Kentucky legislature is too religious, Jewish groups say.

Kentucky lawmakers have sparked complaints from the state's Jewish leaders over repeated bills and other acts that promote religion.

In early March, the Kentucky General Assembly gave final approval to HB 277, a measure that allows "historic artifacts," including "religious materials," to be displayed in public schools and other buildings. The proposal also requires that the national motto, "In God We Trust," be placed "directly above and behind the dais of the Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives" and returns a large Ten Commandments monument to the capitol grounds.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed the bill into law on March 24.

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal the Jewish Community Federation of Louisville sent a letter to legislators expressing concern.

"We believe that our elected officials should focus less energy on legislating religion itself, and should spend more effort on legislating good policies based on the fundamental moral values shared by all our citizens," the group stated in its letter.