Friday, February 27, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

House Education Committee approves bill to improve poor-performing schools

02/26/2015 09:45 PM
FRANKFORT — Legislation aiming to turn around persistently low-performing schools narrowly passed the House Education Committee Thursday, with a Democrat changing his vote to advance the bill. House Bill 498, sponsored by Rep. Derrick Graham, cleared the committee 17-3-2. Voting initially stalled at 16-3-3 with 17 supporters needed for approval, but Rep. Rick Nelson, D-Middlesboro, switched from a “pass” to send HB 498 to the House floor. The legislation would create a class of targeted focus schools. There were nearly 300 focus... Read more 

Discussions on heroin legislation continue in House judiciary panel, but no vote taken on Senate Bill 5

02/26/2015 03:28 PM
FRANKFORT — Talks on legislation targeting Kentucky’s burgeoning heroin problem continued Thursday as lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee reviewed, but did not vote on, the Senate’s version of a response to the drug issue. With the 30-day session nearing an end, Rep. John Tilley hopes the two sides can meet soon and cobble together a resolution. He floated a possible informal conference committee meeting on Saturday, but that was news to Sen. Chris McDaniel, who presented Senate Bill 5 in... Read more 

House bill to help fund UK cancer research center clears Senate committee

02/26/2015 12:42 PM
FRANKFORT — A bill which would authorize the General Assembly to help fund a new medical research center at the University of Kentucky was unanimously passed on Thursday by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Revenue. House Bill 298, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford, would authorize the state to appropriate $132.5 million, or half of the cost for the construction of a new research building. The university will come up with half of the construction and all other associated... Read more 

What To See at the Humana Festival of New American Plays
from Ashlie Stevens
Never-before-seen theatre productions, by both emerging and world-renowned playwrights, are debuting next week at Actors Theatre of Louisville as part of the Humana Festival of New American Plays—just as they have been since 1976. With six full-length productions and a night of three 10-minute plays, deciding what to see can be a bit of a challenge. But we’ve got you covered, matching your tastes with the theatrical offerings. Here is the essential guide to navigating Humana Festival 2015. An “odd couple” story with a feminist twist. “The Roommate”by Jen Silverman takes the tired tale of seemingly grossly mismatched roommates and updates it in [...]
Fri, Feb 27, 2015 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Beshear to choose among 3 attorneys to fill Supreme Court seat
from Jack Brammer
By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT —The names of three attorneys were presented to Gov. Steve Beshear Thursday from which he is to choose a replacement to fill the Kentucky Supreme Court seat held by Justice Will T. Scott. Scott, of Pikeville,stepped down from the state's highest court Jan. 2 to run as a Republican for governor. The three attorneys selected by the seven-member Judicial Nominating Commission, led by Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr., are David Allen Barber of Prestonsburg, Roger Donald Riggs of Mount Sterling and Janet L. Stumbo of Van Lear. [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 11:44:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Though still not official, Kentucky Republicans begin work on 2016 presidential caucus
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
Kentucky Republican officials began making plans Thursday for a presidential caucus next year in Kentucky, just two days after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signed off on the idea.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 10:26:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Sponsor yanks bill that critics said favored banks over homeowners in foreclosure
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
A state lawmaker said Thursday that he will withdraw one of his own bills after critics said it would unfairly favor banks over homeowners in the foreclosure process.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 9:04:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
KentuckyOne Opens Downtown Louisville ‘Health Lifestyle Center’
from Ja'Nel Johnson
Ja’Nel Johnson | wfpl.org KentuckyOne Health on Thursday opened its third center providing medically supervised exercise, nutrition counseling, stress management and other services to help people live healthier. The downtown location,  at 250 E Liberty St., will serve Louisvillians who live in the West End—where rates of heart attack, diabetes, obesity and hypertension are extremely high. “It’s usually not a knowledge deficit, that people don’t know that they should eat right, exercise, stop smoking or stop drinking. People are using those as coping skills to react to life,” Stephens said. The center offers a fitness membership program called Lifestyle Medicine, which offers personal health coaching by [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 8:34:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Public-private partnership legislation passes House; veto threat over tolling amendment avoided

02/25/2015 08:21 PM
FRANKFORT — Legislation that would allow the state to pursue agreements with private industry in capital projects cleared the House 84-13 Wednesday, and lawmakers resoundingly defeated a floor amendment that doomed a similar bill last year. House Bill 443 — the public-private partnership, or P3, bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Combs — now heads to the Senate, which joined the House in sending last year’s public-private partnership bill to Gov. Steve Beshear’s desk. But Beshear vetoed that legislation, pointing to an... Read more 

Beshear says he wants needle exchange in heroin bill; will ask House and Senate leaders to discuss KTRS bonding

02/25/2015 06:54 PM
As lawmakers head toward a likely conference committee to negotiate an agreement on anti-heroin legislation, Gov. Steve Beshear says a provision to allow local needle-exchange programs should be part of a final bill. Speaking to reporters outside his Capitol office just hours after the Senate Judiciary Committee heard discussion on the House version of the heroin legislation, Beshear said he was in favor of the House version of the bill but applauded both the House and Senate for their work... Read more 

Bill to inform parents of options for children diagnosed with Spina Bifida passes Senate committee

02/25/2015 04:16 PM
FRANKFORT – A bill which requires that parents be given up-to-date and accurate information when their unborn child is diagnosed with Spina Bifida was unanimously passed by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on Wednesday. Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, would require medical providers to supply written, information so parents can make an informed decision on treatment. Colleen Payne, of the Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky, says when parents currently get such a diagnosis, there is... Read more 

Talks on heroin abuse legislation take limelight in Senate Judiciary Committee, but no vote taken

02/25/2015 12:45 PM
FRANKFORT — Lawmakers began their public review of anti-heroin legislation ahead of a likely conference committee as the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony, but took no vote, on House Bill 213 Wednesday. Sen. Whitney Westerfield, chairman of the judiciary panel, said he met with bill sponsors from the House and Senate as well as stakeholders in courtrooms, jails and police stations throughout the state in order to reach some consensus on a final package. The Hopkinsville Republican said he’s preparing... Read more 

Comer releases first campaign ad of 2015 highlighting achievements as ag commissioner

02/25/2015 09:29 AM
In his first ad of the Republican primary race for governor, James Comer is highlighting his credentials as a conservative with a record of reducing government spending and improving the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. In the advertisement, which began airing Wednesday, Comer refers to himself as a “blue-collar guy” with a history of improving efficiency in government. “The average Kentuckian is having to do more with less,” Comer says in the ad. “We’re going to have to have the same mentality,... Read more 
Listen to Our News Special on the Surge of Heroin in Kentucky
from Staff
Over the past several years, heroin abuse in Kentucky and elsewhere has soared, devastating families and straining police, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. In this WFPL News special that aired Wednesday, we talked about the heroin surge and the response to what many call a public health epidemic. Guests included: Healing Place client Jay Moffet Kenneth Wright, substance abuse program coordinator for Louisville Metro Corrections WFPL Capitol bureau chief Ryland Barton Karyn Hascal, president of the Healing Place WFPL’s Rick Howlett hosted. Listen below: Related stories: Louisville’s Heroin Treatment Centers Feel Strain of Surging Addiction Rates Kentucky Lawmakers Argue Over the Specifics of Heroin Legislation Two Louisvillians Share Stories of [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 1:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Doesn’t Have Any More Working Union Coal Miners
from Erica Peterson and Whitney Jones
For the first time in about a century, no union coal miners are working in Kentucky. The state’s few remaining union miners were laid off New Year’s Eve when Patriot Coal’s Highland Mine in Western Kentucky shut down, the United Mine Workers of America confirmed. “Appalachia was always a really tough nut for the union to crack, and I think maybe Kentucky was the toughest nut of all,” said labor historian James Green, author of a new book about West Virginia’s mine wars. Related StoryHollowed Mountains, Now Hollowed Towns: Coal in Eastern KentuckyIn retrospect, the fight to unionize Harlan County’s Brookside mine in [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 11:57:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky House Passes Public-Private Partnership Bill Without N. Ky. Toll Ban
from Ryland Barton
The Kentucky House on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow the state to engage in public-private partnerships. Notably, the bill passed 84-13 without an amendment that would have forbid using a “P3″ to finance a toll bridge connecting Kentucky with Ohio. A similarly amended bill was vetoed by Gov. Steve Beshear last year. A “P3” is a financing model that allows the state to contract with private companies on major projects. Typically a private company would front much of the money for the construction phase of a project and then would be able to recoup expenses through users fees or tolls. Rep. Leslie [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 2:38:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky House approves public-private partnership bill
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
FRANKFORT —The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday night to allow state government to partner with private sources on building projects after turning down a request to ban tolls for…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 1:48:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Political Headlines


GOP gubernatorial candidate Will T. Scott says his ticket has "got game"

02/24/2015 10:15 PM
Former Justice Will T. Scott left the Kentucky Supreme Court to run for the open governor’s seat in the four-way GOP primary because he wanted to right the wrongs he sees in state government. To paraphrase Scott, 67, he can’t leave politics alone — the people need him. “When I see something wrong in government and I know how to fix it, then I step into public service,” Scott said. “I fix it then I go back, you know, to... Read more 

House sends telecommunications, beer bills to Senate by wide margins

02/24/2015 09:56 PM
FRANKFORT — The House passed two high-profile pieces of legislation by wide margins Tuesday, sending bills deregulating landline telephone service and barring beer brewers from owning distributorships to the Senate. Rep. Rick Rand, sponsor of House Bill 152, offered a floor amendment that would allow those moving to new Internet-based voice service from landline telephones 60 days to switch back, make AT&T responsible for BellSouth phone lines, protect those with health-monitoring and security devices installed at their home, and mandating that... Read more 

'Alicia's law' calling for additional court costs to fund Internet Crimes Against Children task force passes House panel

02/24/2015 03:37 PM
FRANKFORT — A bill designed to give a financial boost to the Kentucky State Police Internet Crimes Against Children task force cleared a House panel with unanimous consent Tuesday. House Bill 427 known as “Alicia’s Law” would impose a $10 fee as part of court costs in criminal cases heard in Circuit Court to supplement a fund to protect children from internet crime. The bill is named for Alicia Kozakiewicz, a victim and namesake of the Alicia’s Law campaign led... Read more 

P3 legislation clears House budget panel despite lawmaker's attempts to bar tolling from Brent Spence Bridge

02/24/2015 02:03 PM
FRANKFORT — Legislation that would allow the state to collaborate with private companies in financing capital projects cleared the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Tuesday. The 26-4-1 vote on House Bill 443 came after Rep. Arnold Simpson unsuccessfully offered four floor amendments focused on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Brent Spence Bridge in northern Kentucky, specifically banning the use of tolls to pay for the project. A similar provision against tolls on the bridge between Kentucky and Ohio doomed a bill... Read more 

Bill tightening fracking regulations clears House panel

02/24/2015 12:28 PM
FRANKFORT – A bill, which sponsors say is designed to modernize and strengthen Kentucky’s oil and gas regulations, was unanimously passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on Tuesday. House Bill 386, sponsored by Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Morehead, is what Adkins called a “consensus” bill. In July 2014, Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters appointed a working group of state officials and representatives from the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association (KOGA), the Kentucky Resources Council, the Kentucky Chamber... Read more 

James Comer’s first TV ad for governor to begin airing Wednesday
from Accountability Editor
[caption id="attachment_19361" align="alignright" width="250"] Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer[/caption] By Sam Youngman syoungman@herald-leader.com Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer will begin running his first ad in the Republican primary for governor on Wednesday, touting his record as commissioner and proclaiming himself "a blue-collar guy." The ad, shared first with the Herald-Leader, features video clips from Comer's entrance into the race last September at an event in his hometown of Tompkinsville. "I represent the farmers, the teachers, the factor workers, all the hard-working middle-class Kentuckians," Comer says in the introductory ad. He pledges to run state government efficiently, making reference to his decision to shut down the [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 1:07:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Louisville’s Heroin Treatment Centers Feel Strain of Surging Addiction Rates
from Rick Howlett
In recent years, Kentucky has seen a surge of heroin addiction— a situation created in part by a legislative crackdown on prescription drug abuse. Now, hundreds are dying from heroin overdoses, many of them in the northern Kentucky counties around Cincinnati. Related StoryTwo Louisvillians Share Stories of Heroin AddictionLouisville has also been hit hard, and resources are strained, a situation on display at two institutions that are dealing with a flood of heroin cases. In fact, Louisville is home to the largest drug detox facility in the region. It’s not a traditional treatment center—it’s Louisville Metro Corrections. It’s not unusual for one hundred or more [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 12:01:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
DHS bill exposes holes in McConnell, GOP congressional coordination
In the heady days after winning control of both congressional chambers, Republican leaders vowed to keep the government funded and to block President Barack Obama from overhauling immigration policies on…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 10:59:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
James Comer's first TV ad in race for governor to begin airing Wednesday
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer will begin running his first ad in the Republican primary for governor on Wednesday, touting his record as commissioner and proclaiming himself "a blue-collar guy."Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 3:22:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Craft Beer Bill Passes House 67-31
from Ryland Barton
Kentucky brewers have won another fight in the Frankfort beer battle: the state House voted on Tuesday to change a law that allows out-of-state brewers to own their own distributors. The law presently allows Anheuser-Busch to own distributors in Owensboro and Louisville, which has been opposed by in-state micro-breweries. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a Democrat from Prestonsburg who sponsors the bill, said the legislation brings continuity to Kentucky’s beer industry. “If you’re Budweiser you play by the same rules as everybody else,” Stumbo said. “That’s not the case right now. It’s different for Budweiser and that’s why it’s somewhat confusing.” Since Prohibition, in-state brewers have not [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 1:10:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Bill To Deregulate AT&T Glides Through House
from Ryland Barton
The Kentucky House passed a bill Tuesday evening that would free telephone companies of the requirement to offer basic phone service to many of Kentucky’s densely populated areas. Since 2006, major telephone providers like AT&T have been required by the state’s Public Service Commission to offer basic service like unlimited local calling, operator assistance and 9-1-1. Now, carriers are asking to be freed of that regulation so they can invest in their wireless networks. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rick Rand, a Bedford Democrat, says deregulating AT&T will give the company more money to invest in technology in rural areas. “Without this investment, without us moving forward these things [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 12:10:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky House hands victory to AT&T on phone deregulation, deals blow to Anheuser-Busch in beer battle
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
The Kentucky House handed AT&T a long-sought victory Tuesday on phone deregulation, then smacked beer giant Anheuser-Busch by voting to end the company's distribution rights in Louisville and Owensboro.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 12:08:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


House sends $3.3B teachers' pension bond plan to Senate, where KTRS official will focus his efforts

02/24/2015 12:27 AM
FRANKFORT — The state House passed a $3.3 billion bonding plan for the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System Monday despite fiscal concerns with what would be the largest debt-financed project in Kentucky’s history. Nine Republicans voted with the majority Democrats to approve House Bill 4 62-31, two votes more than the 60-vote threshold for appropriation bills. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, HB 4’s sponsor, said he previously shared misgivings about borrowing to secure funding for KTRS, which has $13.9 billion in unfunded liabilities.... Read more 

Bevin unveils his seven point economic plan for Kentucky

02/23/2015 05:55 PM
FLORENCE — Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin officially kicked off his campaign for governor on Monday with a three city stop where he unveiled his seven point plan to create jobs and economic opportunity for Kentucky. Bevin, who was joined by his running mate Janean Hampton on the inaugural campaign tour unveiled his “blueprint” which calls for enacting right-to-work legislation, modernizing Kentucky’s tax code, resolving the pension crisis, reforming Kentucky government by eliminating personnel and waste, modernizing Kentucky’s education system, improving... Read more 

Congressman Barr agrees with need to fight ISIS; says AUMF does not go far enough

02/23/2015 05:46 PM
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr agrees President Barack Obama is on the right course in pursuing military force against Islamic terrorists known as ISIS, but he said Obama is missing the mark when it comes to the campaign the commander-in-chief would wage. Speaking to Pure Politics by telephone last week, Barr, R-Lexington, said the “limited force with artificial timetables” is not a strategy which would produce victory against Islamic extremists. Obama’s Authorization for Use of Military Force, or AUMF, request to... Read more 

GOP attorney general candidate Whitney Westerfield publishes financial disclosures

02/23/2015 04:47 PM
Republican attorney general candidate Whitney Westerfield is releasing his financial disclosures and taking a swipe at the Democratic candidate Andy Beshear. Westerfield, a Hopkinsville attorney and state senator, faces Lawrence County attorney Mike Hogan in the May primary, but Westerfield has his sights set on Beshear. In a press release, Westerfield said he is keeping his promise to increase transparency in government by releasing his legislative and campaign financial disclosures, and he issued a challenge to his opponents to do... Read more 

Pensions for workers, teachers taking different routes this session with varied chances of success

02/23/2015 03:44 PM
FRANKFORT — As one Kentucky pension system crosses its fingers for a 30-year, $3.3 billion bond proposal to shore up its funding, another retirement agency is preparing for a bevy of changes that could come during this year’s legislative session. The Public Pension Oversight Board heard brief updates on 16 pieces of legislation Monday that would tweak certain practices at the Kentucky Retirement Systems, attempt to locate additional funding for the beleaguered plan for most state workers, allow an exit strategy... Read more 

Freshman Sen. Will Schroder looks to use his background as a prosecutor to be an effective legislator

02/23/2015 01:38 PM
FRANKFORT — Freshman state Senator Wil Schroder, R- Wilder, has not kept a low profile in his first couple of months in the legislature. Schroder’s first bill, Senate Bill 9, was a top priority for the Senate in the 2015 session. The legislation which would have provided a prevailing wage exemption for educational buildings passed on the Senate floor before being voted down in a House committee earlier this month. Schroder is also vice-chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and... Read more 

Sunday Chatter: National Democratic Party “has lost its way,” Gov. Beshear says

02/22/2015 12:59 PM
As Democrats emerge from losing the U.S. Senate, governorships and state legislatures in last year’s midterm election cycle, the national party needs to refocus its message to reach voters that can relate to its core values, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said Saturday. Beshear is one of 11 Democrats tasked with evaluating the party’s political strategy in the wake of a brutal midterm cycle for Democrats, according to reports. He unveiled the panel’s preliminary findings Saturday in Washington. “We need a cohesive,... Read more 
Louisville Students Benefiting From Fresh Food Initiative, Report Says
from Ja'Nel Johnson
Louisville students living in under-served neighborhoods are benefiting from a program aimed at helping them live healthier, according to a progress report released Monday. The Farm to Family Initiative at Hazelwood and Wellington elementary schools was implemented 15 months ago to prevent childhood obesity among children ages  8 to 12. The initiative  is a collaboration between  KentuckyOne Health and the Food Literacy Project. The report shows that 41 percent of students now eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day—compared to 23 percent of students when the program began. It also shows that 91 percent of students engage in [...]
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 1:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Louisville Metro Doesn’t Usually Fine Property Owners For Snow-Covered, Slippery Sidewalks
from Ashley Lopez
A week ago, a winter storm dumped several inches of snow across Louisville—and many sidewalks across the city are still covered in snow and ice. Related StoryOn Instagram: Louisville Shovels Out of the SnowHere’s one possible reason: Louisville Metro doesn’t actively fine people who don’t follow a local snow removal ordinance. According to metro ordinance 97.113: It shall be the duty of all persons and corporations owning or occupying property abutting a public street in Louisville Metro to remove within 24 hours thereafter such snow as may fall on the sidewalks in front of their property.  Where the property is unimproved or unoccupied this duty [...]
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 12:12:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Westerfield posts candidate financial disclosure forms
Republican Whitney Westerfield is posting his candidate financial disclosure information online in his race for Kentucky attorney general.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 9:19:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky House approves plan to borrow $3.3 billion to shore up teachers' pension system
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Although some Republican lawmakers warned against taking on so much debt, House Speaker Greg Stumbo — the plan's sponsor — described the vote as essentially being for or against schoolteachers.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 2:34:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
In surprise vote, Kentucky Senate panel approves limits on transgender students' choices
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
Without providing much notice, the Senate Education Committee on Monday night voted 8-1 to require transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their biological sex or to seek special…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 1:52:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Commission to Consider Permit for Kentucky’s First Deep Horizontal Natural Gas Well
from Erica Peterson
A state commission that rarely meets will hold a public hearing this week on the first potential permit for deep horizontal natural gas drilling in Kentucky. A company called Horizontal Technology Energy Company is proposing a deep horizontal well in Johnson County, Kentucky. The company is an offshoot of the Pittsburgh-based energy giant EQT, and its interest in the area suggests that more operators could soon begin arriving to drill. The permit in question would drill into the Conasauga Group, which is part of the Rogersville Shale formation. Last month, WFPL reported on increased interest and speculation in the Rogersville Shale, which [...]
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 1:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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