At issue [is] House Bill 70, a measure long sought by Rep. Jesse Crenshaw, a Lexington Democrat, to automatically restore voting rights to most felons who have served their sentences. It excludes those convicted of intentional murder or serious sex crimes.
...HB 70, which would bring Kentucky in line with most other states, would have to be approved by voters as a constitutional amendment.
But Sen. Damon Thayer, of Georgetown, the majority floor leader for Senate Republicans, eviscerated what represents a decade of work by Mr. Crenshaw, replacing it with a version that would set Kentucky back even farther when it comes to restoring voting rights of ex-offenders.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Thayer's wrecking ball takes out bill
From today's Courier-Journal:
