WBKO - Politics - Headlines

Senate Approves Amish Buggy Provision as Previous Case Goes to KY Supreme Court

By: Associated Press
Updated: Tue 11:25 PM, Feb 07, 2012

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Amish men from across Kentucky arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday, to watch the Senate approve a bill that would allow them to use reflective tape on their horse-drawn buggies, rather than bright orange triangular signs that some object to on religious grounds.

The measure passed 38-0. It now goes to the House for consideration.

Republican Sen. Ken Winters of Murray sponsored the bill that allows the drab Amish buggies to be outlined with gray or silver reflective tape, that makes them shine brilliantly in the dark when they reflect car lights.

Winters said tests have proven that the reflective tape makes the buggies visible up to 1,000 feet away.

This vote was being taken, as a group of Amish men who have been fined and jailed for refusing to hang the orange traffic signs on their horse-drawn buggies, learned they will get the chance to argue their religious freedom case before the Kentucky Supreme Court in March.

The court will hear oral arguments from attorneys March 15.

The Graves County men belong to a group of conservative Amish who reject the brightly-colored triangles for religious reasons, saying they are too flashy and their protection on the roadways is guided by God.

William Sharp, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, is representing the Amish men, and the Kentucky Attorney General's office will argue the state's case.


WBKO.com is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:

Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, no links, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards.

powered by Disqus

Political Links

Kentucky Votes
Kentucky's Legislature at your fingertips. Search through this session's legislation, check your legislator's voting record, or even stay updated by email as bills move through the legislature.

Federal Election Commission
The governing body for all elections in the United States.

Project Vote Smart
Non-profit/non-partisan group that details how congressmen vote on bills and public statements they make on issues.

Open Secrets
A non-profit/non-partisan group that crunch campaign contribution information to find out who is contributing to what campaigns.

The Institute on Money in State Politics
Find out who is contributing to campaigns for state offices.

The Center for Public Integrity
Find out more about private organizations that are contributing local campaigns.

The Pew Research Center
Opinion polls from all sources in one place.

FactCheck.org
Checks the information provided in political ads.

Congress.org
Get detailed information on your elected federal, state and local officials.

GovTrack
Keep track of federal officials, how they're voting and what they're up to.

Electionline
A reference guide to election laws and regulations.

Politics1
News, links and information on all things political.

WBKO 2727 Russellville Road Bowling Green, KY 42101-3976 Phone: 270-781-1313 After Hours Hotline: 270-781-6397 Fax: 270-781-1814
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 138909289