Issues to watch in the 2016 legislative session
01/05/2016 11:37 AM
Tuesday marks the first day of the 60 -day long-session for the General Assembly — a process that will take the better part of four months — and the issues facing legislators are many. With the legislature still split there will be likely a standstill on the ideological issues of school choice, minimum wage increases and tort reforms, but there will be a series of issues where compromise is likely. Developing a spending plan The main task before the General Assembly... Read more 
Constitutional officers take oath of office in Capitol Rotunda ceremony
01/04/2016 11:33 PM
FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s five constitutional officers were sworn into office on Monday — one day before the start of the legislative session. Officials remarked on the tasks ahead, thanked family and supporters and promised Kentuckians their best effort over the next four years. Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is the lone returning constitutional officer, and she jokingly offered advice to her colleagues on the political hot and cold of the building based on tensions between the House and... Read more
Special Elections called for March 8 to replace four House members
01/04/2016 07:22 PM
A special election has been called for March 8 to replace four state House members who have won higher office and others who have been placed within Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration. Two Democrats, former Representatives John Tilley of Hopkinsville and Tanya Pullin of South Shore left their districts thanks to appointments and movement from Bevin and the GOP. Tilley was appointed by Bevin as the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet secretary in early December, a move which drew the ire... Read more
John Yarmuth files for sixth Congressional term
01/04/2016 05:40 PM
FRANKFORT – Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth has filed for re-election. The 68-year-old Yarmuth, who was first elected to represent the Louisville area in 2006, will be seeking his sixth term in office. Yarmuth has won each of his re-election campaigns by double digits. Yarmuth’s priorities have included improving education, expanded health care, benefits for veterans, finance reform, and combating gun violence. Yarmuth said that one of the chief reasons that he’s running is the fact that he didn’t want the only message that... Read more
The Chatter: Bevin, Paul make Politico's top ads of 2015; Paul tweets resolutions
01/02/2016 12:25 PM
After winning acclaim in Kentucky political circles, Gov. Matt Bevin’s campaign ad depicting Hal Heiner and James Comer as participants in a food fight has been named one of the top political spots for 2015 by Politico. Actors armed with plastic utensils and bibs marked “Heiner” and “Comer” glare from across a kids-sized table before flinging baked beans, spaghetti and other food items at each other in the ad, which was released about a week before voters hit the... Read more
Political resolutions for 2016: What Kentucky's politicos may look to accomplish in the new year
12/31/2015 05:00 PM
Save more money. Eat healthier. Get in shape. Travel. Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, and those who hold office are no different. As 2016 begins, here’s a look at what Kentucky politicos may be hoping to accomplish in the upcoming year. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: Keep the Senate in Republican hands McConnell’s landslide re-election in 2014 coincided with a GOP wave that pushed Senate Republicans into control of the chamber for the first time in Barack Obama’s presidency, picking up nine seats... Read more
The Chatter: Carly Fiorina becomes ninth to file for RPK caucus, House Dems and Bevin announce appointments
12/30/2015 04:38 PM
Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina became the ninth Republican presidential candidate to file for the Republican Party of Kentucky’s March 5 caucus, RPK announced Wednesday. Fiorina, averaging eighth in recent polling per Real Clear Politics, joins U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, New York real estate mogul Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in the contest. “Carly Fiorina is a welcome addition to our... Read more
Gov. Bevin picks former CHFS head to lead planning for new Medicaid delivery model
12/30/2015 03:37 PM
FRANKFORT — After campaigning aggressively this year on reshaping Kentucky’s Medicaid expansion, Gov. Matt Bevin laid out on Wednesday the initial stages of how he hopes to accomplish that feat by 2017. Concrete details were few at a Capitol news conference, but Bevin tabbed Mark Birdwhistell, a former Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary under Gov. Ernie Fletcher and vice president of health affairs for University of Kentucky HealthCare, with the task of assembling health experts and stakeholders to draft... Read more
Gov. Bevin reiterates support for public charter schools in meeting with Ky. pastors' coalition
12/29/2015 10:52 PM
Gov. Matt Bevin evoked the biblical tale of Moses during a meeting called by the Kentucky Pastors in Action Coalition in west Louisville on Tuesday, asking for their patience as he tries to help shepherd charter school legislation through the General Assembly. “Be patient,” Bevin said from a table at the front of Christ Temple Christian Life Center. “You have been, but think about this: Moses wandered around with the Israelites for 40 years.” His comments resonated with the audience of about... Read more
The Chatter: Former Democratic legislator switches parties, abuse of emergency funds in Morgan County, slow progress in N.Ky. heroin fight
12/29/2015 03:00 PM
Former Democratic state Rep. Robert Damron, of Nicholasville, has changed his party registration to Republican, The Courier-Journal reported Tuesday. Damron cited issues with the national Democratic Party, his belief that the Kentucky Democratic Party would skew more liberal with former Gov. Steve Beshear out of office and the fact that Jessamine County has more registered Republicans than Democrats, thus voters will have a greater say in local politics in Republican primaries than Democratic, as reasons for his departure, according to... Read more
SPECIAL: The political life and death of Gov. William Goebel
12/28/2015 07:30 PM
In early 1900 following a contentious gubernatorial election, Kentucky’s 33rd governor was sworn into office. William Goebel served just four days before succumbing to a gunshot wound he suffered outside the old state capitol building. Many argue that the months leading up to and after the assassination of the state’s only sitting governor forever changed the dynamic of Kentucky politics. Read more
Rep. Jim Gooch becomes second Democrat to join House GOP, pushing Democrats to 50-48 majority
12/28/2015 01:19 PM
UPDATED WITH GOOCH STATEMENT: State Rep. Jim Gooch became the second member of the House Democratic caucus to change his party affiliation on Monday, informing leaders of both parties in the chamber of his decision to seek re-election as a Republican earlier in the day. Gooch, of Providence, has served in the legislature since 1995, chairing the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment. In a lengthy statement, Gooch said he informed House Speaker Greg Stumbo and House Minority Floor Leader... Read more
Kentucky trailing national averages in economic statistics, middle-of-the-pack among border states, chamber report shows
12/27/2015 08:00 AM
Kentucky has trailed the rest of the country in employment and wage growth from the lowest point of the economic recession, although the state has outperformed many of its neighbors in the same categories, according to an analysis by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s report, completed by University of Louisville professor emeritus and consultant Paul Coomes, found that Kentucky’s employment grew by 7.4 percent from June 2009 to June 2015, lagging the 8.4 percent average nationally. Wages and salaries... Read more
Conway's last press conference as attorney general focuses on "centerpiece" of public office, political platform
12/24/2015 12:31 PM
FRANKFORT — Attorney General Jack Conway approached the podium for what will likely be his final press conference with a couple dozen staffers and a handful of media on Wednesday, wishing those gathered in the attorney general’s conference room a merry Christmas and a blessed 2016 as he closes the book on eight years in office. Conway’s preparing for a new career path out of the public light, but if he had his druthers, the Democrat would be gearing up for... Read more
Issues to watch in the 2016 legislative session
01/05/2016 11:37 AM
Tuesday marks the first day of the 60 -day long-session for the General Assembly — a process that will take the better part of four months — and the issues facing legislators are many. With the legislature still split there will be likely a standstill on the ideological issues of school choice, minimum wage increases and tort reforms, but there will be a series of issues where compromise is likely. Developing a spending plan The main task before the General Assembly... Read more
Constitutional officers take oath of office in Capitol Rotunda ceremony
01/04/2016 11:33 PM
FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s five constitutional officers were sworn into office on Monday — one day before the start of the legislative session. Officials remarked on the tasks ahead, thanked family and supporters and promised Kentuckians their best effort over the next four years. Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is the lone returning constitutional officer, and she jokingly offered advice to her colleagues on the political hot and cold of the building based on tensions between the House and... Read more
Special Elections called for March 8 to replace four House members
01/04/2016 07:22 PM
A special election has been called for March 8 to replace four state House members who have won higher office and others who have been placed within Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration. Two Democrats, former Representatives John Tilley of Hopkinsville and Tanya Pullin of South Shore left their districts thanks to appointments and movement from Bevin and the GOP. Tilley was appointed by Bevin as the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet secretary in early December, a move which drew the ire... Read more
John Yarmuth files for sixth Congressional term
01/04/2016 05:40 PM
FRANKFORT – Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth has filed for re-election. The 68-year-old Yarmuth, who was first elected to represent the Louisville area in 2006, will be seeking his sixth term in office. Yarmuth has won each of his re-election campaigns by double digits. Yarmuth’s priorities have included improving education, expanded health care, benefits for veterans, finance reform, and combating gun violence. Yarmuth said that one of the chief reasons that he’s running is the fact that he didn’t want the only message that... Read more
The Chatter: Bevin, Paul make Politico's top ads of 2015; Paul tweets resolutions
01/02/2016 12:25 PM
After winning acclaim in Kentucky political circles, Gov. Matt Bevin’s campaign ad depicting Hal Heiner and James Comer as participants in a food fight has been named one of the top political spots for 2015 by Politico. Actors armed with plastic utensils and bibs marked “Heiner” and “Comer” glare from across a kids-sized table before flinging baked beans, spaghetti and other food items at each other in the ad, which was released about a week before voters hit the... Read more
Political resolutions for 2016: What Kentucky's politicos may look to accomplish in the new year
12/31/2015 05:00 PM
Save more money. Eat healthier. Get in shape. Travel. Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, and those who hold office are no different. As 2016 begins, here’s a look at what Kentucky politicos may be hoping to accomplish in the upcoming year. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: Keep the Senate in Republican hands McConnell’s landslide re-election in 2014 coincided with a GOP wave that pushed Senate Republicans into control of the chamber for the first time in Barack Obama’s presidency, picking up nine seats... Read more
The Chatter: Carly Fiorina becomes ninth to file for RPK caucus, House Dems and Bevin announce appointments
12/30/2015 04:38 PM
Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina became the ninth Republican presidential candidate to file for the Republican Party of Kentucky’s March 5 caucus, RPK announced Wednesday. Fiorina, averaging eighth in recent polling per Real Clear Politics, joins U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, New York real estate mogul Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in the contest. “Carly Fiorina is a welcome addition to our... Read more
The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District is ready to start working on long-term plans aimed at tackling flooding issues in the city. The year-long city workgroup held its final meeting Monday. After various heavy rain events early in 2015, Mayor Greg Fischer appointed the workgroup to find ways to deal with a rising level of rain-related property damage. At the time, dozens of Louisville homeowners were stuck with flood-damaged homes that they were prohibited from repairing because of a little-known city ordinance. The workgroup included Louisville Metro Council members, city administrators and MSD officials. As a result of ongoing recommendations, city lawmakers changed a local flood ordinance [...]
Tue, Jan 05, 2016 12:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Four special elections in March could alter the political landscape of Kentucky state government, furthering the Republican Party’s lunge for control of the state House. The elections on March 8 will be for four state House seats in districts surrounding Hopkinsville, South Shore, Danville and Georgetown. The seats were vacated by two Republicans and two Democrats. As the General Assembly’s 2016 legislative session begins today, Democrats hold 50 seats and Republicans hold 46. Republicans, who have not controlled the state House since the 1920s, could evenly divide the 100-member House with victories in the special elections. All 100 seats are up for reelection in November. Momentum [...]
Tue, Jan 05, 2016 12:03:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
State lawmakers convene in Frankfort today to begin a 60-day haul of debating, considering and possibly enacting legislation. They’ll do so under the close watch of a new governor — Matt Bevin, only the second Republican to hold the office in more than four decades — and a public curious to know whether the conservative policies that are trending throughout the South will soon arrive in Kentucky. In the spirit of public involvement, then, we offer a couple ways to get caught up. If you’ve got three minutes, give this conversation between Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Ryland Barton and WFPL’s Stephen George — in which they [...]
Tue, Jan 05, 2016 10:55:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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