Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Today's Political Headlines

Supporters urge action on low-level felony expungement legislation this session

01/06/2016 11:02 PM
FRANKFORT — Rebecca Collett hasn’t abused mind- or mood-altering drugs in seven years, yet a felony conviction for trafficking at age 20 has haunted her as she tried to piece her life together. The mother of two said she could only find employment at McDonald’s with her class D felony record, and she was denied entry in subsidized housing and colleges before she was finally admitted to the University of Louisville, where she will soon earn a master’s degree in social... Read more 

McConnell: North Korea is problem without a solution; offers Obama advice on ISIS

01/06/2016 09:29 PM
LEXINGTON — With increasingly aggressive actions abroad, politicians are searching for answers, but in some cases those answers are as complicated and uncertain as the times. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered his advice on Wednesday to President Barack Obama in confronting Islamic extremists in the Middle East, but when it comes to international posturing from North Korea, he conceded that the answers are not that simple. On Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told his countrymen that... Read more 

Education reform becomes number one priority for Senate in 2016

01/06/2016 06:42 PM
FRANKFORT – Legislation which would create new recurring standards and assessment review structure in assessing Kentucky’s public schools is the top priority legislation for the Kentucky Senate in 2016. Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, calls for an independent third party selected by the Kentucky Department of Education to collect public comments in core subject areas, via a website set up by the Kentucky Board of Education. The website would ensure the public’s assistance in reviewing and... Read more 

McConnell, Bevin say political changes on the horizon for Democrat-led House

01/06/2016 05:18 PM
FRANKFORT — Two Kentucky Republicans who won lopsided victories over their Democratic opponents — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Gov. Matt Bevin — predicted Wednesday that the last southern legislative chamber in Democratic hands would soon come under GOP control. McConnell, who met with Bevin privately in the governor’s Capitol office, called the political outcome “inevitable, and Bevin said Republicans would triumph in the upcoming election cycle. “It is a matter of time,” Bevin said. “It’s a function of when... Read more 
Louisville Metro Launching Feasibility Study of Soccer Stadium
from Jacob Ryan
Louisville Metro government has reached an agreement with an outside analyst to study potential sites for a new professional soccer stadium. The firm, Convention Sports and Leisure, will examine four potential sites to determine if constructing a soccer stadium would be a good investment for Louisville. Specifics of where those sites are, exactly, is not yet known, said Jeff Mosley, a deputy director of Louisville Forward. “We’ll know when we know,” he said. “We’re not going to tip our hand on a lot of this stuff because then the property could skyrocket. You could have people trying to buy up land and sell it to the [...]
Thu, Jan 07, 2016 1:45:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Republican Senate Majority’s Priorities: Education Reform, Right-to-Work and More
from Ryland Barton
The priority bills of the Kentucky state Senate’s Republican majority include several familiar policies: right-to-work, repealing the prevailing wage and enacting medical review panels. Senate Republican leaders announced on Wednesday the bills they’ll focus on passing during the 2016 legislative session, which began Tuesday. Their top goal is passage of a bill that would reform the state’s education standards. The caucus also introduced several bills in response to events that turned conservative heads over the past year. The Republican Senate will push one bill that would prohibit non-Medicaid state tax dollars from funding Planned Parenthood, another that would prohibit the sale of fetal [...]
Thu, Jan 07, 2016 1:08:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky Opera Seasons Includes ‘Madame Butterfly,’ ‘Mikado’
from Tara Anderson
Kentucky Opera is going back to the classics for its 2016-17 season, the company announced Wednesday. Two of the most beloved, crowd-pleasing operas in the repertoire — both with a Japanese theme — will be presented alongside a lesser-known Mozart work that showcases vocal expertise. Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” will lead off the season, sung in Italian with English supertitles. The story of an American sailor’s doomed love affair with a Japanese girl premiered at Milan’s La Scala in 1904. “The Abduction from the Seraglio” is a relatively early Mozart opera (premiered in 1782) that features an “exotic” Turkish locale and a lighthearted [...]
Wed, Jan 06, 2016 9:05:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Today's Political Headlines

Procedural rule battle highlights opening day for House with Democrats a vote shy of constitutional majority

01/05/2016 08:06 PM
FRANKFORT — House Democrats, down to a bare 50-member majority, leaned on the Kentucky Constitution rather than put procedural rules up to a vote in the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday. House Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, still bristling after Democratic leaders left freshman members of his caucus just one committee assignment last year, called the maneuver “not a good way to start this session” after unsuccessfully challenging the resolution. “All we ask for, simply, was for (House Majority... Read more 

Senate to unveil priority bills for 2016 session on Wednesday

01/05/2016 03:23 PM
FRANKFORT — The 60-day session opened on Tuesday with the Senate announcing that they will unveil their top bills on Wednesday, and education will be among the main legislative priorities of both chambers in the General Assembly. Senate President Robert Stivers said the decision of what bills will be the main focus will be finalized in private caucus discussions Tuesday evening. The Manchester Republican would not disclose what the top priority would be, but gave a hint that it is related... Read more 
Coan Seeking Louisville Metro Council District 8 Seat
from Staff
Submitted Brandon Coan An anticipated, the Louisville Metro Council race for the District 8 seat is getting crowded. Attorney Brandon Coan, 35, announced Wednesday that he’d seek the seat currently held by Councilman Tom Owen, who has represented the Highlands area on Louisville’s legislative bodies for 22 years. Owen announced last year that he would not seek another term in office. “We are more than a dozen distinct neighborhoods and independent cities, each with its own concerns and strengths to bring to the table,” Coan, a Democrat, said in a news release. “We all need to work together, and I intend to make District 8 [...]
Wed, Jan 06, 2016 2:42:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Political Tension Starts Early in the Kentucky State House
from Ryland Barton
Despite all the handwringing over political control of the state House, no blood was shed in the Kentucky Capitol on the first day of the 2016 General Assembly session. There were no party-switches and no resignations on Tuesday. But there was squabbling. Democrats hold a 50-46 House majority, keeping pace ahead of a Republican Party threatening to wrest control of the last Democratic-controlled legislative chamber in the South. Four special elections will be held on March 8 to fill open seats held previously by two representatives from each party. The first day of the session showed hints of the fights to come in the [...]
Wed, Jan 06, 2016 12:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
David Tandy Won’t Seek Re-Election to Metro Council
from Staff
Democratic Metro Councilman David Tandy announced in a surprise op-ed on Tuesday that he will not seek another term on the council. The announcement from Tandy, a four-term council member and current council president, comes amid Democratic infighting over who will preside over the council for the next year. Tandy said he’s dropping out of the race for president, a matter that is expected to be settled on Thursday, The Courier-Journal reports. Tandy has served on the council since 2005. He represents the fourth district, which includes parts of downtown, Russell, Smoketown and Phoenix Hill. In a Courier-Journal op-ed posted late Tuesday night, Tandy said [...]
Wed, Jan 06, 2016 12:38:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Today's Political Headlines

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 
Louisville Flood Workgroup Meets For Final Time
from Ashley Lopez
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
Much Riding on Kentucky House Special Elections
from Ryland Barton
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
Get Up to Speed on What’s Facing Kentucky Lawmakers As They Gather in Frankfort
from Staff
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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