Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Oldham County targets both exceptional and at-risk students for academic success

12/09/2014 09:45 AM Don Weber
BUCKNER — Oldham County Schools have traditionally been one of the top performing districts in the state, having received a distinguished rating and ranked 7th overall in the state in the 2013/ 2014 Kentucky Department of Education rankings. Even though Oldham County is a strong performing school district, administrators admit that one of the keys in the districts overall success is that all students, even at-risk students with some barriers, are targeted through innovative programs to achieve academic success. One program... Read more 

Rep. Westrom, Sen.-elect Adams will sponsor statewide smoking bans in 2015

12/08/2014 04:47 PM Kevin Wheatley
LEXINGTON — For the fifth consecutive year, state Rep. Susan Westrom willl file a bill that would ban smoking in bars, restaurants and workplaces across the state. The issue has another advocate in state Sen.-elect Julie Raque Adams, who said arguments against a similar ban in Louisville have not come to fruition. Westrom blamed House Democratic leaders last year after a statewide smoking ban failed to receive a floor vote in the chamber, but Adams, a state representative who was... Read more 

Shrinking reimbursement from insurance threatening outlook for rural hospitals

12/08/2014 02:18 PM Don Weber
LEXINGTON — Rural hospitals in Kentucky are facing some of the biggest challenges in their histories and some may be forced to close their doors state auditor Adam Edelen told the Kentucky Chamber on Monday. Edelen, who will be releasing an audit on the plight on the states rural hospitals in January, told members of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce who were attending their annual legislative preview conference, that the difficult economy and managed care are the primary drivers of... Read more 

Senate Republican leaders named lieutenant governor candidate Chris McDaniel of Kenton County on Monday to head the chamber's powerful budget committee.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Dec 08, 2014 11:29:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Legislative committee hears proposals to allow more high school students to earn college credits.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Dec 08, 2014 11:26:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Here's the official list of all Republican appointments made to the Kentucky Senate standing committees Monday by Senate Republican leaders. [...]
Mon, Dec 08, 2014 11:20:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Monday, December 8, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Sunday Chatter: McConnell meets with Ky. House GOP ahead of '16; Paul talks pot

12/07/2014 10:01 PM  Nick Storm
With more three weeks left of 2014 House Republicans met up with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, on Saturday to talk strategy before the 2016 House races. The Lexington Herald-Leader first reported McConnell’s meeting with members of the House Republican caucus who again came up short in their hopes to flip the state House — the lone Democratically held chamber in the south. As Pure Politics first reported in late November House Republicans formed a committee to identify potential... Read more 

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell plans to limit EPA funding, hopes to find consensus on taxes and other issues

12/06/2014 01:43 PM Kevin Wheatley
With Congress facing a deadline to fund the federal government next week, Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell again pledged on Saturday he would not risk a government shutdown once Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate in January. But the incoming Senate majority leader said he would hold President Barack Obama’s administration accountable throughout budget negotiations, particularly by limiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to implement new regulations. McConnell spoke to Kentucky Farm Bureau members during the group’s annual meeting at... Read more 

Incoming U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell met privately with about 35 Republican members of the Kentucky House Saturday to begin plotting the GOP's next attempt at taking control of…Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Dec 07, 2014 12:57:00 AM, Continue reading at the source


Elisabeth Jensen, a Lexington Democrat who ran for Congress this year, spoke with the Herald-Leader last week about that experience. Some of the questions and answers have been shortened for…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Dec 06, 2014 9:25:00 PM, Continue reading at the source


Here's what it's like to run for Congress: You sit in a small room for at least 30 hours a week and you stare out the window at a parking…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Dec 06, 2014 9:24:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Friday, December 5, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Quarles says his focus will be on expanding Ky.'s int'l ag reach and EPA in ag commissioner campaign

12/05/2014 09:48 AM Nick Storm
Calling the position of agriculture commissioner a “childhood dream,” Rep. Ryan Quarles, R-Georgetown, said he is honored to run for the post in 2015. The 31-year-old lawmaker announced a run for the position Monday , just weeks after winning a third term to the Kentucky House of Representatives in the re-drawn Scott County-centric district by nearly 18 percentage points. “In politics it’s all about timing,” Quarles said. “After Election Day the party — it was apparent we needed a strong candidate.... Read more 

Ky. Retirement Systems' new assumptions mean more dollars for state contributions

12/04/2014 06:43 PM Kevin Wheatley
FRANKFORT — Less than two years after the General Assembly pledged to fully pay its share of pension costs, the Kentucky Retirement Systems’ Board of Trustees on Thursday adopted new assumptions that will likely mean higher than expected pension contributions from the state in the next budget cycle. The changes, presented to trustees earlier this year by actuaries with Cavanaugh Macdonald Consulting based on a five-year experience study, lower assumed returns on investments, price inflation, wage growth and wage inflation. The... Read more 

Beshear named to DNC "Democratic Victory Task Force" after dreadful 2014 election cycle

12/04/2014 02:39 PM Nick Storm
Gov. Steve Beshear was named Thursday to the Democratic National Committee’s “Democratic Victory Task Force” to assess the party’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of future elections. Beshear was selected by DNC Chair and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, D-Florida, alongside nine other appointees. “We are proud to announce the members of the Democratic Victory Task Force, and are eager to work with them to build on what we’ve done that works, identify and prioritize challenges and ultimately improve our... Read more 

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was named Thursday to a Democratic National Committee task force that will examine what went wrong in the federal midterm elections and help chart a path…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Dec 04, 2014 6:37:00 PM, Continue reading at the source


A federal judge agreed Thursday to postpone the Jan. 5 bribery trial of state Rep. W. Keith Hall.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Dec 04, 2014 6:13:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Thursday, December 4, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

All 120 Kentucky counties see drop in unemployment rates for third straight month

12/04/2014 12:45 PM Don Weber
HEBRON — Kentucky has seen its unemployment rate drop in all 120 counties between October 2013 and October 2014, according to statistics from the Kentucky Office of Employment Training, a division of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The drop marks the third straight month the commonwealth as seen year-over-year drops in all counties. Boone County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 4.1 percent. That’s down from 4.8 percent in September and 6.3 percent in... Read more 

Newly elected members prepare to become legislators

12/03/2014 07:20 PM Don Weber
FRANKFORT — It was kind of like back to school for 17 freshman legislators who are taking part this week in a three day incoming lawmaker orientation session at the State Capitol. 11 members of the House and six incoming members of the Senate are taking part in the transition into legislative life. For some, new member orientation week is like the first day on the job. “I’m trying to stay engaged if you will because you know you’re going to... Read more 

Domestic violence for dating partners bill will also include provisions for sexual assault victims; Sexual assault bystander program working in Ky.

12/03/2014 03:33 PM Nick Storm
FRANKFORT — Victims’ rights advocates in Frankfort are gearing up for what they’re seeing as their best chance yet to pass a bill to provide dating partners and sexual assault victims protection orders. There is also new research taking shape in some Kentucky high schools which shows promise at reducing instances of sexual assault by targeting social norms. The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, or KASAP, is pushing a bill aimed at the ability for victims of domestic violence in... Read more 

Jacqueline Pitts to join Ky. Chamber of Commerce as Communications Manager

12/03/2014 02:57 PM Nick Storm
Pure Politics political producer Jacqueline Pitts will be joining the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as their new Communications Manager effective December 8. Jacqueline has done a fantastic job generating segment ideas, booking guests and following a wide variety of political stories with Pure Politics since joining the show in June of 2012. She has also been a regular on-air contributor to the weekly “Grind” segment. In her new position with the Chamber of Commerce, Jacqueline will be covering state government and... Read more 

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul seeks declaration of war against ISIS

12/03/2014 02:44 PM Kevin Wheatley
Less than two weeks after unveiling his plans to declare war against the terrorist group Islamic State to The New York Times, Kentucky U.S. Sen. filed a formal declaration of war against the organization. “I believe the President must come to Congress to begin a war and that Congress has a duty to act,” Paul said in a statement Wednesday. “Right now, this war is illegal until Congress acts pursuant to the Constitution and authorizes it.” President Barack Obama relied on... Read more 

Attorney General Jack Conway, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2015, underwent a successful back surgery Wednesday in Louisville, his office said in a news release.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Dec 03, 2014 5:01:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Rep. Darryl Owens is Jefferson County House Democrats' pick for speaker pro tem

12/03/2014 10:07 AM Kevin Wheatley
After a secret ballot Tuesday night, Jefferson County House Democrats tabbed state Rep. Darryl Owens as their choice for speaker pro tem. Owens was one of three Louisville Democrats in the running for the vacancy in House leadership, with Reps. Denny Butler and Steve Riggs vying for the opening in next month’s leadership elections. Owens, chairman of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and vice chairman of the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources and the House Judiciary... Read more 

House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins says he's been contacted about running for governor, lt. governor in 2015

12/02/2014 10:11 PM Kevin Wheatley
FRANKFORT — As Democrats look to field another gubernatorial candidate in a sparse primary field, House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins says some in the party have gauged his interest in joining a slate at either the top or bottom of a ticket. Adkins, D-Morehead, told Pure Politics in an interview Tuesday he was “flattered” and “humbled” by the consideration, but his focus remains on his role in leading the House Democratic caucus. The only office he’s currently seeking, he said,... Read more 

McConnell field representative takes position with Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives

12/02/2014 03:50 PM Pure Politics
UPDATED WITH STATEMENT FROM MCCONNELL: The Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives announced Monday the hire of Chase Crigler, a field representative for Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Crigler, who has worked in McConnell’s northern Kentucky office for five years, joins the organization as Director of Community and Government Affairs. The position was formally held by fellow former McConnell staffer Eric King, who has been hired by the University of Kentucky as director of federal government affairs. As government affairs director for the... Read more 

Rep. Rick Nelson announces a run for Treasurer in 2015

12/02/2014 02:51 PM Jacqueline Pitts
Democratic state Rep. Rick Nelson of Middlesboro announced Tuesday that he will run for state treasurer in 2015. Nelson, who has served in the legislature since being elected in 2001, becomes the second Democrat to announce intentions for the race to replace term limited Treasurer Todd Hollenbach. Louisville Democrat Neville Blakemore announced his run in October. According to the secretary of state’s website, Nelson filed to run for the office Nov. 20. In a release about his decision Tuesday, the retired teacher... Read more 
By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT – Attorney General Jack Conway, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2015, underwent successful back surgery Wednesday in Louisville, his office said in a release. The release said Conway, 45, had a minimally-invasive, microdiscectomy to relieve persistent pain caused by a herniated lumbar disc impinging on his sciatic nerve root. The procedure was performed at Baptist Health Louisville by neurosurgeon Steven J. Reiss. Doctors anticipate a complete recovery, and Conway is expected to keep a full schedule for all of calendar year 2015, the release said. He will have a limited public schedule for the next couple of weeks while [...]
Wed, Dec 03, 2014 4:54:00 PM, Continue reading at the source


State Rep. Rick Nelson, D-Middlesboro, filed his paperwork this week to run for Kentucky state treasurer in 2015.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Dec 03, 2014 4:26:00 PM, Continue reading at the source


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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul makes re-election bid official, mum on other 2016 plans

12/02/2014 12:29 PM Jacqueline Pitts
After many months of raising questions about whether or not he will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate and for president in 2016, Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul announced his intentions for one of the offices Tuesday as he said his name will be on the ballot for his Senate seat. But Paul remained quiet on a White House bid in the same year. In a statement, Paul said he is running for re-election because he still has many concerns... Read more 

New Democratic Senate leaders say they will be more engaged in 2015

12/01/2014 06:35 PM Don Weber
It will not be business as usual for the Senate Democrats, that was the message on Monday as Senate Democrats elected a new leadership team. Sen. Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, replaces R.J. Palmer as Minority Floor Leader, Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, replaced Sen. Johnny Ray Turner, D-Prestonsburg, and former governor and current Senator Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, replaces retiring Senator Jerry Rhoads, D-Madisonville. Palmer was defeated by Dr. Ralph Alvarado in the general election while Turner did not seek to continue as Minority... Read more 

Bill Samuels says lawmakers showed maturity by not politicizing local option sales tax; 2015 should be easier for LIFT

12/01/2014 02:04 PM Nick Storm
As lawmakers gear up for the 2015 session of the General Assembly, advocates are again calling for an amendment to the Kentucky constitution which would allow small increases to local sales tax which would fund special projects — if voters approve. Bill Samuels, the Chairman Emeritus of Makers Mark bourbon and board member for LIFT or Local Investments for Transportation, says the initiative could make a big difference in communities around the state. “Over the last few years we... Read more 

State Rep. Ryan Quarles becomes first Republican to enter 2015 agriculture commissioner race

12/01/2014 01:21 PM Kevin Wheatley
GEORGETOWN — Standing aboard a tobacco wagon and calling himself a member of Kentucky’s next generation of leaders, Republican state Rep. Ryan Quarles officially launched his bid for agriculture commissioner on Monday. Quarles, speaking to about 150 supporters at Bevins Motor Company in Georgetown, is the first Republican entrant in the 2015 field for the post. Quarles, who won a third term in the General Assembly on Nov. 4, picked up a key backer in current Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, a... Read more 

Two prominent Senate Republicans announced Tuesday they would seek a second term in the U.S. Senate, although their announcements had dramatically different implications for the 2016 presidential contest.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Dec 02, 2014 1:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

Fresh off Thanksgiving break at his home in Bowling Green, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul will officially announce Tuesday that he is running in 2016 for a second term in the…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Dec 02, 2014 3:11:00 AM, Continue reading at the source


Gubernatorial candidate Geoff Young says he and his running mate met via Facebook and have ridden bicycles together.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Dec 01, 2014 10:45:00 PM, Continue reading at the source


By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT – Kentucky Senate Democrats are going with an entire new leadership team for the next two years. Members of the minority party in the Senate selected in a unanimous vote Monday Ray Jones of Pikeville to be the Democratic floor leader. Also named to the leadership team were Gerald Neal of Louisville as caucus chair and former Gov. and now state Sen. Julian Carroll of Frankfort as caucus whip. Jones, who has been in the Senate since 2001, replaces R.J. Palmer of Winchester, who lost a re-election bid last month to Republican Ralph Alvarado of Winchester. Neal, a senator since 1989, [...]
Mon, Dec 01, 2014 9:59:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Monday, December 1, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Kentucky Energy Cabinet issues public comments to the EPA 

11/30/2014 05:12 PM Nick Storm
Officials within Kentucky’s Energy Cabinet have made their official comments regarding a proposed reduction in overall all carbon emissions from the Environmental Protection Agency. In June of 2014 the EPA released their plan to reduce carbon emissions nationwide 30 percent by 2030, with Kentucky’s share 18 percent. Since that time lawsuits have been filed by nearly a dozen attorney’s general — including Kentucky’s. The comments this week mark the first public comments to be released by the agency on the proposed... Read more 

Democrats, GOP jump-starting 2016 House races with midterms barely behind them

11/28/2014 04:38 PM Kevin Wheatley
The dust has settled on this year’s midterm elections, but Democrats and Republicans in the state House are already casting their eyes on the 2016 elections with the filing deadline more than a year away. The GOP fell short of their goal to overtake Democrats for a majority in the chamber on Nov. 4, with the Democratic caucus retaining their 54-46 lead despite Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell thumping Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes by 15 points and Republicans in the state... Read more 

Rep. Ryan Quarles, mulling run for agriculture commissioner, schedules "special announcement" Monday

11/26/2014 05:07 PM Kevin Wheatley
After telling The Lexington Herald-Leader he was considering a run for Kentucky agriculture commissioner and would make his decision after Thanksgiving, state Rep. Ryan Quarles has scheduled a “special announcement” Monday in Georgetown. Quarles, R-Georgetown, will be joined by GOP gubernatorial candidate and current Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, Sen. Paul Hornback and other elected officials 10 a.m. Monday at a John Deere dealership. Quarles told The Lexington Herald-Leader last week he planned to discuss the... Read more 
Linda Gorton's diplomacy has taken her from "shy, naive" council member to vice mayor. Her last Urban County Council meeting is Dec. 9.Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Nov 30, 2014 1:23:00 AM, Continue reading at the source


Critics say the tax-subsidized pension systems need to be more transparent before the state delivers another truckload of cash.Click to Continue » [...]
Fri, Nov 28, 2014 3:35:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

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