Friday, October 30, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Gubernatorial candidates share stage, messages for the final time ahead of Tuesday's election

10/29/2015 08:50 PM
OWENSBORO — After locking horns for months in a grueling campaign to become Kentucky’s next governor, Democrat Jack Conway and Republican Matt Bevin made their final joint appearance as candidates Thursday at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Red, White and Blue Picnic. About 300 descended on the lawn of the Daviess County Courthouse to hear candidates for constitutional offices make some of their final pitches ahead of Tuesday’s election, and the gubernatorial candidates’ remarks offered a stark contrast. Bevin, the first... Read more 

Jack Conway invokes west Kentucky roots on campaign trail

10/29/2015 08:01 PM
POWDERLY — Although he hails from Louisville, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Conway touched on his family’s history in the western part of the state during a campaign stop in Muhlenberg County, where he addressed about 75 retired mine workers on Thursday. Before launching into his campaign platform, Conway spoke of his family history in nearby Union County, where he father grew up on a farm and his uncle ran a seed business. The Democrat continued to press his campaign talking points before... Read more 

Down ticket GOP candidates Ball, Quarles wage last minute push to reach voters

10/29/2015 04:46 PM
SHELBYVILLE – With just days remaining before the November 3 election, GOP candidate for commissioner of agriculture Ryan Quarles, and treasurer candidate Allison Ball were in Shelbyville Thursday as part of their plan to crisscross the state meeting voters. In a new Bluegrass Poll, released on Wednesday, Quarles led Democrat opponent Jean-Marie Lawson Spann 40 percent to 33 percent. Compared to a Bluegrass Poll released a month ago, Quarles has seen his lead grow in the poll from three percentage... Read more 

Rep. Brad Montell will not seek re-election

10/29/2015 04:19 PM
SHELBYVILLE – Longtime State Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, announced Tuesday that he would not seek re-election to the 58th District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Montell, 58, who was first elected to the chamber in 2002, and took office in January 2003, will serve out his 7th term in office before stepping down. Montell simply felt that after 14 years, it was time to retire. “I’ve toyed with this thought for several years now knowing that the time was getting close,”... Read more 

Matt Bevin goes on air with campaign closing spot denouncing negative ads against him

10/29/2015 12:25 PM
Republican candidate for governor Matt Bevin is closing out his campaign with a direct to camera television ad promoting his outsider image and going after Democratic candidate Jack Conway’s negative ads against him. The ad, titled: “Vote” promotes Bevin as a “fresh start for Kentucky” and attempts to draw contrast with Conway, who is wrapping up his second term in office as Attorney General. “Jack Conway is spending millions lying about me. It’s all he’s got,” Bevin says in the... Read more 

Sabato's Crystal Ball moves governor's race to "leans Democratic"

10/29/2015 10:47 AM
With just days until Kentuckians head to the polls, the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ “Sabato’s Crystal Ball” has moved Kentucky’s gubernatorial election from “toss-up to leans Democratic.” Citing polling, candidate performance and the temperament of Republican nominee Matt Bevin, Sabato’s Crystal Ball managing editor Kyle Kondik, says the race favors Democratic candidate Jack Conway. “If Bevin loses, he, and the Republican Party both in Kentucky and nationally, will have squandered a golden opportunity,” Kondik said. Even though the... Read more 
After Historic Year, American Pharoah Aims For History One Last Time
from Rick Howlett
Saturday afternoon in Lexington, a thoroughbred champion will run in his final race. For many people, American Pharoah has already accomplished a feat previously unseen in their lifetime: The thoroughbred is the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. On Saturday, he could take an unprecedented leap into the history books by winning the Breeders Cup Classic. American Pharoah will seek to end his racing career at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington with a flourish. In what some have dubbed racing’s Grand Slam, the 3-year-old colt will attempt to become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic. The [...]
Fri, Oct 30, 2015 12:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
What a 21-Candidate Field For District Judge Means For Louisville Voters
from Jacob Ryan
When voters head to the polls next week, they’ll see three names on the ballot for governor and two apiece for other statewide offices — and 21 candidates for one Jefferson District Court judge slot. The winner from among the cluttered field will fill the seat left vacant earlier this year by the retirement of 30th District Judge Michelle Stengel. Her retirement about a year into her four-year term “created a unique circumstance,” said Scott Furkin, executive director of the Louisville Bar Association. The vacancy occurred after a primary election could be scheduled, so there was no opportunity to trim the field to just two candidates, [...]
Fri, Oct 30, 2015 11:03:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Runyon: A Stroll Through Halloweens Past
from Keith Runyon
Most days I find myself driving down Hillcrest Avenue in Crescent Hill. It’s a handsome street, with many early 20th century homes. At some point, residents there decided they would also become “Holiday Lane.” They celebrate by decorating their houses and yards. Halloween is the big one, and they begin preparing for it about the time the temperature mercifully drops below 90 degrees. Skeletons, witches, zombies, pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, and Jack-o-lanterns line the Hillcrest blocks. The decorations are often extravagant. Visitors wander up and down all hours of the day or night. But it’s best as dusk falls, and the moon [...]
Fri, Oct 30, 2015 9:59:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Bevin and Conway play nice in their last joint appearance
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
OWENSBORO — It was a rarity in the 2015 Kentucky governor's race — Jack Conway and Matt Bevin spoke to a crowd and avoided taking direct shots at each other.Click to Continue » [...]
Fri, Oct 30, 2015 12:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Bluegrass Poll: Voters deeply divided over fate of Kim Davis and Kentucky's marriage licenses
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Kentuckians are evenly divided over what the General Assembly should do about Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis and the state's marriage license system when it convenes in January, according to…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 10:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Grimes enters final days of re-election campaign in strong position against GOP challenger
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
When Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes lost a bid for the U.S. Senate last November against Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell, a guessing game began about her political future.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 4:36:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Thursday, October 29, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Big pension funding requests looming for the General Assembly in next year's budget-writing session

10/28/2015 10:28 PM
FRANKFORT — Lawmakers will be asked to shell out more money for both pension systems in the upcoming budget session. Representatives of the Kentucky Retirement Systems and the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System presented their preliminary spending requests to the Interim Joint Committee on State Government on Wednesday. KRS Executive Director Bill Thielen — who received a more than 25 percent raise from the KRS Board of Trustees on Friday to call off his retirement, according to reports by The Courier-Journal ... Read more 

Chatter: Conway hold 5-point lead on Bevin in Bluegrass Poll; RGA drops $1M in final week

10/28/2015 09:06 PM
The last public gubernatorial survey from Bluegrass Poll partners shows Democratic candidate Jack Conway maintaining a slim lead over Republican candidate Matt Bevin. The poll, conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the Lexington Herald-Leader, WKYT-TV, the Louisville Courier-Journal, and WHAS-TV, shows Conway leading Bevin 45 percent to 40 percent. Independent candidate Drew Curtis has dropped in polling with 6 percent of the vote, and 10 percent of the survey’s respondents were undecided. The poll survey 798 likely voters between Oct.... Read more 

Matt Bevin picks up support from Ky. Pastors in Action Coalition for pro-charter school stance

10/28/2015 08:52 PM
Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin has earned the support of the Kentucky Pastors in Action Coalition for his stance on charter schools, urging a crowd of about 30 in Louisville’s West End on Wednesday to vote based on their values and not their party affiliations. Pastor Jerry Stephenson of Midwest Church of Christ pointed to failing schools in that particular area of Louisville in making the case for charter schools during a gathering at Feed the City. He said almost 2,000... Read more 

Lawmakers, outside groups voice concerns over KentuckyWired; Kentucky Communications Network Authority moving forward with project

10/28/2015 07:15 PM
Kentucky is embarking on a major effort to provide high-speed Internet access across the commonwealth, but the process has some lawmakers and outside groups questioning privacy, oversight and the how the entity will operate. The project known as KentuckyWired, also referred to as an I-Way, is the brainchild of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and Gov. Steve Beshear. The end goal of the project is to create a state-owned physical fiber-optic network that will stretch 3,400 miles in a ring around the... Read more 
EPA Workshop Puts Focus On Environmental Justice In Kentucky
from Erica Peterson
Environmental Protection Agency representatives will be in Louisville Friday for a workshop on environmental justice designed for people on every side of the issue. Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment of everyone, regardless of race or income, on environmental issues. Historically, many environmental issues in the U.S. have disproportionately affected people of color and low-income residents. Daphne Wilson is a pollution prevention coordinator with the EPA’s Region 4. She said the workshop is customized for Kentucky and is meant for everyone from regulators to industry representatives to concerned residents. The workshop will cover the best practices for addressing environmental justice concerns, reasons [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 11:55:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Installing Speed Museum’s 24-Foot Aluminum ‘Wishbone’ No Small Task
from Tara Anderson
When you need to move a 24-foot-long aluminum wishbone, you call in the professionals. The Speed Art Museum is nearing the end of a massive $50 million renovation and expansion project, with the reopening several months away. While the weather is still mild, museum staff is working on the installation of several large outdoor pieces in what will become a new art park, on a slice of lawn along Third Street, near the entrance to the original 1927 building at the University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus. On a recent afternoon, sculptor Mark Handforth’s “Wishbone,” wrapped in blue tarp, was being held up by heavy chains [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 11:03:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Legislators Propose New Transparency Measures For Troubled Kentucky Pensions
from James McNair
Frustrated by the lack of legislative oversight in the state’s struggling pension systems, two Republican lawmakers say they are introducing a bill to make the agencies more transparent. State Rep. Mike Harmon of Danville and Sen. Joe Bowen of Owensboro want to give four non-voting seats on the KRS board of trustees to members of the General Assembly and to require KRS contracts to undergo legislative review. They announced their intentions five days after the KRS board gave its executive director, Bill Thielen, a contract calling for a 25 percent raise — to $215,000 a year — over nearly three years. Harmon [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 9:55:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Analysis: Bush comeback strategy backfires in GOP debate
Jeb Bush sought to calm anxious donors with a comeback strategy focused on taking down rival Marco Rubio. But Bush's plan backfired badly on national television in the third GOP…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 7:33:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
GOP debate takeaways: Rubio-Bush rumble, Trump largely quiet
Celebrity businessman Donald Trump was again center stage as the Republican presidential field gathered Wednesday night for the third debate of the 2016 campaign, but for the first time, the…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 2:59:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
AP FACT CHECK: The Republican debaters and the facts
Ben Carson pitched a tax plan with numbers that didn't add up. Donald Trump boasted that he's paying his own way in the campaign, but he isn't. Chris Christie accused…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 29, 2015 12:54:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Officials say a $1.8 million upgrade needed for Kentucky Registry of Election Finance filing system 

10/27/2015 04:17 PM
FRANKFORT – The filing system for the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance is in need of an upgrade to make the entire reporting system more efficient and to avoid a possible breakdown. That was the warning from Kentucky Registry of Election Finance Executive Director John Steffen on Tuesday to members of the Interim Joint Committee on State Government Task Force on Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs. Steffen says that the old system, implemented in the 1990’s, is becoming obsolete and the... Read more 

Conway holds financial edge on Bevin after dumping $2.3M on TV in latest campaign finance reporting period

10/27/2015 02:10 PM
After pouring more than $2.3 million on Kentucky airwaves in the 17 days since his last filing the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, the financial gap between Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway and Republican Matt Bevin narrowed considerably in their 15-day, pre-election reports to KREF. Holding a more than 3-to-1 edge in his 32-day, pre-election campaign finance filing, Conway reported a more than 2-to-1 monetary advantage over Bevin with $806,315 in cash on hand compared to $341,440 about two weeks ahead... Read more 

Democratic candidate Rick Nelson focuses on coal country roots in run for state treasurer

10/27/2015 10:51 AM
Democratic candidate for state treasurer Rick Nelson is promoting his candidacy with an advertisement focused on his roots in eastern Kentucky and work in the legislature. Nelson, a state representative from Middlesboro, is counting on his connection to coal country and support from public school teachers in the election. The campaign began running their ad in early October with the spot airing in the eastern Kentucky portion of the state, in the west in the Bowling Green TV market,... Read more 
LISTEN: In New Memoir, Barry Moser Explores Family, Racism and Reconciliation
from James Bickers
Illustrator and artist Barry Moser grew up with his brother, Tommy, in their Tennessee home. They shared a bedroom and went to the same school. And both grew up in an environment deeply influenced by racism and anti-Semitism. Those racist feelings stayed with Tommy throughout his life, but not with Barry. It led to a deep divide that pulled the brothers apart for decades. In his new memoir “We Were Brothers,” Moser tells of his relationship with his brother. He recently spoke with WFPL News about the roots of racism, and a life spent trying to weed them out. “I don’t think that racism [...]
Wed, Oct 28, 2015 12:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
For Pedestrians, Dixie Highway Fixes Can’t Come Soon Enough
from Jacob Ryan
David Smith was squeezed between morning rush-hour traffic on Dixie Highway and a rush of vehicles hurrying down a Watterson Expressway off ramp. He was in a precarious place. It was raining Tuesday, and Smith stood on a patch of trampled grass as he waited for a break in the fast-moving traffic. The perilous crossing was part of a miles-long walk from his Blanton Lane home to the Shively-Newman Library to scan job listings and check in with out-of-state family via Facebook. Smith, 47, makes this walk frequently; he doesn’t own a vehicle. He gets around by walking, riding a bike or hopping onto a [...]
Wed, Oct 28, 2015 11:03:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Republicans Move Caucus Plans Forward
from Ashley Lopez
Preparations for Kentucky Republicans’ March 5 presidential caucus are officially underway. And first things first: They’ve hired a director to help coordinate with various county party chairs who will be tasked with carrying out their respective caucus events. Republican Party of Kentucky Executive Director Mike Biagi said Brad Clapp, a financial adviser from Paducah, has been selected for the job. According to Clapp’s online resume, he worked with the Kentucky GOP during the 2008 election. “We’ve hired a presidential caucus director whose sole focus is to help county parties implement the caucus and do the things that we need to do as a state party to [...]
Wed, Oct 28, 2015 9:55:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Steve Beshear blasts Matt Bevin for threatening to end Kynect and roll back Medicaid expansion
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear on Tuesday sharply criticized Matt Bevin, the Republican who hopes to succeed him, for calling Kynect "a disaster" and pledging to eliminate it if elected next…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 8:59:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Conway raised more than $900,000 in October, outspends Bevin
Democrat Jack Conway raised more than $900,000 in the first two weeks of October to increase his fundraising lead over Republican Matt Bevin by $5 million.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 3:08:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Interruptions, accusations and laughter as Bevin and Conway square off in last debate
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
The debate, hosted by KET, was marked by the same sharp exchanges between the candidates that have defined the race, and it was clear early that Republican Matt Bevin wanted…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 2:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Tensions boil over in final debate between Conway, Bevin ahead of Nov. 3 election

10/26/2015 11:44 PM
LEXINGTON — Sitting mere feet from one another in their final gubernatorial debate televised on KET Monday evening, tensions between Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway and Republican Matt Bevin spilled into public view as they tussled on issues like public pensions, health care and the state’s economy. Conway often laughed aloud during Bevin’s responses and interjections, drawing animated reactions from the GOP candidate as the Democrat sat, at times, with a forced grin on his face. Both argued simultaneously, drawing moderator Bill... Read more 

GOP treasurer candidate Allison Ball launches first two ads targeting voters

10/26/2015 08:58 PM
Republican candidate for treasurer Allison Ball went on the air with two ads on Monday one focused statewide and the other targeting eastern Kentucky voters. Ball, a Prestonsburg bankruptcy attorney, is running a statewide introductory ad titled: “Get to Work” which focuses on introducing her and her plan for more transparency and fiscal conservatism in Frankfort. At the same time Ball has launched a second campaign ad titled: “Raised in the Mountains,” which is airing in Eastern Kentucky and features... Read more 

TIMELINE | Drew Curtis General Election Campaign in Review

10/26/2015 08:42 AM
Primary 2015 – October 25  Read more 

TIMELINE | Jack Conway General Election Campaign in Review

10/26/2015 08:42 AM
Primary 2015 – October 25  Read more 

TIMELINE | Matt Bevin General Election Campaign in Review

10/26/2015 08:41 AM
Primary 2015 – October 25  Read more 

Bevin, Conway face off in fiesty debate at Eastern Kentucky University

10/25/2015 10:26 PM
RICHMOND — Gubernatorial candidates Republican Matt Bevin and Democratic candidate Jack Conway met on the same stage for an hour long debate that featured the some of the sharpest exchanges of the general election. With eight days until Kentuckians choose their next governor Bevin and Conway sparred over healthcare, marijuana before a crowd of onlookers Sunday night at the Center for the Arts on the campus as Eastern Kentucky University. Bevin, who has been trailing in public polling, went on the offensive... Read more 

Democrats focus on late statesman at Wendell Ford Memorial Dinner, rouse supporters ahead of Election Day

10/24/2015 03:50 PM
LEXINGTON — The Kentucky Democratic Party’s Wendell Ford Memorial Dinner drew about 300 to the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday evening, hoping to fire up the party faithful will just more than a week until election day. While speakers at the stump appealed to those in attendance to help their campaigns in the coming days, most who took the podium shared some of their best stories and memories of Ford, who passed in January after battling lung cancer. Twenty-five members of... Read more 
In Metro Council Special Election, Two Candidates Who Agree On A Lot
from Ashley Lopez
Residents of Louisville Metro Council District 10 — which includes parts of the Highlands, Germantown, Camp Taylor and Buechel — will elect a new council member next week. And while the two men running for the seat once held by the late council President Jim King don’t stray too far from one other on key issues facing the city, they do differ in experience and approach. The seat is now filled by Democrat Steve Magre, who was appointed following King’s death in January. Although Magre was chosen by the Metro Council to fill the seat until November’s special election, the Jefferson County Democratic Party had earlier chosen assistant county [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 11:04:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Candidates Bicker Through Final Governor’s Debate
from Ryland Barton
The two major-party candidates for governor spent the majority of their hourlong final debate on KET Monday night scrapping over differing facts and figures on issues such as the state’s Medicaid program, the ailing pension system and the job climate. But their discourteous manner seemed to overshadow what have become go-to answers for each candidate. Republican Matt Bevin interrupted Democrat Jack Conway frequently, while Conway often chuckled to deflect criticisms from Bevin. Each used tones that seemed disrespectful to the other. They broke no new policy ground. Still, each hinted that the state will likely have to make budget cuts to meet future obligations. “There is going to have to [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 2:53:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Interruptions, accusations and laughter as Bevin and Conway square off in last debate
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
The debate, hosted by KET, was marked by the same sharp exchanges between the candidates that have defined the race, and it was clear early that Republican Matt Bevin wanted…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 2:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Bevin, Conway attack each other in final televised debate
Kentucky's candidates for governor exchanged attacks both personal and professional Monday night during their final televised appearance together a little more than a week before the election.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 27, 2015 1:03:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Beshear sent names of three finalists for Kentucky's economic development chief
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
Gov. Steve Beshear must decide whether to pick a new economic development secretary for the state before he leaves office Dec. 8 or leave that decision to the next governor.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Oct 26, 2015 10:37:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Shakespeare To Present Italy-Centric Season
from Tara Anderson
The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s next season will include an indoor presentation for the first time in the festival’s history. The company announced its new season on Monday. In January, Kentucky Shakespeare will present the Shakespeare comedy “Twelfth Night” at the Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theatre. Tickets for “Twelfth Night” will cost $20; the production will serve as a fundraiser for the free summer season. This summer, the season at Central Park features three Shakespeare plays set in Italy: “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Kentucky Shakespeare Artistic Director Matt Wallace will direct the ‘Twelfth Night” production. He said it’s [...]
Mon, Oct 26, 2015 9:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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