Sunday Chatter: National Democratic Party “has lost its way,” Gov. Beshear says
02/22/2015 12:59 PM
As Democrats emerge from losing the U.S. Senate, governorships and state legislatures in last year’s midterm election cycle, the national party needs to refocus its message to reach voters that can relate to its core values, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said Saturday. Beshear is one of 11 Democrats tasked with evaluating the party’s political strategy in the wake of a brutal midterm cycle for Democrats, according to reports. He unveiled the panel’s preliminary findings Saturday in Washington. “We need a cohesive,... Read more 
GOP primary offers early litmus test for Medicaid expansion’s future
02/22/2015 10:01 AM
Kentucky’s next governor will have a significant role in defending, dismantling or tinkering with Gov. Steve Beshear’s moves to expand Medicaid eligibility and create the state-based health exchange kynect under the Affordable Care Act. The state won’t be alone as a handful of others have taken a renewed interest in the federal government’s offer of free Medicaid coverage for the working poor until 2017, when its share of covering the newly eligible begins gradually dropping to 90 percent. While Jack Conway,... Read more
Stivers hopes conference committee for heroin legislation can begin as soon as next week
02/21/2015 10:09 AM
FRANKFORT — With both chambers of the legislature passing separate bills intended to curb heroin abuse in the state and the likelihood of one side agreeing to the other’s proposal nil, Senate leadership is looking at the calendar and contacting House leaders to set up a conference committee. Speaking to reporters on the Senate floor Friday, Senate President Robert Stivers expressed frustration at the lack of action taken on his chamber’s version of a heroin bill, but he said the... Read more
Inching closer to presidential run, Paul continues to push for criminal justice reforms
02/20/2015 04:27 PM
LOUISVILLE — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul hopes the new GOP-led Congress will consider a bill he has filed that would lower societal barriers for nonviolent offenders, the Bowling Green Republican said Friday during a forum at Sullivan University. Kentucky’s junior senator, who is openly considering a presidential campaign next year while frequenting early primary states like New Hampshire and Iowa in recent months, continues to stake his claim as an advocate for criminal justice reforms, estimating that half the Senate’s Republican... Read more
Gov. Beshear warns Kentuckians to get ready for round of ice, freezing rain
02/20/2015 04:11 PM
With another significant winter storm heading for the state, bringing a potentially dangerous mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain Gov. Steve Beshear is warning Kentuckians to prepare for hazardous driving conditions, flash flooding or power outages. “This weather system is changing as it approaches the state, so it’s very important to monitor local weather forecasts for the latest outlook for your community,” said Gov. Beshear. “As always, remember to check on your neighbors and the elderly, as ice... Read more
Tempers flare in the Senate as temperatures plummet
02/20/2015 02:55 PM
FRANKFORT – The discussion turned heated Friday as lawmakers argued on the floor of the Senate over the decision to call members of the chamber into session as the House closed shop the last two-days of the work week because of weather conditions. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, defended his decision to bring the Senate back on Thursday saying that he had consulted with experts and decided that it would be safe for Senate members to travel to Frankfort. “We were... Read more
Bill aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence clears Senate committee
02/20/2015 02:46 PM
FRANKFORT – A bill which would require a twelve-hour hold on a defendant being released on bail for domestic violence was passed on Friday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 137 , sponsored by Sen. Chris Girdler, R-Somerset, would require a twelve-hour wait for domestic violence perpetrators if the pretrial assessment indicates a risk of possible future harm to the victim. “The biggest advantage to this legislation is allowing the victim, as well as possibly the children, of being able to... Read more
A bill to change the laws regulating homeowners with small-scale wind turbines and solar arrays is moving through the Indiana General Assembly. The bill passed the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunication Committee last week, and is set to go before the whole House this week. As we reported last month: The bill would change Indiana’s net metering laws, and also allow utilities to charge an additional fee to small-scale renewable energy generators. Right now, Hoosiers with rooftop solar arrays or wind turbines can connect to the grid and sell energy back to the utilities. The utilities buy that energy at the retail rate: the [...]
Mon, Feb 23, 2015 12:19:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Update 7 a.m. Monday: Delays Clarksville Community Schools, West Clark Community Schools, Spencer County Public Schools will be on a two-hour delay Monday. Nelson County Schools and Oldham County Schools will be on a one-hour delay. Update 5:48 p.m.: More Delays New Albany-Floyd County Schools and Greater Clark Schools will be on a two-hour delay Monday. Earlier: The temperature is forecast to drop again to single-digits Sunday night into Monday, leading the National Weather Service to issue a wind chill advisory from midnight until 9 a.m. Monday. Jefferson County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Monday; Jefferson County Catholic Schools will operate on a delayed schedule. Bullitt [...]
Sun, Feb 22, 2015 9:44:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
This school year, the Owsley County School District in eastern Kentucky was allowed to use as many as 10 days for “non-traditional learning.” On those days, Owsley schools could teach students using alternative means–for instance, online coursework–even when the school buildings were closed, like for snow days. This week, Owsley schools used up the final non-traditional school day during the snowy, cold winter weather that hit the state. Many Owsley students have been learning virtually from home since school was canceled on Tuesday. “It’s kind of becoming an accepted means of providing education for kids while they’re at home during the bad times outside because [...]
Sun, Feb 22, 2015 12:56:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Democrats have become a confused political party with a muddled message and an inability to turn out enough of its loyal voters, a party task force charged with how to…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Feb 21, 2015 8:21:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Rand Paul wasn't a conventional Republican when he won a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky, and he's not mapping out a predictable strategy as he ponders a 2016 bid for…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Feb 21, 2015 8:23:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Judge throws out election results in 2014 Magoffin judge-executive race
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
There were so many violations of election rules in last November's election for Magoffin County judge-executive that the results must be thrown out, a judge has ruled.Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Feb 21, 2015 2:56:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
