Thursday, March 5, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Session canceled Thursday after more than 14 inches of snowfall in Frankfort

03/05/2015 07:39 AM
FRANKFORT — After more than 14 inches of snow blanketed the capital city, top lawmakers have canceled Thursday’s legislative schedule. The Courier-Journal reports interim Legislation Research Commission Director Marcia Seiler notified legislative staffers in an email at 7 a.m. Thursday after Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker Greg Stumbo decided to call off meetings. Frankfort Mayor Bill May has issued a travel restriction in the city until 6 p.m. Thursday or until conditions improve. Read more 

Senate could vote on bill doubling campaign donor cap by Friday, Thayer says

03/04/2015 09:52 PM
FRANKFORT — State lawmakers may double the cap on individual campaign contributions after a Senate committee amended and approved legislation on the topic Wednesday. The Senate State and Local Government Committee sent House Bill 203 to the chamber floor with only one panelist, Democratic Sen. Dorsey Ridley of Henderson, voting “pass.” HB 203, sponsored by Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore, originally established a new $3,000 threshold for candidates to file campaign finance reports, but an amended version of the bill presented... Read more 

"Beer bill" set to become law, subject of possible court battle after Senate vote

03/04/2015 08:53 PM
FRANKFORT — A bill separating brewers, distributors and retailers in the so-called three-tiered model already in place for wineries and distilleries appears primed for a legal challenge after the state Senate approved the measure on a 23-13 vote Wednesday. Republicans and Democrats occupied both sides of the debate on House Bill 168, sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo, and Gov. Steve Beshear said in a statement that he “will be pleased to sign House Bill 168” since it restores the three-tiered... Read more 

Beshear appoints David Allen Barber to Ky. Supreme Court

03/04/2015 07:05 PM
Gov. Steve Beshear has appointed David Allen Barber as a justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky to replace former Justice Will T. Scott of Pikeville, who left the bench to run for governor. Barber, of Prestonsburg, is a policy and legal adviser in House Speaker Greg Stumbo’s legislative office and a partner in the law firm of Richardson, Barber & Williamson in Owingsville. Barber served as a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge from 2000 to 2007.... Read more 

Protesters for restoring felon voting rights crash Senate committee

03/04/2015 06:33 PM
FRANKFORT — A pair of protesters interrupted Wednesday’s Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting, urging senators to act on legislation that would restore voting rights for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes. Greg Capillo and Jordan Mazurek sat with arms locked at the front of the Capitol Annex committee room before they were removed by state police. As they were escorted out they and other supporters began singing the civil rights tune “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.” The demostrators urged the... Read more 

Westerfield taking heat for attorney general budget flub

03/04/2015 04:17 PM
State Sen. Whitney Westerfield is finding out firsthand how politics can creep into a legislative session during an election year. Westerfield, a Hopkinsville Republican and candidate for attorney general, found himself having to answer questions about the office he would like to represent on the floor of the Senate last week. The legislation, SB 118, ,Westerfield proposes would limit the ability of the attorney general’s office to contract outside law firms to represent the state. The problem: At the time... Read more 

Beshear warns Kentuckians to prepare for winter storm

03/04/2015 04:11 PM
PRESS RELEASE: Governor Steve Beshear warned Kentuckians to prepare for heavy snows, poor driving conditions, flooding and possible power outages as another strong winter storm bears down on the Commonwealth. “Even though the predicted snowfalls vary, it’s clear that this winter storm will pack another wallop,” said Gov. Beshear. “The potential for hazardous travel is high, because the rain prevents road crews from pre-treating highways with brine. Stay tuned to local weather forecasts and make sure your home is... Read more 
Louisville Area Begins Digging Out After Snowstorm
from Staff
In its latest update, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said all interstates and state highways on the Kentucky side of the Louisville area are snow-covered. Here’s more: All of the lane markings are obscured and it is difficult to tell where the pavement ends. Crews plowed throughout the night and then put down a coat of salt at 6:00 a.m. Roads continued to get covered by snow that fell at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour. With the snow tapering off this morning, crews will soon be able to make some progress but it will take several hours. On Interstate 65 near [...]
Thu, Mar 05, 2015 12:32:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Whether He’s Wrong or Right, Louisville Meteorologist John Belski Hears About It
from Devin Katayama
It’s fair to say many people in Louisville paid close attention to weather forecasts the past several days. At times, the snowstorm that began moving through Louisville on Wednesday was supposed to drop a foot of snow–or maybe more. At other times, the storm was expected to bring less snow. The thing is, sometimes forecasts shift dramatically. In a recent interview, WLKY meteorologist John Belski said meteorologists use weather data models from all over the world–the U.S., Canada, Japan, Europe–to calculate snowfall amounts. “The problem is many times they do not agree, and that’s the hard part–trying to figure out which one of these really [...]
Thu, Mar 05, 2015 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky General Assembly OKs Ban on Out-of-State Brewers Owning Distributorships
from Ryland Barton
A bill banning out-of-state brewers from owning distributors in Kentucky has won approval in the General Assembly and awaits final word from Gov. Steve Beshear, who has indicated his support. The bill was approved Wednesday in the state Senate following earlier approval from the state House. The bill closes what craft brewing interests call a loophole in Kentucky law that allows out-of-state brewers to own distributors in the state. Two brewers—Missouri’s Anheuser-Busch and Ohio’s Rhinegeist—currently own distributors in Kentucky and won’t be able to renew their distribution licenses next year. One of Anheuser-Busch’s distributors is located in Louisville and several senators from that area [...]
Thu, Mar 05, 2015 12:11:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Beshear makes appointment to fill state Supreme Court seat
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
Gov. Steve Beshear on Wednesday appointed former state Court of Appeals Judge David Allen Barber to a vacant seat on the Supreme Court, according to a news release.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Mar 04, 2015 10:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Senate gives final passage to bill stripping distributorships from Anheuser-Busch
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
A divided state Senate gave final passage Wednesday to a bill banning breweries from distributing their own products in Kentucky.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Mar 04, 2015 10:03:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
After committee chaos, advocates for felon voting rights say Rand Paul went missing
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
Protesters were dragged from a state Senate committee meeting Wednesday, where they failed to convince Republican lawmakers to consider a proposal that would automatically restore voting rights for some nonviolent…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Mar 04, 2015 8:40:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


State Senate majority grows by one as votes are tallied in special election

03/03/2015 09:49 PM
Senate Republicans have grown their majority to 27 members with the election of Steve West to the 27th Senate District seat Tuesday. West defeated Democrat Kelly Caudill in the special election with 5,355 votes to Caudill’s 4,489, according to the secretary of state’s unofficial vote count. The election was called to replace newly sworn-in Rowan County Judge-Executive Walter Blevins, who vacated the seat just before the legislative session convened in January. West, a Millersburg real estate attorney and cattle farmer, walks... Read more 

$132.5 million bond for UK medical research center heads to governor

03/03/2015 09:12 PM
FRANKFORT – Despite the fact that it’s a non-budget year, the state Senate has passed legislation to fund half the cost of a multi-million dollar research building at the University of Kentucky. House Bill 298, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford, authorizes the issuance of $132.5 million in bonds for construction of the building. The University of Kentucky will fund the other half of the cost as well as any other related expenses. The building, which will be located along... Read more 

Transportation panel may explore driving certificates for undocumented immigrants during interim

03/03/2015 06:20 PM
FRANKFORT — Undocumented immigrants could be granted driving certificates under a bill its sponsor hopes will be studied further before next year’s legislative session. The House Transportation Committee considered House Bill 267, sponsored by Rep. Larry Clark, Tuesday but took no vote on the measure. HB 267 would make driving certificates available to immigrants who’ve resided in Kentucky for three years, with those older than 21 driving on an instructional permit for 30 days and those younger than 21 using the... Read more 

Legislation retooling Cincinnati/N.Ky. International Airport board clears House committee

03/03/2015 03:19 PM
FRANKFORT — A bill revamping membership of the board governing the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport cleared the House Transportation Committee Tuesday. House Bill 208, sponsored by Rep. Diane St. Onge, advanced on a 17-1-3 vote. The legislation would expand voting membership of the Kenton County Airport Board from seven to 13, and rather than allow the judge-executive of Kenton County to have complete appointment power over the board, the legislation would ensure Kentucky’s governor and judge-executives in Boone, Campbell and Grant... Read more 

Yarmuth rails against 'condescending' speech from Israeli PM Netanyahu

03/03/2015 02:47 PM
Calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks to a joint session of Congress an “impressive bit of political theater,” U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Louisville, said he felt validated for not attending the speech Tuesday. In mid-February Yarmuth issued a statement saying he would not be attending the address from Netanyahu, at the time calling the speech a “sad and ridiculous” litmus test for support of Israel. Yarmuth’s statements to the media Tuesday came following the address by Netanyahu and was carried... Read more 

"Beer bill" protecting the three-tier system of brewing, distributing and selling passes Senate committee

03/03/2015 02:03 PM
FRANKFORT — A bill which would prevent breweries from holding distribution and retail licenses, bringing them in line with the three-tiered approach for companies making, shipping and selling wines and distilled spirits, was passed by a Senate panel Tuesday. House Bill 168, sponsored by Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, would change a law that allows out-of-state brewers to own their own distributors. Since Prohibition, in-state brewers have not been allowed to own their own distributors. Kentucky uses a three-tier system... Read more 

Bill creating civil protective orders for dating partners heads to Senate floor

03/03/2015 11:39 AM
FRANKFORT — Legislation creating a new class of protective orders for partners in dating relationships passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, clearing one of its last procedural hurdles en route to Gov. Steve Beshear’s desk. The judiciary panel, which approved House Bill 8 by 7-0-1 vote, amended the bill to further differentiate between the civil protective orders established in the legislation and those sought in familial disputes. That means if the Senate approves HB 8, the House must OK the committee’s... Read more 
Here Are Some Average Costs For Common Procedures in Kentucky
from Ja'Nel Johnson
A national health care non-profit recently launched an online price transparency tool that may help people determine the cost of their next medical procedure. Guroo.com was launched by the Health Care Cost Institute provides national, state and local cost information for common health conditions and services. Currently, people can search 70 different conditions and procedures on the website. Cost information includes the national average as well as a person’s state and city averages. Kentucky was below the national average for several services; costs in the Louisville metro area were even lower. With many Kentucky adults enrolling in health insurance for the first time, they are in search of [...]
Wed, Mar 04, 2015 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Winter Weather Forecast Closes Jefferson County Public Schools
from Joseph Lord
Updated: Jefferson County Public Schools are closed Wednesday because of winter weather moving into the Louisville area. Other school systems closed or changing schedules on Wednesday include: New Albany-Floyd County Schools: 2-hour early dismissal Bullitt County Public Schools: 2-Hour early dismissal Oldham County Public Schools: Closed Jefferson County Catholic Schools: Dismiss at 1 p.m. The National Weather Service forecasts nine to 12 inches of snow for Louisville and the surrounding area. Rain is forecast for Wednesday morning, but it’s expected to transition to snow in the afternoon (the latest forecast puts steady snow starting at about 3 p.m. in Louisville). The snow is forecast to continue [...]
Wed, Mar 04, 2015 11:34:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Senate Passes Bill To Monitor ‘No-Jail Jailers’
from Ryland Barton
The Kentucky state Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that attempts to build accountability in counties that have jailers but no jails. Related StoryOnly in Kentucky: Jailers Without JailsSince the 1970s, 41 counties have closed their jails for budgetary or compliance reasons. Though all of those counties still have a jailer—a constitutional office in Kentucky—many of those jailers don’t do much work, according to a report in January by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. The Senate bill requires jailers to submit quarterly reports on their job duties to fiscal courts, would require the county legislative bodies to establish job requirements for county jailers [...]
Wed, Mar 04, 2015 1:44:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Senate gives final approval to bill to help finance University of Kentucky medical research building
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
The state Senate gave final approval Tuesday to a bill fulfilling the University of Kentucky's request for $132.5 million in state bonds for a six-story medical research center.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 9:25:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Senate panel approves bill that would strip Anheuser-Busch of its Kentucky distributorships
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
A state Senate committee approved a controversial bill Tuesday that would force Anheuser-Busch to sell two Kentucky companies that distribute alcohol in Jefferson and Daviess counties.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 5:50:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Senate appears poised to approve civil protective orders for dating partners
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
The Kentucky Senate could vote this week on a bill to expand civil protective orders to dating partners, including young students — an idea the Senate has rejected for years,Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 5:17:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Telecomm deregulation becomes first bill to pass both chambers

03/02/2015 11:23 PM
FRANKFORT – Legislation to reform telecommunication regulations in the commonwealth became the first bill to be passed by both the House and Senate during the 2015 General Assembly. House Bill 152, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford, was passed by a 30-3 vote on Monday night by the Senate. The bill, known as the “AT&T bill”, would remove requirements that telephone companies offer basic landline service in urban areas. Sen. Paul Hornback who sponsored similar legislation the past three years, says that the... Read more 

Stumbo’s "beer bill" poised to clear Senate committee a day after Anheuser-Busch hits airwaves

03/02/2015 08:43 PM
FRANKFORT — The day before a Senate committee is set to hear a bill Anheuser-Busch says will cost nearly 200 jobs at its distribution centers, the beer maker reinforced that point in a one-minute television ad that began airing Monday. But despite Anheuser-Busch’s public pressure, the Senate Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee’s chairman says House Bill 168 will be heard without revision Tuesday. Sen. John Schickel, whose panel is scheduled to take up HB 168 during its 10 a.m. meeting,... Read more 

Bill to add Krabbe disease tests to new born screenings passes House committee

03/02/2015 04:37 PM
FRANKFORT — Twenty-two months ago, Nathan and Sarai Taylor had what they thought was a healthy newborn daughter named Anna who had passed all of the newborn screening tests. However, when Anna was four months old, she showed signs of irritability, stopped eating and began missing her milestones. After further testing, Anna was diagnosed with Krabbe disease, a neurological disorder where the brain shuts down. It has caused Anna to lose her sight, ability to eat, speak and move. The life expectancy... Read more 

GOP gubernatorial candidates talk pensions, taxing at N. Ky. Lincoln Day Dinner

03/02/2015 08:51 AM
HEBRON — All four Republican gubernatorial candidates were in Northern Kentucky on Saturday night at the 4th Congressional District GOP Lincoln Reagan Dinner to try to convince voters why they are the best choice to be their party’s nominee for governor. Former U.S. Senate candidate Matt Bevin, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, Former Louisville Metro Council member Hal Heiner and former Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott all talked about how Kentucky’s pension liability and business climate pose a major threat... Read more 
Lexington government center will remain closed Tuesday
from jwarren@herald-leader.com (Jim Warren)
Lexington's downtown government center will remain closed for a second day, the city announced early Tuesday.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Photo Exhibition in Louisville Questions the American Dream
from Ashlie Stevens
Charles Mintz’ latest collection, “Lustron Stories: Americans at Home,” explores the themes of place, purpose and the tenuous definition of the “American dream”—all in the context of Lustron prefabricated homes in modern Midwest neighborhoods. The collection will be on display at PUBLIC Gallery on Main Street through March 28. Lustron manufactured all-steel, porcelain, baked-enamel houses in Columbus, Ohio, between 1940 and 1950. They were designed for GI’s returning from the war and young families just starting out. About four years ago, Mintz had an exhibition on homes that he was going to present at the Ohio History Connection. The staff there were in [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
House approves Keeneland tax exemption for Breeders' Cup
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
The measure would waive the state's excise tax on live parimutuel wagering at the Lexington track during the two-day Breeders' Cup in late October. The money would be used to…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 2:05:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Teachers Asked to Take Survey About Their Schools
from Devin Katayama
A voluntary biennial survey for Kentucky teachers that’s meant to measure their opinions of schools, resources, education leadership and community support is now available to take online. Nearly 90 percent of teachers across the state took the Kentucky TELL Survey in 2013—and many school systems learned that teachers thought poorly of their school’s access to technology. Also, half of respondents wanted more professional development on the new Common Core standards. 2013, teachers gave the lowest score to the role they’re given in “providing input on how the school budget will be spent.” To use the data for a school’s going improvement planning process, that school needs to have [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 1:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
AT&T Bill Passes Kentucky Senate, Poised To Become Law
from Ryland Barton
Major telephone companies won’t have to offer basic land line service to residents in the 15 largest markets in the state if Gov. Steve Beshear signs a bill that passed the state Senate on Monday. The so-called AT&T deregulation bill removes a requirement that “carriers of last resort” offer packages with 911 calling, operator service and unlimited local calls to those who ask for it in markets of more than 15,000 people. AT&T said the legislation will free up money for investment in rural broadband and wireless service, though the company has not disclosed details for how much money would be invested or [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 12:51:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Senate approves phone deregulation bill, sends it to Beshear to sign
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
House Bill 152 — nicknamed the AT&T bill for the company that lobbied for it — would largely strip the Kentucky Public Service Commission of its oversight of phone service…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Mar 03, 2015 12:42:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Monday, March 2, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Get a crash cart, stat: Status update on bills heading into lawmakers' last full week of work

03/01/2015 03:00 PM
Only a fraction of the 757 bills filed in this year’s short session have a shot to become law as legislators enter their final full week of work. The House and Senate have sent a combined 189 pieces of legislation to the other chamber thus far, but only one item, a resolution adjourning the first part of the session in January and convening the second in February, has cleared both chambers. That will change this week with a few bills, such... Read more 

Rand Paul wins third straight CPAC straw poll

02/28/2015 05:58 PM
For a third straight year in a row U.S. Sen. Rand Paul won the Conservative Political Action Conference presidential preference poll. The 3,000 libertarian-leaning young activists had Paul coming out on top of the crowded potential field of Republican candidates. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker came in second place in the poll, according to the Washington Times Paul said he was “humbled by the enthusiastic support and encouragement” he received at CPAC. “Our party is filled with constitutional conservatives who have... Read more 

House passes bill revamping personnel practices at the Legislative Research Commission

02/27/2015 06:59 PM
FRANKFORT — A bill mandating the Legislative Research Commission draft comprehensive personnel policies cleared the state House on a 55-26 vote Friday. The legislation comes after top lawmakers decided to release the National Conference of State Legislatures’ draft audit of the LRC last month. The report, which has not been finalized, detailed a lax personnel system and low morale within the agency’s nonpartisan staff. Rep. James Kay, sponsor of House Bill 262, said many of the complaints found in the draft... Read more 

Debt ceiling and transgender bills pass Senate

02/27/2015 04:37 PM
FRANKFORT – The Kentucky state Senate passed bills on Friday that would set the debt ceiling at 6 percent and require public school students to use the restrooms of the sex that they were born. Senate Bill 94, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, would cap the state’s debt at 6 percent of revenue and would direct any savings realized in drawing down the state’s indebtedness to the underfunded Kentucky Employees Retirement System for non-hazardous state workers. KERS has just 21... Read more 

At CPAC Paul says he will soon unveil "largest tax cut in American history"

02/27/2015 03:06 PM
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s rock-star-like status was on full display Friday, eliciting cheers from the attendees of the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland. Paul, R-Ky., delivered a nearly 20-minute speech often interrupted by cheers and chants from the young libertarian-leaning crowd. In his speech Paul delivered a call to arms for lovers of liberty to join his vision and “reclaim our birthright.” During his remarks, Paul cited the Constitution — reminding the crowd their rights cannot be disparaged —... Read more 
Mid-Kentucky Presbytery Approves Same-Sex Marriage Amendment
from Devin Katayama
The Mid-Kentucky Presbytery as voted this weekend to approve a same-sex marriage amendment to the national church’s constitution. The presbytery includes more than 50 congregations from Kentucky. Its vote on Saturday will count as just one of 172 presbyteries that make up Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which is headquartered in Louisville. Representatives from presbyteries across the country are voting whether to rewrite language in the national church’s constitution that would recognize love as being between two people instead of between a man and a woman. A majority of the presbyteries that have already voted have supported the amendment. Those include the Presbytery of Transylvania in [...]
Mon, Mar 02, 2015 1:01:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Brown-Forman Wins EPA Climate Leadership Award
from Erica Peterson
The Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corporation has been awarded an award for its ambitious greenhouse gas reductions by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA presented the company with a 2015 Climate Leadership Award in Arlington, Virginia, last week. In 2010, the alcohol producer set a goal to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent per unit of production by 2020. But by 2013, Brown-Forman had already exceeded that goal, reducing emissions by 46 percent. So, Environmental Health and Safety Director Andy Battjes said the company set another goal. “And so the new goal is from a new baseline of 2012, a 15 [...]
Mon, Mar 02, 2015 12:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Hear the Mighty Fine Farm & Food Podcasts
from Staff
  WFPL is proud to partner with Steve Paradis, Summer Auerbach and Ivor Chodkowski in the launch of the second season of Mighty Fine Farm & Food. Every week, you’ll hear local and national guests in conversation about food, farming and sustainability. Check out the latest episodes or subscribe to the podcast. [...]
Sun, Mar 01, 2015 5:25:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Infighting interferes with GOP agenda
Two months into full Republican control of Congress, GOP leaders are struggling to demonstrate they really are in charge.Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Feb 28, 2015 1:03:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
GOP contenders push for military action against ISIS
The Republican Party's leading presidential contenders on Friday promised conservative activists they would pursue aggressive military action to prevent the spread of global terrorism, including a renewed use of ground…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Feb 28, 2015 1:58:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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