KENTON
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7 — JANUARY 12, 2024
THE VOICE OF NKY
linknky.com
What NKY’s legislators are focused on in 2024: Budget, public safety, school choice top the list By Rebecca Hanchett
T
he Kentucky legislative process is political. That’s true both inside Republican and Democratic caucuses and in how the parties interact with each other. Bills can live or die by the clout of the lawmaker (or lawmakers) behind them. Then there is the state budget, which is the only legislation that the Kentucky General Assembly is constitutionally required — political squabbles or not — to pass in session every two years. The state budget is so important that annual legislative sessions in even-numbered years are dubbed “budget sessions” to emphasize just how big a deal the budget is. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) told LINK nky in October that passing a two-year state budget is absolutely “the biggest issue” awaiting lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session that began Jan. 2. Continues on page 3 From left: Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) and House Appropriations and Revenue Chair Rep. Jason Petrie (R-Elkton) on opening day of the 2023 General Assembly. Photo provided | Legislative Research Commission
Artist brings passion for storytelling to his work By Robin Gee
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f you’ve purchased holiday stamps recently, you may be holding a little piece of art from Fort Thomas native and resident Gregory Manchess. The award-winning illustrator’s work can be found on book covers, in magazines, on advertisements, gracing the walls of museums and even on the big screen. His paintings of festive snow globes are featured on the U.S. Postal Service’s 2023 holiday stamps.
Award-winning illustrator Gregory Manchess is a native and resident of Fort Thomas. Photo provided | Greg Manchess
Manchess paints in oil, usually on canvas or linen, and his painterly style is sought by publishers, advertisers, corporations and private collectors across the U.S. and Europe. Currently, he is working on a series of illustrations of classic novels for two U.K. publishers. Continues on page 7
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