Kentucky House passes public-private partnership bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House has passed a bill that would authorize the creation of public-private partnerships for projects including mega-dollar transportation work.

The debate Wednesday evening was overshadowed by the estimated $2.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project, which calls for building a new bridge linking northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Kentucky officials want to pursue a public-private partnership as a way to finance the project.

The House passed the measure on an 84-13 vote after considering a series of amendments. The partnerships would apply to state agencies and transportation projects.

In a key vote, the House defeated an amendment that would have banned the use of tolls to fund a new Brent Spence Bridge. Similar anti-tolling language was attached to last year’s public-private partnerships bill, prompting a veto by Gov. Steve Beshear.