WHAS11 Political Blog

Wonder When Consumer Groups Get Their Closed Door, One-on-ones With P.S.C.

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:04:08 -0500

The Kentucky Public Service Commission has invited a number of utility companies to a "meet and greet" session with the three new Public Service Commission members. It's not open to the public. The contact person is Stephanie Bell. She's the new $70K+ staffer at the P.S.C. who has, in the past, been a democratic fundraiser.

Rev. Louis Coleman Dies

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:23:31 -0500

The most well known civil rights activist in Kentucky has died. Rev. Louis Coleman died Saturday. Here's WHAS 11's coverage of Coleman's death. I think it's fair to say that I knew Coleman as well as any reporter so I'll try to piece together my own memories of Coleman, good and bad, and write something on Sunday or Monday.

AG Is Investigating Gas Wholesalers and Retailers

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:04:46 -0500

Kentucky's Attorney General has launched an investigation into the discrepancy in gas prices between the Louisville area and the rest of the state. Jack Conway says there doesn't appear to be any logical reason the prices in Louisville are 30-40 cents higher than the rest of the state. But the gasoline industry and Anne Northup say Conway will find it's the high cost of making and transporting the special, environmentally friendly, reformulated gasoline that's caused local prices to shoot up. Here's the WHAS11 coverage and my story.

More On Miller's Role With Payday Lenders

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:01:01 -0500

The Lexington Herald-Leader has more on the rehiring of Tom Miller into state government, including a response from the Beshear administration.

Brown Out, Blanton In at Gov's Office

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:48:13 -0500

After just a half year on the job, Dick Brown is out as the chief spokesman for Governor Beshear. University of Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton will take over the governor's chores while Brown moves to the old Environmental Protection Cabinet. Mark York was asked to resign from the PR job in that cabinet to make way for Brown. Here's the AP story:

Governor Abolishes Horse Racing Authority

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:28:26 -0500

Governor Beshear has abolished the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, forming a new board called the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The new commission contains many of the same members as the Horse Racing Authority though Beshear replaced Authority vice-chair Connie Whitfield with his chief backer and campaign fundraiser Tracy Farmer. Whitfield is the wife of republican congressman Ed Whitfield. Also joining the new commission is Michael Pitino, the son of U of L basketball coach Rick Pitino. Here's the release from the governor's office:

Governor Gives Vets Advantage on Getting State Jobs

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:12:41 -0500

Governor Beshear has restored the preference for veterans in state hiring decisions. A few opponents have argued that there shouldn't be any preferences in state hiring because it could skew the search for the best qualified applicants. Here's the release from the governor's office:

Transportation Cabinet Restructuring

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:32:29 -0500

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is getting an overhaul of its bureaucratic structure. A release from the cabinet says the restructuring is designed to make the road building agency run more efficiently:

Ellis Park Closing - BREAKING

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:54:47 -0500

The Courier-Journal is reporting that Ellis Park racetrack in Henderson is closing for good. Former Rescare CEO Ron Geary told the newspaper that he just can't make a go of it.

Beshear, Conway to Investigate Possible Price Gouging at Louisville Gas Pumps

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:00:12 -0500

Governor Beshear and Attorney General Jack Conway say they'll be launching a state investigation of possible price gouging by Louisville gasoline dealers. Louisville's gas prices are among the highest in country and Beshear says the claim that special RFG gas costs more, doesn't explain why Louisvillians are a dime or more per gallon that motorists in Covington, who are also buying gas containing RFG. See WHAS11's coverage.

McConnell Dodges Reporters

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:54:14 -0500

After speaking at a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce function yesterday, Sen. Mitch McConnell apparently told reporters he'd be glad to talk to them after he went to the potty. Instead, McConnell flushed himself out a door, according to the C-J's account.

Democratic Fundraiser Gets 72K Job With PSC

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:46:26 -0500

Sgtephanie Bell, who has helped democrats raise thousands of dollars, is back in state government. Bell has landed a $72,000/yr. job that appears to have been created for her, according to a story by Lexington Herald Leader reporter John Cheves.

GOP Website Blasts Miller Appointment

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:42:41 -0500

KyPolitics.org has a reminder about the previous stint of new Revenue Commissioner Tom Miller. Miller was forced out by the Fletcher administration.

Gov. Appoints Members of LTP Board

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:21:20 -0500

Governor Beshear has appointed three new members to the Long Term Policy Research Center Board, including former republican state senator Lindy Casebier.

Former Fish and Wildlife Commissioner in Critical Condition

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:03:40 -0500

Longtime Kentucky government employee and former state Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Tom Bennett is in critical but stable condition at a Louisville hospital suffering from an apparent tick-borne illness. And Bennett's family is putting out an urgent plea for plasma donations Bennett needs for treatment.