Enquirer: Ex-UK player endorses bill to raise dropout age

Former University of Kentucky basketball star Jamal Mashburn called Wednesday for state lawmakers to approve a proposal that would gradually raise the minimum dropout age from 16 to 18.

Mashburn, who also played 13 years in the NBA, appeared at a Capitol news conference where he endorsed legislation being championed by Kentucky first lady Jane Beshear.

The legislation under consideration in Kentucky, where 6,000 students dropped out in 2009, would increase the minimum age for legally quitting school to 17 in 2015 and to 18 in 2016. Enquirer, January 27, 2001

cn|2 Pure Politics: Greer says bill to cap payday lending interest at 36% will likely get a hearing

Legislation filed Wednesday that would cap the amount of interest payday lenders could charge at 36 percent will likely get a hearing in the House banking and insurance committee this year, the panel’s chairman said onPure Politics.

Rep. Jeff Greer, the Brandenburg Democrat who heads up that committee, said unlike last year when he didn’t call the issue for a hearing, lawmakers will have cold, hard statistics to work with this time to help them make the right decision. cn|2 Pure Politics January 5, 2011

cn|2 Pure Politics: Rep. Greer will again file bill to raise the drop-out age in Kentucky to 18

State Rep. Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg, said he’ll try again to get his colleagues to raise the age in which Kentuckians must remain in school from 16 to 18, which also is the top agenda item for Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.

“We need to take the next step. Our kids need this,” Greer said on Pure Politics Tuesday. He said he will file the measure this week as the 2011 General Assembly begins its work. cn|2 Pure Politics January 4, 2011

Herald-Leader: Autism bill puts Kentucky at forefront

Tucked into the flurry of legislation that passed the General Assembly last week was a landmark autism bill that will mean more Kentucky children with autism spectrum disorders will receive the intensive treatment they need. The Senate on Thursday gave unanimous approval to House Bill 159, which requires large group and state-employee insurance policies to…

Herald-Leader: House approves raising dropout age to 18

Gov. Steve Beshear and first lady Jane Beshear praised the House Wednesday shortly after it overwhelmingly approved a bill to raise the school dropout age to 18. “I applaud our legislators for working together to pass this important bill — one that puts education first,” said the Democratic governor. “Reducing our dropout rate is tied…

Herald-Leader: Vote delayed on bill to raise drop-out age

Supporters of legislation that would raise the school dropout age are trying to tamp down concerns that the bill would cause unfunded mandates and lead to more students cruising to “completion” rather than graduation. Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear was among those who testified before the House Education Committee Tuesday in favor of the legislation,…

Rough Notes Magazine: Jeff Greer is “big city success in the country”

Rough Notes Magazine, March 2006