How should Kentucky fill a U.S. Senate vacancy?

That's one of the questions that was answered by a Frankfort committee today.

Right now, the governor has to choose from a list of three names from the party of the vacating senator.

But one plan could change that.

Our Clayton Dalton reports on that.

And who should have the final say on statues in the Capitol Rotunda?

And if Louisville's local elections should be partizan.

When U.S. senators leave their post in the middle of a term, it creates a vacancy.

Should this happen in Kentucky, the governor picks from a list of nominees and appoint someone to fill the seat for the rest of that term.

But House Bill 622 wants to give that choice to the people.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate.

The executive authority of such state shall shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

That's all this bill does.

The U.S. Constitution does allow governors to make appointments in lieu of special elections.

And Democratic Governor Andy Beshear says he opposes this bill.

State senators also heard legislation that would give more oversight to the General Assembly.

No statue, no monument or object of art shall be installed or removed from permanent display in the new state Capitol rotunda.

Please remember in the rotunda without the approval of the General Assembly by means of an act or joint resolution explicitly identifying and authorizing the installation or removal of the statue, the monument, or the object of art.

In 2020, Governor Beshear remove the Jefferson Davis statue from the Capitol Rotunda, claiming Davis his support for slavery, made the statue a divisive symbol.

Some Republicans complained, pointing out the $225,000 price tag for its removal and relocation.

Today, one Republican state senator says he wishes House Bill 513 went beyond the walls of the state capitol.

I actually wish you'd gone even further.

I just saw an article the other day that the University of Kentucky is trying to persist and destroying the mural and Memorial Hall that has been there since the 1920s.

Senator Wheeler is referencing the O'Hanlon mural at the University of Kentucky.

It depicts black people planting tobacco and a Native American with a tomahawk.

Opponents say the mural is offensive, but supporters say it's an artful depiction of history.

The 21st century iconoclasts.

Unfortunately, no, no shame or bounds.

And it would be great if we could we could expand that to protect other public works of art that are under threat by the left radical left in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Legislators also heard a bill that would in part make mayoral and council races in Louisville, nonpartisan.

Senate Majority floor leader Damon Thayer said he's not a fan of this specific part of the bill.

You know, I despise nonpartisan elections and I'm not I'm not thrilled with what I consider a regression here on going to nonpartisan races.

However, it was Voltaire who said, do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

And I think this is a good bill.

In other than that one little piece, that one little word that I'm not thrilled with, because I think all elections should be partizan.

All three House bills passed with overwhelming support and now head to the full Senate.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Clayton Dalton.