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Political BLOG |
 May 2008
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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. ... |