Gov. Beshear prepares for curtain call on second term in office, reflects on his administration
11/17/2015 09:43 PM
FRANKFORT — Seated at the head of the state dining room table in the Governor’s Mansion, Gov. Steve Beshear and first lady Jane Beshear exchange smiles as they reminisced on the challenges they’ve faced, the work left to do, and offered their predictions for the future. With just three weeks left in the Democratic governor’s eighth year of his second term in office, he points to areas of success for the state under his watch. “It has been both the... Read more 
Sen. Rand Paul files bill to suspend issuing visas to certain countries
11/16/2015 04:42 PM
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, announced Monday that he is filing legislation to suspend issuing visas for citizens of countries with a high risk of terrorism. Paul’s bill would impose a waiting period on background checks on visas for refugees and nationals of 30 countries, “until the American people can be assured terrorists cannot enter the country through our immigration and visa system,” according to a press release. “The time has come to stop terrorists from walking in our... Read more
Lawmakers prepare for increased healthcare costs
11/16/2015 03:47 PM
FRANKFORT – State Lawmakers are exploring all options as the commonwealth’s portion of healthcare costs increase over the next several years. Lisa Lee, Medicaid commissioner for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services told members of the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue BR Sub on Human Resources on Monday that the state’s share of costs from Medicare Part B will be $4,836,653 in FY16, $10,680,716 in FY17, and $10, 668,076 in FY18. While that amount is lower than was earlier... Read more
Sen. McConnell: "More of the same is not going to work" against ISIS
11/16/2015 03:32 PM
LOUISVILLE – The United States military tactics against ISIS will continue, President Obama announced on Monday defending his strategy, and rejecting calls for an increased military presence in Syria and the Middle East. Days after members of ISIS killed more than 100 people in Paris, France and injured hundreds others Obama spoke from Antalya, Turkey at the conclusion of the G20 summit to condemn the attacks and stress solidarity with France. Obama said he would increase coordinated airstrikes against ISIS... Read more
Gov.-elect Bevin says Election Day results "a cry for help" from Kentuckians as GOP celebrates wins, looks ahead to 2016
11/14/2015 06:40 PM
With 106 of the state’s 120 counties in his column, Republican Gov.-elect Matt Bevin said the state’s electoral map last week represented “a cry for help from the people of Kentucky” during his remarks to the Republican Party of Kentucky’s state central committee on Saturday. The meeting of top GOP officials doubled as a rallying cry ahead of next year’s legislative races, with Republicans vying for control of the state’s House of Representatives for the first time since 1921. The celebratory... Read more
His health initiatives in the political crosshairs, Gov. Beshear defends kynect, Medicaid expansion
11/14/2015 09:53 AM
Gov. Steve Beshear gave a forceful defense of federal health programs he enacted during his final term in office, urging Gov.-elect Matt Bevin, who campaigned aggressively on scrapping the state-based exchange kynect and altering expanded Medicaid, to reconsider his position on Friday. Beshear mentioned Bevin by name repeatedly during a Capitol news conference highlighting recent health progress in the state, pointing to statistics showing increased health coverage and economic activities in his appeal to the Republican. “During election season the political rhetoric... Read more
Dakota Meyer named grand marshal of Gov.-elect Matt Bevin's inaugural parade
11/13/2015 02:17 PM
Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer will serve as grand marshal of Gov.-elect Matt Bevin’s Inaugural Parade, Bevin’s team announced on Friday. Meyer is one of only three living recipients of the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest decoration. On Sept. 8, 2009, the then-21-year-old Meyer is credited with saving 36 Marines from Taliban forces. “It is truly an honor to have Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Dakota Meyer to serve as our Grand Marshall,” Bevin said in... Read more
As a high school freshman, Chase Haskins quickly found trouble. He started hanging with a rough crew, getting into fights, skipping class and talking back to teachers. “We weren’t carrying guns or nothing. We were just doing the wrong stuff, getting in trouble,” he said. But the long-term effects that he said often come with causing trouble — death, disease or prison — didn’t look that appealing. So, he decided to make a change. He met a mentor with the Right Turn program about a year ago. Instead of being on the street with friends, he spent time in community centers learning about and discussing issues that [...]
Wed, Nov 18, 2015 1:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
In the final weeks of Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration, state regulators and legislators haven’t closed the door on the possibility that Kentucky will create its own plan to comply with upcoming federal carbon dioxide regulations. Len Peters, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, spoke Tuesday before a special legislative task force made up of lawmakers and industry representatives. Kentucky is one of more than two dozen states and industry groups that are suing the EPA in hopes of blocking the rules to further limit carbon pollution. If that lawsuit is unsuccessful, Governor-elect Matt Bevin has said he won’t submit an individual state plan to comply with [...]
Wed, Nov 18, 2015 12:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
A clear majority of union workers at Ford’s two Louisville production plants have rejected a proposed new contract with the Detroit automaker, according to various media reports this morning. More than 9,000 members of the United Auto Workers are employed at the Louisville Assembly Plant and the Kentucky Truck Plant. They voted yesterday on the proposed four-year labor deal, which was negotiated by the national UAW and Ford officials. It included an $8,500 signing bonus for union workers and $1.3 billion in new Ford investments in the two local facilities. The local UAW 862 still has a message from national UAW leaders posted on its [...]
Wed, Nov 18, 2015 12:28:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
