Legislative and Judicial Lines Signed Into Law

 Governor Steve Beshear has signed new legislative and judicial districts into law, ending one part of Kentucky's redistricting fight.  There was pressure on the governor not to sign House Bill 1 because it leaves state Senator Kathy Stein of Lexington without a seat for two years.  In a statement, Beshear denounced the Senate’s decision to move Stein’s district, but he did not criticize the state House for any political lines it drew.

Beshear also said he supports creating an independent commission to deal with redistricting in the future.

With Beshear’s signature, House Bill 1 becomes the first law of 2012. And it keeps the January 31st deadline for filing to run for legislative seats intact.