Regional

By TOM LOFTUS

The Courier-Journal

Gov. Matt Bevin on Tuesday night proposed increasing funding for beleaguered state pension funds by more than a billion dollars over the next two years, finding most of that money by slashing funding to most state agencies by 9 percent.

By GREG KOCHER

Lexington Herald-Leader

Once again, bills have been filed in the Kentucky legislature that would provide a one-time death benefit to help the survivors of fallen employees of emergency medical services.

The state pays a lump sum to the families of firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty, but not to the survivors of EMS workers. Survivors of paramedics in Lexington are eligible for the benefits because they are part of the fire department.

By JOHN CHEVES

Lexington Herald-Leader

There are 138 members of the General Assembly when it’s at full capacity, often working alongside the governor and his senior staff; lower-level constitutional officers like the attorney general; professional Frankfort lobbyists; citizens’ advocacy groups; and others buzzing about the Capitol. Here are a few people in particular to watch this year’s 60-day legislative session which began Tuesday:

By TOM EBLEN

Lexington Herald-Leader

This was an eventful year for Kentucky businesses: Toyota accelerated, bourbon distillers rolled out more barrels, Tempur Sealy employees lost some sleep, King Coal coughed and wheezed, and so much more.

As Toyota marked its third year as the world’s top-selling automaker, the Georgetown assembly plant that since 1988 has been churning out Camrys, Avalons and Venzas opened a new production line in October to make the Lexus ES 350.