Despite broad bipartisan support in the Kentucky House of Representatives and the backing of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, a bill that would automatically restore voting rights for most convicted felons who complete their sentences appears dead. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said he likely won’t call the measure for a second vote because the Senate backs amendments he placed on the bill in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Senate President Robert Stivers said that House members have indicated they won’t compromise on the issue and that there is little Senate support for House Bill 70 as originally proposed. But two House sponsors of the measure — Democrat Rep. Jesse Crenshaw of Lexington and Republican Minority Leader Jeff Hoover of Jamestown — both said they’ve never claimed they wouldn’t compromise.
“I was hoping that we could go to conference committee but he indicated to me a week or so ago that there wasn’t much support in the Senate to do anything,” Hoover said.
Thayer’s refusal to call the bill likely means that Crenshaw, who has been working on the legislation for more than a decade and is retiring at year’s end, will leave the House without passing it.
The legislation got further this year than it ever has before, however.
Full Article: Felon voting rights bill likely dead in Senate.