Kentucky General Assembly gets back in session today

Kentucky state lawmakers return to Frankfort Tuesday for the start of the General Assembly's new legislative session.

Lawmakers will meet through the week but then will not return until February. They have a total of 30 meeting days to get their work done.

Lawmakers meet every year, but the sessions are shorter on the odd years. They won’t deal with the budget this time around but there’s still a lot to get through.

Crime and violence is an issue that is getting attention from both Republicans and Democrats. Abortion, however, is not finding much common ground between the parties.

Kentucky voters rejected a ballot measure that would have prevented the state from protecting abortion rights last November. The issue is also tied up in a state supreme court case.

Medical marijuana has been on the agenda for the last several years. An executive order from Gov. Beshear allows Kentuckians to purchase up to 8 ounces of the drug as of Jan. 1. He hopes his action will spur the General Assembly to "do their job."