<p>Kentucky Republican lawmakers used their new supermajorities in the state legislature this weekend to pass what Governor Matt Bevin calls &ldquo;generationally changing bills&rdquo; on abortion and labor unions. ;</p>
<p>Hundreds of protestors crowded outside the Capitol building Saturday as lawmakers passed two harsh measures on abortion and three bills affecting labor unions and prevailing wage rates for construction workers. ;</p>
<p>Approved by the senate with a vote of 32-5, House Bill 2 forces any woman seeking an abortion to first have an ultrasound (giving her the opportunity to hear the infant&rsquo;s heartbeat). ;</p>
<p>Senate Bill 5, approved by the house with a vote of 79-15, bans abortions after 20 weeks unless the woman&rsquo;s life is in danger. The law does not make exceptions for incest or rape. ;</p>
<p><strong>Labor Unions</strong></p>
<p>Lawmakers attacked labor unions with a bill that makes it illegal for any employer to require workers to join a union or pay union dues. They also repealed the state&rsquo;s prevailing wage law and banned union dues from being used in political donations. ;</p>
<p>Critics complain the new changes will weaken labor unions and dilute their bargaining power. Supporters believe the bills will attract jobs. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are going to try to create an environment that creates jobs that help Kentucky families,&rdquo; said Republican Senate President Robert Stivers.</p>
<p>Democrats are alarmed with the unprecedented pace set by the GOP-controlled legislature, but Stivers says it&rsquo;s a &ldquo;signal that Kentucky is going to do differently than it has in the past.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>All bills passed on Saturday will go into effect this Monday (January 9th). ;</p>
<p><strong>Editor&#8217;s note:</strong> I happy to see my home state is not wasting any time. Conservatives have been beat up around the nation for far too long.</p>