out and completely rewriting the state tax code, as state Senate President David Williams previously advocated for, is out of the question.

A federal judge's ruling could open the door to the sale of hard liquor and wine in grocery stores.

Currently state law allows grocery stores to only sell beer, while liquor stores and drug stores can sell beer, wine and liquor. After years of unsuccessful lobbying to change the law, grocery associations sued in federal court last year. U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II in Louisville handed down a ruling in their favor today, declaring that the ban is unconstitutional. 

This year's vice presidential debate at Centre College is shaping up to be a policy wonk's dream. 

Both Vice President Joe Biden and newly-minted Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan are longtime lawmakers who are steeped in policy. 

“I think it will be a substantive debate, meaning that these are both serious policymakers and they both have substantial voting records and careers to discuss, even though Congressman Ryan is relatively young at 42, he’s been in Congressman since January 1999,” says University of Louisville professor Jasmine Farrier.

Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson's assertion that the Fancy Farm picnic is no longer a relevant political event has inspired a growing backlash.

In remarks reported by CN2, Abramson dismissed the picnic, saying it's too rowdy. But Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who emceed this year's event, says when statewide officials skip the picnic, as Abramson did this year, it hurts the church and community that put the event on.

"Fancy Farm just isn’t about politics, it’s a church charity event and it’s a huge economic draw for people in Western Kentucky,” Comer says.

Kentucky Republicans are ramping up their campaign to take control of the state house in this year's elections. 

The GOP has latched on to House Speaker Greg Stumbo's declaration that he will vote for President Barack Obama this fall.

Republicans are circulating video of the comments and asking for donations, but money isn't the main goal.

Despite speculation of greater ambitions, U.S. Senator Rand Paul is likely to stay in his current position if Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is elected this fall. 

U.S. Senator Rand Paul will continue to build his national profile with a speech at the Republican National Convention later this month.

A speaking slot at a convention is usually a springboard for wider national appeal. Senator Paul is a rumored running mate for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and a potential presidential candidate in 2016.

But Paul may have been selected for another reason.

While the biggest ticket at every Fancy Farm political picnic is the speaking, the after the picnic chatter revolves around whoever was working the crowd.

One surprise this year was Congressman Ben Chandler, who’s locked into another re-election fight in his Central Kentucky district, miles away from Fancy Farm.

Kentucky Public Radio caught up with Chandler at the grounds, where he said he was just visiting with friends for the weekend.