Political Compromises Reached During Commute

Leaders from both parties praised two political rivals Wednesday for their work on a pair of important bills to reduce heroin overdose deaths and protect victims of dating violence.

The details of both bills took shape in a vehicle speeding along the Western Kentucky Parkway. That's where Republican Sen. Whitney Westerfield and Democratic Rep. John Tilley shared a commute to the Capitol from their native Hopkinsville.

The two men lead the judiciary committees in their respective legislative bodies and were key players in negotiations on the bills that increase substance abuse treatment options and expand civil protections for victims of dating violence.

Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear credited both men for helping lead the charge on the issues that leaders said became the defining moments of the 2015 legislative session.