The Courier-Journal has printed several letters both for and against the governor’s plan to sell $500 million in bonds to finance highway projects: Courier-Journal: Funding for highway construction and maintenance (Feb. 21, 2005) 

A bill that would allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to replace the state’s license plate whenever it sees fit was approved by the House Transportation Committee this week. Currently law stipulates that the state’s license plates be replaced every five years. Since the current license plates featuring a smiling sun were introduced in 2003, they are currently scheduled for replacement in 2008.

More information: Associated Press: House panel votes to get rid of smiley plate (Feb. 17, 2005) , WKYT: "Smiley Face" Plate Could Be Phased Out (Feb. 18, 2005) 

Another legislative session brings about another effort to rename a highway in honor of Daniel Boone. Current efforts are focused on renaming US 25E between Corbin and Middlesboro—which roughly follows the route of Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Trail—in honor of the early explorer. The former Daniel Boone Parkway between London and Hazard is likely to remain named for U.S. Representative Hal Rogers.

The Boone Society has posted a petition requesting that US 25E be renamed in honor of Daniel Boone on their website: The Boone Society 

More information: Associated Press: Replacing Daniel Boone not easy for congressman (Feb. 17, 2005) 

Astute observers will note that the text of the sidebar on the above referenced article is taken almost word-for-word from my topic describing the Daniel Boone Parkway/Hal Rogers Parkway.

Descendants of Daniel Boone feel slighted by Kentucky politicians. First Paul Patton had the Daniel Boone Parkway renamed the Hal Rogers Parkway, and then state legislature failed to either re-rename the Hal Rogers Parkway or rename another road in honor of Boone.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Descendants of Daniel Boone feel insulted by politicians (Feb. 1, 2005) 

State Senator Charlie Borders has proposed naming a new route between the AA Highway and the Black Oak Industrial Park for former President Ronald Reagan: Ashland Daily Independent: Senator suggests name for new Lewis County highway (Jan. 24, 2005) 

State Rep. Rob Wilkey believes that work to widen I-65 from the Tennessee state line to Bowling Green could begin this spring. He also has high hopes for a project to widen US 31W from KY 1008 south of Franklin to the Tennessee state line: Franklin Favorite: 'Road projects a go,' Rep. Wilkey says (Jan. 20, 2005)