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Political BLOG |
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Joe Arnold
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February 2008 ArchivesPresident Bush's job approval rating continues to stink in Kentucky. ...The Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk is the target of an investigation directed by the Kentucky Supreme Court, an investigation that could lead to the clerk's removal from office. ...House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Chairman Harry Moberly is dropping his bill to require all school districts to levy a 3% utility tax. ...A spokesman for Bruce Lunsford's U.S. Senate campaign says there shouldn't be any controversy over Lunsford listing Chicago as his home on some property transfer papers. ...Good grief. Kentucky leads the nation in one category that we'd rather not, the increase in inmate population. Apparently other states are way ahead of Kentucky in the move to keep non-violent offenders off the prison roles. ...Some of the same labor unions that considered Bruce Lunsford a virtual reincarnation of the devil, have now endorsed his campaign for U.S. Senate. Apparently they view Lunsford as the democrat with the best chance of beating the true devil (in the eyes of labor leaders) Mitch McConnell. ...U.S. Senator Larry Craig is looking for a few good interns this summer. Kentuckians are welcome to apply. ...The Kentucky Democratic Party is claiming that John McCain didn't jump through all the proper hoops to get his name on Kentucky's ballot for the May primary. ...There are more hoosiers who think Gov. Mitch Daniels is doing a poor job rather than a good one. Only half of Jefferson County's 18 House members say they'd vote for the casino bill as it is currently written. Here's the story I did today after polling all of the Louisville House members today or relied on their previous votes and statements to come with this list: ...The horse industry and anti-casino folks don't like it. Steve Beshear isn't thrilled about it. But a House committee has passed a casino bill late this afternoon. More on that, Jody Richards' promise to the tracks and Dottie Sims' flowers when you read on. ...The new governor and attorney general are apparently close to resolving a dispute they inherited over Governor Fletcher's appointment of too many republicans to state university boards. ...Some of you may have seen my story on Monday about the Transportation Security Administration importing screeners from the Greater Cincinnati Airport to the Louisville Airport. The AP's Bruce Schreiner has picked up the story. ...Many of you know that Governor Fletcher's former press secretary, Brett Hall runs a blog called KyPolitics.org. Occasionally he comes up with some good stuff. Occasionally he just makes up stuff. This was one of those days he did both. ...John McCain is apologizing for remarks made by a conservative Cincinnati talk show host at a rally for McCain. WLW's Bill Cunningham repeatedly used Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein, when referring to the democratic presidential candidate during a warm-up speech to a crowd of McCain supporters. ...As Mark mentioned, this is a big tax increase proposal.. ...House Appropriations and Revenue Committee chairman Harry Moberly is proposing a bill to make the gross utilities tax a statewide tax, set at 3%. That would affect about 19 counties, most notably Jefferson County, which doesn't have a utilities tax now. ...A hat tip to PageOneKentucky for this one. Bruce Lunsford and a companion have recently purchased a home in Arizona. Go about halfway down the page to find the transaction. ...The Kentucky Democratic Party is using a story in the Lexington Herald-Leader to claim that Sen. Jim Bunning has an ethics problem, because he's paying his daughter to handle his campaign books. ...Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson has asked the Legislative Ethics Commission and the Attorney General's Office to launch an immediate investigation of House Speaker Jody Richards and two house members for their roles in developing casino legislation. ...Former state senator Walter Baker has resigned from the Council on Postsecondary Education. ...Rep. Dottie Sims, who voted for the version of the casino bill that includes up to 5 guaranteed licenses for racetracks, has been kicked off the committee and replaced by two democrats who oppose the racetrack-specific language. ...Governor Beshear is meeting with House Democratic leaders at 7 tonight in his office. Apparently the governor will be urging the democratic leaders to get their act together and agree on one casino bill. ...The Kentucky Republican Party is using one of my blog posting and statements on KET's "Comment on Kentucky" to try and flesh out folks who may be getting "shaken down" in connection with the casino bill. ...I've been looking for some polling to see if Hillary Clinton is going to hang on in the democratic primary for president. Here's the polling from those two states. ...The powerful Kentucky School Boards Association wants lawmakers to put the casino issue on the ballot. Here's the news release from the KSBA: ...A handful of legislators are trying to lift Kentucky's ban on nuclear power plants. ...Ryan Alessi writes today about the fractured House leadership which I have discussed on this page and on "Comment on Kentucky." One note: Alessi alligns Rocky Adkins with Jody Richards and Charlie Hoffman. I'm not sure that's accurate. From my view, it appears Adkins has attempted to be the peacemaker and a swing vote between the two competing factions. ...Occasionally I'll abuse the use of this political web page to report on my family's excursions. This is one of those times. You guys who can't figure out what to get your wife for her birthday or anniversary.....I've got you covered. ...Arch conservative Dr. Frank Simon is making phone calls again, this time to Jefferson County Republicans who may be upset with their local party's leadership. ...Tom Loftus is reporting that House A and R chairman Harry Moberly is putting together a package of $400 million in tax hikes and other money for the House to consider. ...Wasn't the Attorney General supposed to be recommending Personnel Board appointees to the governor? Apparently not since Ernie Fletcher left office. ...The first widespread effort to lobby legislators on the casino bill has arrived in mailboxes across Kentucky. ...The new fulltime host of "Comment on Kentucky" will be joined by me, Al Cross and Stephenie Steitzer of the C-J tonight. ...The AP has Bill Yung's cell phone number, apparently. This week Mr. Yung tells the AP that he's not ashamed of his giant contributions to Steve Beshear's political causes. ...Governor Beshear has received the names of three nominees for the open 4th district Circuit Judgeship in Jefferson County, but not before the initial list of three names got screwed up and fixed. ...Republican Louisville Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins has a link to his state senate campaign website on his official metro council website. Not too smart. ...The Lexington Herald-Leader tracks down what appears to be a conflict of interest for Ernie Fletcher's friend Steve Branscum, in connection with a hotel deal at the Horse Park. ...Our health is lousy and our schools aren't the greatest, but our preparedness for germ warfare is pretty good!!!! Here's the news release: ...A controversial bill that would require teenage girls to be vaccinated against cervical cancer has passed the House. ...It appears that some house members, perhaps including the House Speaker, are trying to whip the horse industry into shape on the casino bill, perhaps for political reasons. ...Some of the victims of the Catholic priest sex abuse scandal in Kentucky have managed to push tougher child sex abuse laws through the House Judiciary Committee. ...Governor Steve Beshear found himself on the receiving end of some boos when he was introduced at a rally of university students in the Capitol Rotunda today. ...Governor Steve Beshear told reporters today that he can live with the maximum of nine casinos proposed by a house committee. ...A legislative panel has voted to abolish the State Treasurer's Office. The republican senators who support this plan do know that Jonathan Miller isn't the Treasurer anymore, don't they? ...He couldn't buy them a beer because it was Rupp Arena, not Freedom Hall, but Governor Beshear did sit with five democratic house members at a UK basketball game last night. ...Tom Loftus has pieced together some interesting tidbits about a deal Pikeville Hospital got from the state just before Ernie Fletcher left office. And now, Fletcher is working for that hospital, which won't say how much they're paying him. Hmmmmm. ...Senate Republicans are moving to get rid of the CATS test. ...A republican-leaning blog has a snippet on another senate effort to get rid of the State Treasurer's office. ...It wasn't a good day for Governor Beshear and Kentucky's horse racing tracks as they took a beating from democratic members of the House Casino Study Group. Here's my story about the Beshear/Tracks whipping. ...He was beaten in a state senate election last month, but today Scott Alexander is back for another round, this time as a candidate for the Kentucky House of Representatives. ...A draft of Governor Beshear's plan to overhaul and financially stabilize Kentucky's public employee retirement systems has been obtained by WHAS 11 News. ...Kentucky 2nd District Congressman Ron Lewis has promised to give "the majority" of his leftover campaign funds to the Kentucky Republican Party, according to party chairman Steve Robertson. ...Former WAVE-TV Frankfort reporter Ferrell Wellman is the new full time host of KET's "Comment on Kentucky" program. KET made the announcement this morning. ...Jill Johnson Keeney's column in this Sunday's C-J is a pretty good reflection of the attitude of most folks in Frankfort right now. ...The latest Survey USA/WHAS 11 poll shows President Bush's job approval rating in Kentucky is 38% with 60% saying Bush is doing a poor job. Bush's numbers would have been worse except for the support he received from folks in eastern Kentucky (huh?). ...It appears that Gov. Steve Beshear's casino bill puts the track licenses on equal footing with the free standing casinos. But the tax rate of 50.65% may well drive away any potential bidders for the free standing parlors. Casino operator Bill Yung told the AP "that's too high" and said the tax rate won't work. That would give a monopoly to the tracks. ...I love this story. Two groups are fighting over who should get the money from the "In God We Trust" license plates that have been proposed for the state of Kentucky. Just one question, don't convicted felons make these plates in prison, as part of the Correctional Industries program? ...Kentucky 1st District Congressman Ed Whitfield has stuck his neck out and endorsed John McCain for President. Yesterday. After McCain had already wrapped up the republican nomination. ...According to the latest Survey USA/WHAS 11 poll, Sen. Mitch McConnell's job approval rating is its highest since last June. ...Senate President David Williams took the Senate floor almost as soon as his chamber went into session on Friday, extolling the evils of casino gambling and challenging casino supporters to "stand up", literally. ...The latest Survey USA/WHAS 11 poll shows Governor Steve Beshear's job approval rating has dropped ten points since January. ...Citing another round of health concerns, Albert Mohler Jr. has dropped his quest to become the head of the Southern Baptist Convention. Mohler is currently the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. ...A taxpayer watchdog group has listed the amount of earmarked spending each member of Congress has in the 2008 Appropriations Bill. It's no surprise that Hal Rogers leads the Kentucky delegation. ...Former Governor Ernie Fletcher has a job as a consultant with a hospital in Pikeville. The AP's Roger Alford has the story: ...Here's the story I did tonight as well as some of the details of Steve Beshear's casino legislation: ...I'm the guest host on KET's "Comment on Kentucky" this week. I'll have two newcomers on the program, Al Mayo from Kentucky Radio Network and Roger Alford from the A.P. I'll also have the Lexington Herald-Leader's resident casino guru, Janet Patton and the jack of all trades, Ronnie Ellis. And KET may be announcing the new full time host for "Comment" next week. ...If the posting on a conservative blog is true, then we now know what smells so bad about the city of Versailles floating an industrial revenue bond for some private developers. ...Senators David Williams and Dan Kelly took a trip to Turkey last year courtesy of a non-profit group which is funded by big companies. ...Sorry kids, Uncle Mark is home sick today so he can't come out and play. I'm sure the little boys and girls in Frankfort are providing plenty of entertainment and I'm missing it. Maybe Joe Arnold, who's covering for me today, will write about his Frankfort experience. ...Governor Fletcher has reached into his own wallet to pay the state more than six thousand dollars for use of a state plane in December. ...The real question in this story is, who would want his job (answer below)? Jack Richardson IV tells WHAS 11 News he's stepping down as chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. ...The House Tranportation Committee will consider legislation next week that would put restrictions on driving and using cell phones. ...A legislative committee has passed a bill authorizing another specialty license plate in Kentucky, if enough folks sign up. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jim Gooch. ...A report from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Inspector General says eight employees who were suspended for improper internet use appear to be the victims of retaliation. ...Andrew Horne doesn't have the cash to keep up with his well heeled opponents (Fischer and Lunsford) in the U.S. Senate race, so he's calling it quits. ...The head of Kentucky's Republican party wants the F.B.I. to investigate possible ties between casino operator Bill Yung and the Beshear administration. ...Kentucky's legislature will meet in the Old Capitol Building in Frankfort on Tuesday, to help commemorate the beginning of the Lincoln Bicentennial. ...Bill Yung's name has surfaced in Kentucky news stories in recent weeks. He's the casino operator who gave big bucks to Gov. Beshear's inauguration and an independent 527 committee that helped get Beshear elected. ...The Kentucky Enquirer's Pat Crowley says Steve Beshear is making the same mistake Ernie Fletcher made early in his administration, believing Kentuckians voted FOR him, instead of AGAINST the other guy. ...Like Larry Dale Keeling, I can't figure out why the Beshear folks didn't submit an Alford plea last week in the Eric Landis job fiasco. ...A WHAS 11 News investigation has found that House Speaker Jody Richards may have broken the law by paying debts from his 2003 gubernatorial campaign with money from his House reelection account. Richards says he's done nothing wrong and he may be right. ...After mild criticism from Governor Beshear, Education Commissioner Jon Draud has withdrawn his request for additional paid days off in his contract. ...Congressman John Yarmuth may disappoint many of the democratic women who helped elect him with his actions this morning. ...The founder of the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky believes Darwin's theory of evolution is based on racist tendencies. ...The Lexington Herald-Leader has a bizarre story about the City of VERSAILLES financing a deal between two private companies for buildings in FRANKFORT that currently house state offices. Governor Steve Beshear has put some new faces on the Kentucky Commission on Women, replacing Ernie Fletcher's appointees. Here's the news release: ...New Education Commissioner Jon Draud is getting a healthy number of sick days courtesy of the State Board of Education. ...It appears state Rep. Jim Gooch would like to see some of his critics forced to sign up as lobbyists. ...Governor Steve Beshear's Administration isn't backing off its decision to fire former Fletcher advance man Eric Landis, even though Landis believes his firing violation state and federal laws that protect the jobs of returning soldiers. ...Wow, what a day in 2nd Congressional District politics. Ron Lewis has admitted he blew it by trying to slide his aide, Daniel London, into the GOP nomination for his seat. ...It's a story I broke months ago, before the Louisville Metro government's budget crisis had hit. Didn't city finance officers screw up this year's revenue estimates by ignoring one time monies that were included in last year's tax revenues? Apparently metro council members are asking the same question. ...Senate President David Williams says Gov. Beshear made political errors in getting involved in an eastern Kentucky senate race and it may cost him any chance of getting casinos on the ballot. ...The campaign manager for 2nd District Congressional candidate Daniel London has quit. ...Governor Fletcher's Chief of Staff apparently got a warm hug and cup of cocoa from state senators today. ...Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo claims the loss of his former senate seat to the republicans is not a big political loss for Gov. Steve Beshear. ...Governor Beshear's administration may have illegally fired a holdover from the Fletcher administration who had just returned from active duty training for the Kentucky Air National Guard. ...President Bush won't be coming to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration in Hodgenville as organizers had hoped. ...Thanks to all who watched and contributed to what has been described as a Louisville broadcasting first, live TV coverage of an election exclusively online. Here's some closing thoughts on Super Tuesday from a remarkable panel. ...Folks on both sides of the political aisle will be trying to spin Brandon Smith's win in his state senate race, but I'll try to add a little perspective: ...Chief Justice Joseph Lambert has had a task force studying tort reform and abuses of the legal system since September. We got a news release about it today. In the middle of a legislative session in which Sen. David Williams is again clamoring for a constitutional amendment to limit jury awards. ...A couple of funny notes from today's action in Frankfort. ...As I first reported on this blog space, there's a disagreement on whether Steve Beshear promised the sponsor of the cigarette tax bill that he wouldn't veto that legislation. ...As WHAS11 News first reported today, Kentucky is looking to benefit from the federal government's decision to deep six the FutureGen project and spin it into smaller research projects. ...As proven by the results of Super Tuesday, candidate endorsements mean virtually nothing to voters. But since I've already listed the endorsement news release from the Daniel London campaign for Congress, here's the endorsement release from his opponent, Sen. Brett Guthrie. ...The headline was too easy. Sorry. Don't mean to denigrate. ...Here are some intriguing Survey USA poll results, asking Kentucky and Indiana voters how they would vote in specific head to head contests. ...How would Kentucky vote if Hillary Clinton and John McCain win their parties' nominations? That's one of four head-to-head scenarios in SurveyUSA's latest general election tracking poll. I will release the exclusive poll results on WHAS11 News at 6pm and again on WHAS11.com as part of our Super Tuesday webcast. I'll also be sure to post them here on the political blog. ...Log on to WHAS11.com tonight at 9pm for Super Tuesday analysis and reaction from a Kentuckiana perspective. Plus, more live reaction during our late newscasts. Here is our all-star lineup! ...Outside of casinos and the budget, nothing has gotten more attention in the first few weeks of the legisaltive session than the Ohio River Bridges project in Louisville. ...Did Governor Beshear tell state Rep. David Watkins he'd sign a cigarette tax bill or not? ...Sorry for the puns, but Daniel London's name is made for headline writing. Congressman Ron Lewis' handpicked successor claims he's picking up a bunch of endorsements from County Judge-Executives and others in the 2nd District. ...Here's a web page that will test which presidential candidate has views closest to yours. I don't know if it's accurate but it's fun. ...It appears Rep. Ron Lewis' handpicked successor at least had a pretty good inkling his boss wasn't going to run for another term in congress a few weeks before the filing deadline. ...A new WHAS11/Survey USA Poll shows Kentuckians are widely split on whether to raise Kentucky's cigarette tax. ...I should have done this story a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get around to it. Joe Gerth of the C-J did. As Steve Beshear is learning, there's a fine line between owing a huge debt of gratitute to someone and selling your soul to them. U of L staffers may have learned that lesson. ...One time Lt. Governor candidate Hunter Bates is now a lobbyist. And according to a story in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Bates is doing quite well convincing state lawmakers to pass education legislation that will help some of the companies that he represents. ...PageOneKentucky is reporting that Louisville lawyer and Iraq war vet Andrew Horne is having a tough time raising money for his U.S. Senate race (thanks for the correction reader!!!) ...The Bluegrass Freedom Fund, which ran hundreds of TV ads attacking Ernie Fletcher during last year's governor's race, raised more than three million dollars, most of it from casino and horse interests. ...Senate President David Williams is ticked off at Sen. Daniel Mongiardo for comments he's made about Williams during the 30th District Senate race. ... |
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WHAS11.com Political Blog
WHAS11 Reporters blog the latest political news from the campaign trail and beyond. 
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