Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


President Barack Obama set to talk economy in Louisville on Thursday

03/30/2015 06:08 PM
President Barack Obama is scheduled to appear in Louisville Thursday, the White House announced on Monday. Obama will visit Indatus, a communications and software development company, to discuss the economy, according to the White House. Kentucky has proven infertile ground in Obama’s two presidential campaigns, twice losing handily to Republican candidates U.S. Sen John McCain of Arizona and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Thursday will mark the first time Obama has visited the state since 2011, when the president stopped in Covington... Read more 

Kentucky's rural hospitals faring worse than others across the U.S., nine-month audit finds

03/30/2015 03:46 PM
FRANKFORT — Reiterating that his review of Kentucky’s network of rural hospitals is not a “rebuke” against Medicaid managed care or the Affordable Care Act, Auditor Adam Edelen called on Monday for the creation of a panel to better monitor the fiscal wellbeing of rural medical facilities as federal health reforms solidify. Edelen hopes his nine-month review of the state’s 66 rural hospitals, which provide care for an estimated 45 percent of Kentucky’s population, will provide a “baseline” for tracking progress... Read more 
Metro Council Committee OKs Tax Break To Lure New Luxury Apartments To Butchertown
from Ashley Lopez
Proposed luxury apartments in Butchertown may get some help from the city. Louisville Metro Council’s Labor and Economic Development Committee signed off on a plan last week that would give a tax break for a new building between Main and Clay streets housing 263 luxury apartments. Jeff Mosely, the deputy chief of Louisville Forward, told council members the plan amounts to a local tax abatement of as much as $4.4 million dollars over 20 years or about $220,000 a year. He said the city is looking at multiple urban housing projects right now. Mosely said city officials want to bring more people downtown for economic [...]
Tue, Mar 31, 2015 11:06:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky has religious freedom law similar to one causing furor ahead of Final Four in Indiana
from lblackford@herald-leader.com (Linda B. Blackford)
Two years after Kentucky lawmakers passed a religious freedom law, it has been cited in an appeal of a long-running discrimination case in Lexington.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Mar 30, 2015 10:28:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Sam Youngman: A critical look at Rand Paul and 'winnability'
Rand Paul likes to say that the Republican Party should follow the advice of painter Robert Henri, who said people should "paint like a man coming over a hill singing."Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Mar 30, 2015 10:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate Comer Calls For Reducing Medicaid Rolls, Repealing Obamacare
from Ryland Barton
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jamie Comer says he wants Kentuckians off Medicaid and onto private insurance. At a press conference on Monday, the state agriculture commissioner said if he became governor he would work to decrease the number of people on Medicaid by changing the eligibility requirements in the state. He also called for Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act. About 400,000 Kentuckians have signed up for Medicaid coverage since eligibility was expanded in 2013. About 25 percent of Kentuckians are now eligible for Medicaid coverage. Related StoryRural Kentucky Hospitals Struggling Because of Decline in Private Insurance, State Audit SaysComer endorsed a report released Monday [...]
Mon, Mar 30, 2015 8:56:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Rural Kentucky Hospitals Struggling Because of Decline in Private Insurance, State Audit Says
from Ryland Barton
An increase in Medicaid services and a decline in the private insurance market in rural Kentucky has hit rural hospitals hard, according to State Auditor Adam Edelen. More than two-thirds of Kentucky’s rural hospitals are below the national average on a financial strength rating system, and more than one-third are considered to be in poor financial health, according to a report released Monday. At a press conference, Edelen said rural hospitals used to assume that many clients would be covered by private insurance, which reimburses hospitals more handsomely than Medicaid. “That helps you balance out your government-insured customers,” Edelen said. “When that disappears it becomes [...]
Mon, Mar 30, 2015 8:49:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Comer breaks with field on 'Obamacare,' unveils plan to live with 'rule of law'
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
While proclaiming President Barack Obama's health care law "the worst piece of legislation in my lifetime," Kentucky gubernatorial candidate James Comer unveiled a health care policy platform Monday that assumes…Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Mar 30, 2015 8:23:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Monday, March 30, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Boone County becomes largest county in the state to adopt right-to-work

03/28/2015 09:14 AM
BURLINGTON – On March 17, Boone County became the 11th county in the commonwealth to adopt a local right-to-work ordinance in a unanimous vote by the Boone County Fiscal Court. Boone County is the largest county in the state to pass such an ordinance, and the first in Northern Kentucky. The ordinance allows individuals to choose not to join a union and pay dues without being penalized or losing their jobs. The new ordinance would apply to labor contracts and re-negotiations effective... Read more 

GOP candidates talk heroin, education and public-private partnerships at N. Ky. Chamber forum

03/27/2015 04:57 PM
ERLANGER – The four GOP candidates for governor gathered in Northern Kentucky on Friday to make their pitch to Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce members and local officials as to why they should be the next governor. Topics ranged from how to improve education in the state to addressing the heroin epidemic. While all four candidates, entrepreneur Matt Bevin, Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer, Louisville businessman and former councilman Hal Heiner and former State Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott, applauded the... Read more 

Head of teachers’ pension wants special session for $3.3B bonding plan

03/27/2015 08:53 AM
FRANKFORT — After falling short in its bid for $3.3 billion in bonds to shore up its finances, the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System may request a special session to reconsider the proposal. Citing the “magnitude” of the $14 billion in unfunded pension liabilities that will quickly grow to $21.6 billion by July 1 without a funding plan, KTRS Executive Secretary Gary Harbin said Thursday the KTRS Board of Trustees has directed him to have external analysts look at the financial situation... Read more 
After laying low on expanded gambling, Kentucky lawmaker plans push in 2016
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
House Speaker Greg Stumbo filed a bill for expanded gambling during the 2015 legislative session that ended last week, but he never called for it to be heard in committee.Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Mar 29, 2015 11:12:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
In low turnout election, Republican candidates in Kentucky see young voters as secret weapon
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
While so much has been made in recent years about the importance of millennial voters who were critical to getting Obama elected, the trend hasn't really materialized in Kentucky. The…Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Mar 29, 2015 10:02:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Michigan State Ousts Louisville Cardinals From Men’s NCAA Tournament
from Associated Press
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Coach Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans capped an improbable run to the Final Four with an overtime win. Wayne Blackshear had 28 points for the Cardinals (27-9) in a game that featured 11 lead changes. Senior guard Travis Trice scored 17 points and the seventh-seeded Spartans clamped down on defense to pull out a 76-70 victory over fourth-seeded Louisville in a thrilling NCAA Tournament East Regional final Sunday. The Spartans (28-11), who were nearly counted out of the tournament conversation in February, won for the 12th time in 15 games. It’s a run that included them knocking off [...]
Sun, Mar 29, 2015 9:32:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Strange Fruit: Grassroots Activists Bring Juneteenth Festival Back to Louisville
from Laura Ellis
This week we introduce you to a new member of the WFPL newsroom, politics reporter Ashley Lopez. Ashley joins us to talk about Indiana’s controversial “religious freedom” act, Louisville’s attempt to appeal to LGBT tourists, and a recent poll showing Kentucky’s opposition to marriage equality. We also hear Ashley’s recent report on the Kentucky marriage equality case that will go before the Supreme Court late next month. She fills us in on where that case stands, who might make oral arguments, what experts think will be the outcome, and she introduces us to some of the Kentucky plaintiffs. And a group of [...]
Sun, Mar 29, 2015 12:38:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats Hold Off Notre Dame to Reach Final Four
from Associated Press
CLEVELAND — Pushed to the brink, Kentucky’s still perfect and still playing. Andrew Harrison made two free throws with six seconds remaining, and the top-seeded Wildcats kept their unbeaten season and national title hopes intact with a 68-66 win over Notre Dame on Saturday night in the Midwest Regional final. The Wildcats (38-0) advanced to the Final Four in Indianapolis next week, where they will meet Wisconsin. It took everything Kentucky had to hold off the Fighting Irish (32-6), who came within seconds of shocking the tournament’s overwhelming favorite. Notre Dame, which has a history of stunning upsets in football and basketball, wasn’t [...]
Sun, Mar 29, 2015 3:29:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
How changes made by the 2015 General Assembly will affect your life
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves and Jack Brammer)
The 2015 General Assembly concluded its annual session last Wednesday having approved 127 bills and resolutions, many of which will affect the lives of Kentuckians. Here is where bills dealing…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Mar 28, 2015 9:26:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Friday, March 27, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Hal Heiner builds lead in third-party poll while other GOP gubernatorial candidates dismiss results

03/26/2015 07:33 PM
An external poll released Thursday shows Republican gubernatorial hopeful Hal Heiner leading the GOP pack and extending his advantage from a March 10 Bluegrass Poll to double digits. Heiner, a former Louisville Metro Council member who led with 28 percent support in this month’s Bluegrass Poll, finished with 33.4 percent backing among 601 GOP voters, according to the Mississippi-based polling firm Triumph Campaigns. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer came in second at 19.1 percent, Louisville investment manager Matt Bevin finished third... Read more 

Matt Bevin drops first radio ads in GOP gubernatorial primary

03/26/2015 01:25 PM
Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Matt Bevin is dropping two radio ads with less than two-months to go before the May 19 gubernatorial primary election. One of the two 60 second radio spots plays off of the NCAA basketball tournament and the “final four” candidates vying for the GOP nomination. MAN: Bevin’s running for Governor? WOMAN: He sure is. Bevin was the first candidate to come out with a Blueprint for a Better Kentucky, a jobs plan so good other teams are... Read more 
Louisville’s 2.8-Percent Population Growth Fueled by Suburbs
from Jacob Ryan
The Louisville Metropolitan Service Area’s population has increased by 2.8 percent since 2010, according to U.S. Census data released Thursday. Here are population changes in some of Louisville’s peer cities. Cincinatti: 1.6 percent increase Columbus: 4.9 percent increase Charlotte: 7.4 percent increase Oklahoma City: 6.7 percent increase Nashville: 7.3 percent increase Indianapolis: 4.4 percent increase About 34,000 more people are living in the metro area now than compared to about 15 years ago Matt Ruther, director of the Kentucky Data Center, said the 2.8 increase in the Louisville MSA likely would not be noticeable to residents. “Most of the growth is happening on the periphery,” he said. “If you were [...]
Fri, Mar 27, 2015 11:07:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Wildcats Beat West Virginia to Reach Elite Eight
from Associated Press
CLEVELAND — Perfect and pulverizing. Kentucky made West Virginia’s press look pathetic. Trey Lyles scored 14 points, Andrew Harrison added 13 and the unbeaten Wildcats, chasing history and a ninth national title, rolled to a 78-39 victory over the Mountaineers on Thursday night in the Midwest Regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The tourney’s top seed and an overwhelming favorite to cut down the nets next month in Indianapolis, Kentucky (37-0) advanced to Saturday’s regional final to play third-seeded Notre Dame, an 81-70 winner over Wichita State in the other semifinal. The Fighting Irish may need to call Rudy, consult with Digger Phelps [...]
Fri, Mar 27, 2015 11:03:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Somerset officials agree to let disputed state audit go forward
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
Officials from the city of Somerset and state Auditor Adam Edelen's office agreed Thursday to let an audit go forward of the city's finances and other issues.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Mar 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
KET schedules programs for May primary candidates
from Jack Brammer
"Kentucky Tonight," a weekly public affairs show on the Kentucky Educational Television network, will start on March 30 its candidate programs for the May 19 primary elections. Hosted by Bill Goodman, the programs will begin at 8 p.m. on KET and will also stream live at KET.org/live and be archived online. The scheduled candidates are: March 30 Republicans for State Treasurer - Allison Ball - State Rep. Kenneth Churchill Imes April 13 Democrats for State Treasurer - Neville Blakemore - State Rep.Rick Nelson April 20 (two-part) Republicans for Attorney General - Lawrence County Attorney Michael T. Hogan - State Sen. Whitney H. Westerfield Republicans for Commissioner of Agriculture - State Rep. Richard [...]
Thu, Mar 26, 2015 9:05:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
After Heroin Bill’s Passage, Kentucky Local Governments Begin Exploring Needle Exchanges
from Ryland Barton
Local governments are already moving to set up needle exchanges just a day after the Kentucky state legislature authorized the programs through a comprehensive heroin bill. If implemented, drug users would be able to exchange dirty needles for clean ones from local public health departments. Rice Leach, the commissioner of the Lexington-Fayette County Public Health Department, said needle exchanges would stymie the transfer of blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. “From a public health point of view it’s a perfect way to reduce the spread of diseases if not managed properly,” Leach said. “And those diseases manage to work their way into the [...]
Thu, Mar 26, 2015 8:23:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Thursday, March 26, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


2015 General Assembly had "one of the most productive sessions in recent history," Beshear says

03/25/2015 07:39 PM
FRANKFORT — In the final year of his term, Gov. Steve Beshear says lawmakers stepped up to the plate and delivered for the people of Kentucky in his last session as governor. Legislative leaders in the House and Senate agreed that key bills made it out of their chambers and onto the governor’s desk. “When you look at the laundry list of measures that are going to become law in Kentucky. Obviously, the heroin bill was a top priority for... Read more 

Gov. Beshear signs heroin bill, says legislation sends strong signals to traffickers and addicts

03/25/2015 06:30 PM
FRANKFORT — With a stroke of his pen on Wednesday, Gov. Steve Beshear enacted a comprehensive bill targeting the state’s growing heroin epidemic, making provisions such as local-option needle exchanges, expanded access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone and stiffer penalties for heroin traffickers immediately available. Senate Bill 192, which sailed through both chambers late Tuesday before the scheduled final day of the short session bled into Wednesday morning, “sends a very strong and clear message” to dealers and addicts, Beshear said... Read more 

Lawmakers walk away without action on KTRS; leaders say issue can be studied in interim

03/25/2015 11:47 AM
FRANKFORT — Legislative leaders say they will continue looking into the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System and be back at the table in the 2016 legislative session over the issue. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, told reporters that he thought the House would be back next year with a “similar proposal” to alleviate the nearly $14 billion unfunded liability at KTRS. Stumbo proposed bonding $3.3 billion for KTRS while lawmakers study the pension agency. The Senate asked for more time during... Read more 
The Bills That Failed to Pass in the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2015 Session
from Ryland Barton
The Kentucky General Assembly passed several important pieces of legislation in the just-concluded 2015 session, including a comprehensive heroin bill and a freeze to the state’s tumbling gas tax. Related StoryWith Deadline Looming, Kentucky General Assembly Passes Heroin Bill and MoreBut with the session’s snow days, missed deadlines and divisive political views, several bills got failed to make it to the finish line. Here’s a rundown of some of the legislative casualties of the 2015 Kentucky General Assembly. Teachers’ Pension System Bailout A compromise proposal to authorize $3.3 billion in bonding to bail out the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement Systems and study the program’s weaknesses failed [...]
Thu, Mar 26, 2015 10:44:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky lawmakers deliver legislative gifts to Beshear in final hours of 2015 General Assembly
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer and John Cheves)
Kentucky lawmakers delivered several legislative gifts to Gov. Steve Beshear in the final hours of this year's legislative session, including a bill to address the state's heroin epidemic.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Mar 25, 2015 9:53:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Lexington leaders planning push to start needle-exchange program for drug addicts
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
The ink from Gov. Steve Beshear's signature had barely dried on anti-heroin legislation Wednesday when Lexington leaders said their city might go first in establishing one of the bill's key…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Mar 25, 2015 8:23:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Prop 8 Attorney David Boies: Support For Same-Sex Marriage Will Grow in Kentucky and Elsewhere
from Ashley Lopez
Public opinion will flip in favor of same-sex marriage—though it will take time to happen, an attorney who helped lead the legal fight against California’s anti-same-sex union law Proposition 8 said in Louisville this week. This month, the Bluegrass Poll found opposition to same-sex marriage has grown in Kentucky from 50 percent to 57 percent since last summer. Speaking at a forum with University of Louisville law students on Tuesday, attorney David Boies said other states have set an example of how acceptance of same-sex marriage will play out in the U.S. “You have marriage equality now in Florida, in Virginia, in the Carolinas, [...]
Wed, Mar 25, 2015 6:44:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Supreme Court Revives Pregnant UPS Worker’s Discrimination Lawsuit
from NPR
The U.S. Supreme Court gave a former UPS driver another chance to show her employer discriminated against her when she was pregnant, sending the case back to a lower court. At issue is an employer’s responsibilities under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Peggy Young, a UPS driver, said the company discriminated against her when she became pregnant by not assigning her light work. The company contended that it obeyed the law because it provided light work only in certain situations; it did not single out pregnant women, the company said. (But UPS changed that policy in January, saying it tries to accommodate [...]
Wed, Mar 25, 2015 6:42:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


House, Senate roll into day 29 passing gas tax, dating violence bills

03/25/2015 01:21 AM
FRANKFORT — With ten minutes until midnight Tuesday, the state Senate moved a compromise version of a fix to the gas tax drop with a constitutional majority. The state House wrapped their voting on the measure just as the clock rolled over on 12:30 a.m., day 29 of the legislative session. The gas tax compromise would set a new gas tax floor at 26 cents per gallon. That’s lower than the current 27.6-cents-per-gallon rate but above the expected 22.1-cent-per-gallon rate... Read more 

Landmark heroin bill clears General Assembly; Gov. Beshear promises to sign SB 192 "first thing"

03/25/2015 01:15 AM
FRANKFORT — After falling frustratingly short in recent sessions, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a comprehensive package to address the state’s burgeoning heroin epidemic. Senate Bill 192 largely mirrors a compromise bill passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday, with provisions for needle-exchange programs pending approval by city and county governments, no-charge good Samaritan protections for those who report overdoses, expanded access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, and $10 million in the current fiscal year and $24 million annually thereafter to... Read more 
Louisville is Losing 54,000 Trees Each Year, Report Says
from Erica Peterson
Louisville’s shrinking tree canopy has finally been quantified. Jefferson County is losing trees at a rate of about 54,000 a year, according to a comprehensive assessment of the county’s trees scheduled to be released later this morning. If the loss continues at the current rate, combined with the threat of invasive pests like the Emerald Ash Borer, Louisville could be facing a future where only 21 percent of the city is covered by tree canopy. Canopy trees have numerous environmental benefits for cities. They help shade paved surfaces, reducing the urban heat island effect. The phenomenon causes noticeable temperature variations between warmer urban cores [...]
Wed, Mar 25, 2015 11:06:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
With Deadline Looming, Kentucky General Assembly Passes Heroin Bill and More
from Ryland Barton
State lawmakers worked into the early hours Wednesday to pass a series of bills before the Kentucky legislative session draws to a close. Lawmakers passed a comprehensive bill to address the state’s growing heroin problem, set a floor to the tumbling gas tax and extended protections domestic violence victims. Legislators blew past a midnight deadline as the two chambers went back and forth on the final passage of bills. House and Senate leaders said they were allowed to go late because the legislature had missed two days earlier in the session due to snow. Each legislative day is estimated to cost the state about $60,000. Heroin After months of [...]
Wed, Mar 25, 2015 10:30:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky lawmakers send Beshear a torrent of legislation before adjourning at 3:20 a.m.
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves and Jack Brammer)
State lawmakers adjourned at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, ending the 2015 General Assembly with a torrent of legislation headed to Gov. Steve Beshear's desk.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 24, 2015 11:15:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Senate Committee Passes Heroin Bills
from Ryland Barton
This story has been updated. A state Senate committee has passed two compromise bills aimed at tackling Kentucky’s heroin problem. The full Senate hopes to pass the bills and send them over to the House for final passage before the legislative session wraps Tuesday night. One bill is a “light” version of the heroin legislation that will serve as a backup in case the compromise bill fails at the last minute. That bill would increase funding for drug treatment, require increased reporting of heroin overdoses, and make the overdose-reversing drug naloxone more available. The other bill reflects what Senate leadership says is a compromise that House [...]
Tue, Mar 24, 2015 9:50:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
James Comer scrubs claim that Kentucky lost 50,000 jobs from campaign website
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer's claim that Kentucky had lost 50,000 jobs has disappeared from his campaign website.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 24, 2015 8:54:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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