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Beshear signs income tax reduction bill

Kentuckians will see a reduction in their income tax rate next year after Governor Andy Beshear on Thursday signed House Bill One into law.

“The bill lowers the income tax to 3.5 percent next January without cutting any of the state programs that Kentuckians are dependent on,” said Kentucky House District 25 Representative Steve Bratcher. “Economists estimate the cut will leave $718 million in paychecks and pocketbooks in the first year alone. We’ve seen previous tax cuts translate into more spending in our local communities, investments, and helping Kentuckians deal with national inflation.”

During his Team Kentucky Update Thursday, Governor Beshear said he supported the bill because it saves Kentuckians money at a time where prices are high.

“This is a bill that’s been supported by Republicans,” Beshear said. “It’s been supported by Democrats. In the end, I support it because it’s going to help you, and that’s where the analysis should always focus.”

Beshear said he believed growth across the state will offset the loss of tax revenue, and noted that Kentuckians can view information on the financial impact of such bills on the 2025 Facts and Fiscal Notes webpage on the governor’s website. The text of House Bill One can be found on the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission website.

Hardin County Quick Response Team hosting training event

Hardin County Chief Deputy Coroner and Quick Response Team Supervisor Shana Norton says with the area seeing a spike in overdoses, now is a good time for a reminder of the resources the QRT can connect community members with.

“Whether it’s housing, or you need to get your driver’s license, or maybe you need to try to find a job, or you need a car, or you need tattoo removal, or you need an outfit to go to court in, or you need clothes, or a job resume to try to get a job, or something as simple as a food bank, and the list can go on and on and on,” Norton said.

With the QRT established, the team is seeking community members to help serve on the team and connect with those struggling with substance abuse. The QRT is hosting an upcoming training event for those interested in serving.

“We’re hoping to get some people that are in the community, whether they just have a heart for people with substance abuse disorder or maybe they are living a sober life right now and maybe they’re peer support and they have lived experience,” Norton said. “We’re hoping that the community can come out if this is something they want to do and get some training.”

The training event will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11 at the Goodwill training office in downtown Elizabethtown for anybody interested in participating.

“This is obviously a new thing for all of us, and we want to just be able to have those that want to be a part of it kind of prepared, so that way when we do call our team and we have to go out and knock on doors, people that are wanting to join the team will be able to know what to expect,” Norton said.

Contact QRT Rapid Response Officer Justin Blair to register for the training event, and if you are in need of resources visit the Quick Response Team – Hardin County Facebook page to connect with the QRT.

KSP hosting annual teddy bear Valentine’s Day sale

If you are still looking for something for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, the Kentucky State Police has a “beary” special gift available.

The KSP is hosting a special sale of their Trooper Teddy Bears now through February 16, with bears available for $20.

The KSP says every purchase of a Trooper Teddy Bear “gives KSP troopers and officers a unique tool that helps children facing challenging situations, such as a car crash, cases of abuse, or serious illness.” 100 percent of profits from the Trooper Teddy Bear program goes towards purchasing additional bears for children in need.

Bears are available at any KSP post or online. Online orders may be shipped or may be picked up at a KSP post.

The Trooper Teddy Bear program was initiated by Kentucky First Lady Martha Wilkinson in 1989, and relies solely on bear sales and donations. Learn more about the program on the KSP website.

E-Town Council approves zoning change on College Street

The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.

The council approved an amendment on its second reading which changed the zoning of 310 College Street from Urban Residential (R-4) to Neighborhood Office (C-1). That zoning change came after negative feedback from College Street area residents prompted the council to change the intended zoning from Neighborhood Commercial (C-2) to C-1 and request the city review several of its zoning change procedures. Elizabethtown Resident Brad Luebbert, who said after the ordinance’s first reading that the residents presented a survey opposing the zoning change, was disappointed in the council’s decision.

“We had a hundred people that asked you to not vote for this,” Luebbert said. “It was a hundred to one, and you guys voted to approve. Just know, I appreciate the process. I appreciate what you do, but know that 100 people, all of them, asked you not to, and one person asked you to do it, and you did.”

The first reading of an ordinance approving the annexation of about 154 acres at Gaither Station Road and South Ring Road was held. That land would be primarily zoned General Industrial (I-1) with a portion Suburban Residential (R-1). 

The council also approved a resolution opposing the centralized collection of local occupational taxes. City Attorney Ken Howard read the resolution, which expresses concerns with the state establishing occupational taxes and licensing fees, and encourages members of the Kentucky General Assembly to vote against such measures due to the impact it would have on municipal budgets.

“The receipts affiliated with these funds are recorded into the general fund of the local government and allocated toward providing critical services including police, fire, and emergency management services, public infrastructure improvements, and other critical programs and services to citizens,” Howard read.

The council approved a contract with engineering firm Jacobi, Toombs, and Lanz for engineering services on the design of the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facility, with the contract not to exceed $400,000. The council also approved a $44,600 contract with Revize Software Services for a redesign of the city’s website.

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory issued a proclamation declaring Brown-Pusey House Day in recognition of the house’s 200th birthday celebrations in 2025. Gregory said the city is lucky to have such a landmark and the volunteers that make the house a community asset.

“We’ve been blessed for many years to have tremendous volunteers and great people that have seen to it that the house stays what it has been to our community and continues to mean what it means to our community, so we’re very grateful for all the work that all of you all do,” Gregory said.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet February 10.

Guthrie accepting entries for Second District student art contest

Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie is asking high schoolers in his district to submit their artwork for an annual contest. 

Congressman Guthrie has announced the start of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for the Kentucky Second District.

According to a release from Guthrie’s office, each spring participating members of Congress invite submissions from students in their districts. The artwork is judged by an independent and local panel of art professors from colleges and universities. Overall winners have their artwork displayed at the U.S. Capitol, with the second and third place submissions displayed at Guthrie’s district office in Bowling Green. The competition also includes a publicly decided “Facebook Favorite” which will also be displayed at the Bowling Green office.

All high school students in the Kentucky Second District are welcome to participate. The deadline to submit is April 9. Students may ship their artwork to Guthrie’s Bowling Green office or drop it off there, or make arrangements with the congressman’s office to have the work picked up from their school. Winners will be announced in April.

Visit guthrie.house.gov for more information.