The budget, road plan and tax reform legislation made it to the governor’s desk before the Kentucky General Assembly’s veto recess, but some notable bills didn’t achieve the same success.
There is just under $2 million in the road plan in fiscal years 2023 and 24 for right of way and utility work for the proposed industrial connector from the industrial park area to KY 115 and money in 2023 and 24 for design and utility work for further widening of KY 115 between Pembroke and Oak Grove.
There is funding in the current fiscal year for design of reconstruction of the Pennyrile Parkway-1682 Bypass interchange and funds in 2024 for utility and right of way work. That project is necessary for interstate designation of the Pennyrile Parkway.
State Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke is most pleased that funding is included to improve safety at the Lafayette Road-Lovers Lane intersection as ground will soon be broken for construction of the new consolidated high school.
Senator Whitney Westerfield is also pleased with those improvements and with funds in the 2023 and 24 fiscal years to widen US 79 near Novelis in Todd County and to replace a narrow bridge over the railroad.
Senator Westerfield had vowed to support medical marijuana in the Senate, but is disappointed that the bill now appears to be dead without a vote.
He doesn’t know if the bill that would legalize sports betting in Kentucky will get a vote when lawmakers return after the veto recess, but says he won’t be supporting it if it does.
Hear local legislators discuss these topics and others Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at Lite987whop.com.