Kentucky state Rep. Ron Crimm and Sen. Jimmy Higdon have pre-filed bills (here and here) to help undo the damage caused by HB 299 from 2005, the legislative pension scandal bill. That bill, championed by Senate President David Williams helped weaken Williams' case for defeating Governor Steve Beshear.
In one week, Williams will be tempted to blame the Tea Party for his loss in the election. It won't work.
Monday, October 31, 2011
What Obama wants to hear from you
Today is the last day for public comment on President Barack Obama's proposed rules for state health insurance exchanges.
What you will find if you go to the site to comment, though, is little more than Obama's proposals, a closed (and empty) comments section and a dead link. Click here to see for yourself.
And if you haven't heard, Kentucky's political leadership in both parties is already engaged in limiting our ability to sidestep this mess.
What you will find if you go to the site to comment, though, is little more than Obama's proposals, a closed (and empty) comments section and a dead link. Click here to see for yourself.
And if you haven't heard, Kentucky's political leadership in both parties is already engaged in limiting our ability to sidestep this mess.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Big endorsement for P'Pool coming Monday
Kentucky Republican Attorney General candidate Todd P'Pool will be getting a major endorsement on Monday, which should bring significant attention to the national implications of his race.
P'Pool has campaigned effectively in opposition to his opponent's support for ObamaCare and the EPA's war on coal. Unfortunately, Governor Steve Beshear is cruising to victory and most observers expect that to negatively impact the races of other Republicans on the November 8 ballot.
P'Pool has campaigned effectively in opposition to his opponent's support for ObamaCare and the EPA's war on coal. Unfortunately, Governor Steve Beshear is cruising to victory and most observers expect that to negatively impact the races of other Republicans on the November 8 ballot.
Crit Luallen still playing Frankfort games
Kentucky state Auditor Crit Luallen is sitting on a potentially embarrassing audit report of Perry County Sheriff Les Burgett's office.
Sources inside the Auditor's office say the report was due out early last week, but that its release has been inexplicably delayed.
Luallen has already endorsed fellow Frankfort insider Adam Edelen to succeed her in office. Edelen faces Tea Party Republican John Kemper in the November 8 election.
Sources inside the Auditor's office say the report was due out early last week, but that its release has been inexplicably delayed.
Luallen has already endorsed fellow Frankfort insider Adam Edelen to succeed her in office. Edelen faces Tea Party Republican John Kemper in the November 8 election.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Another attempt to criminalize Tea Party
Frankfort's political establishment continues to pull every possible dirty trick to stop grassroots political activists from knocking them off their perch and cleaning up their mess once and for all. The latest effort could criminalize door-to-door campaigning, an activity at which Tea Partiers are becoming particularly effective across the state.
State Rep. Dennis Keene has pre-filed, HB 63, a bill which would make attaching fliers to voters' front doors a Class A misdemeanor. On top of Kentucky's ridiculous and unconstitutional campaign finance laws, fining citizens for campaigning door-to-door can't be tolerated in a society that prides itself on the freedoms of its citizenry.
State Rep. Dennis Keene has pre-filed, HB 63, a bill which would make attaching fliers to voters' front doors a Class A misdemeanor. On top of Kentucky's ridiculous and unconstitutional campaign finance laws, fining citizens for campaigning door-to-door can't be tolerated in a society that prides itself on the freedoms of its citizenry.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Rand Paul endorses John Kemper
Sen. Rand Paul has endorsed candidate for Auditor of Public Accounts John Kemper in the November 8 election.
"As a Kentuckian, a conservative and a constant thorn in the side of the political status quo, I fully support John Kemper for Kentucky state Auditor," Sen. Paul said.
"At times, Frankfort can be a lot like Washington. The political class believes it knows what is best and doesn't listen to the voice of the people. I can tell you John Kemper would fight the establishment in Frankfort. Fight it every day. And he would bring honesty and transparency to our state finances."
"As a Kentuckian, a conservative and a constant thorn in the side of the political status quo, I fully support John Kemper for Kentucky state Auditor," Sen. Paul said.
"At times, Frankfort can be a lot like Washington. The political class believes it knows what is best and doesn't listen to the voice of the people. I can tell you John Kemper would fight the establishment in Frankfort. Fight it every day. And he would bring honesty and transparency to our state finances."
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Florida, watch Kentucky on welfare abuse
Florida's drug testing of welfare recipients law has been in the news this week because a judge there stopped the testing, saying the law is unconstitutional.
The judge is right, but Floridians eager to reduce welfare abuse need only look to Kentucky State Representative Lonnie Napier for guidance.
Florida's law indiscriminately drug tests all welfare recipients. Drug testing of welfare recipients can only work if there is probable cause to suspect drug use. And remember, this only affects people who are on public assistance.
Rep. Napier's bill not only orders drug tests for welfare recipients suspected likely to test positive, it also removes benefits from people who refuse to be tested. Should the Kentucky bill be enacted, it's likely very few tests will actually be given because those targeted will just not show up to be tested and will then be dropped from the rolls.
Florida's law not only fails the constitutional test, it fails the common sense test by wasting lots of money testing everyone on welfare. Resistance to Napier's bill is strong in Kentucky's dysfunctional legislature, but Florida would do very well to follow his lead.
And then hopefully their results will help us change Frankfort.
The judge is right, but Floridians eager to reduce welfare abuse need only look to Kentucky State Representative Lonnie Napier for guidance.
Florida's law indiscriminately drug tests all welfare recipients. Drug testing of welfare recipients can only work if there is probable cause to suspect drug use. And remember, this only affects people who are on public assistance.
Rep. Napier's bill not only orders drug tests for welfare recipients suspected likely to test positive, it also removes benefits from people who refuse to be tested. Should the Kentucky bill be enacted, it's likely very few tests will actually be given because those targeted will just not show up to be tested and will then be dropped from the rolls.
Florida's law not only fails the constitutional test, it fails the common sense test by wasting lots of money testing everyone on welfare. Resistance to Napier's bill is strong in Kentucky's dysfunctional legislature, but Florida would do very well to follow his lead.
And then hopefully their results will help us change Frankfort.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Kentucky's dumber than usual governor's race
Despite having millions of dollars at their disposal, the Beshear/Williams lovefest this fall has been a pretty disheartening affair. And Kentuckians will be paying a price for it for some time to come.
I understand that not everyone is a policy wonk and that races such as this are often turned on emotional appeals rather than rational debate, but in a time of real crisis such as this people are looking for real answers and that opportunity has been missed.
Governor Steve Beshear's message is that he has done a good job managing the state's finances (which is demonstrably false) and that David Williams has blocked his two great ideas, casino gambling and raising the school drop-out age to eighteen. Beshear has also lied about creating (or saving) lots of jobs and is now charging Williams with campaign finance violations.
Senate President David Williams' primary message is that Beshear isn't a leader, doesn't have a plan and that he (Williams) will be a "bold" governor. But nearly all of Williams' economic policy positions have shifted too much over time to be taken seriously now. Williams has also tried to pin campaign finance violations on Beshear.
Politicians often talk about "campaign finance violations" when they have nothing else to say.
The most important issues in this election would be our state's fiscal situation and the economy if we had candidates with credibility. Since we don't, we are stuck watching these two campaigns squabble over how they are funding their television ads.
Gatewood Galbraith is right when he says now is the perfect time for Kentucky to go in a different direction with a different kind of governor. He hasn't managed to capture the tiger even by the tail, though, for a variety of reasons not worth getting into here.
The bottom line is Beshear will win re-election handily and for all the wrong reasons while Williams goes back into the Senate with a higher profile. That may not work out very well for him, though.
I understand that not everyone is a policy wonk and that races such as this are often turned on emotional appeals rather than rational debate, but in a time of real crisis such as this people are looking for real answers and that opportunity has been missed.
Governor Steve Beshear's message is that he has done a good job managing the state's finances (which is demonstrably false) and that David Williams has blocked his two great ideas, casino gambling and raising the school drop-out age to eighteen. Beshear has also lied about creating (or saving) lots of jobs and is now charging Williams with campaign finance violations.
Senate President David Williams' primary message is that Beshear isn't a leader, doesn't have a plan and that he (Williams) will be a "bold" governor. But nearly all of Williams' economic policy positions have shifted too much over time to be taken seriously now. Williams has also tried to pin campaign finance violations on Beshear.
Politicians often talk about "campaign finance violations" when they have nothing else to say.
The most important issues in this election would be our state's fiscal situation and the economy if we had candidates with credibility. Since we don't, we are stuck watching these two campaigns squabble over how they are funding their television ads.
Gatewood Galbraith is right when he says now is the perfect time for Kentucky to go in a different direction with a different kind of governor. He hasn't managed to capture the tiger even by the tail, though, for a variety of reasons not worth getting into here.
The bottom line is Beshear will win re-election handily and for all the wrong reasons while Williams goes back into the Senate with a higher profile. That may not work out very well for him, though.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Do you feel protected now?
A Frankfort judge agreed today to let Restoring America air its tv ads supporting Senate President David Williams after Williams' father-in-law divulged that he has given $2.3 million to independent groups to promote Williams' gubernatorial campaign.
So according to the geniuses who thought up Kentucky's ridiculous campaign finance laws, you weren't protected on Monday when you didn't know who was paying for the ads, but you are now because you know.
Feel better?
Campaign finance restrictions are a charade and don't benefit the political process or protect any citizens. The genie is out of the bottle after the Citizens United case and it is just going to get more bizarre. We should beat the rush and repeal all of our campaign finance laws. Then we can turn our focus completely to the quality of candidates' positions and stop twiddling our thumbs watching this garbage.
So according to the geniuses who thought up Kentucky's ridiculous campaign finance laws, you weren't protected on Monday when you didn't know who was paying for the ads, but you are now because you know.
Feel better?
Campaign finance restrictions are a charade and don't benefit the political process or protect any citizens. The genie is out of the bottle after the Citizens United case and it is just going to get more bizarre. We should beat the rush and repeal all of our campaign finance laws. Then we can turn our focus completely to the quality of candidates' positions and stop twiddling our thumbs watching this garbage.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Panicked Democrat attacks Tea Party
The former chief of staff to Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear made a stump speech for him today and flipped out talking about the Tea Party.
As reported on NKY.com, Adam Edelen said "the Republican Party in Kentucky has been completely taken over by the tea party. What that means for us, the Democratic Party is the mainstream party reflecting the mainstream values of Kentucky voters of any party in Kentucky."
What is it with these guys? All the Tea Party wants is smaller government, balanced budgets and to be left alone. Faced with enormous and growing government deficits and bureaucratic encroachment on our rights and in our lives far beyond anything allowed by any constitution on the federal or state level, the mainstream is becoming more tea party every day.
I take it that Mr. Edelen's answer to his Tea Party Republican opponent John Kemper's modest and very mainstream request from earlier today is no.
As reported on NKY.com, Adam Edelen said "the Republican Party in Kentucky has been completely taken over by the tea party. What that means for us, the Democratic Party is the mainstream party reflecting the mainstream values of Kentucky voters of any party in Kentucky."
What is it with these guys? All the Tea Party wants is smaller government, balanced budgets and to be left alone. Faced with enormous and growing government deficits and bureaucratic encroachment on our rights and in our lives far beyond anything allowed by any constitution on the federal or state level, the mainstream is becoming more tea party every day.
I take it that Mr. Edelen's answer to his Tea Party Republican opponent John Kemper's modest and very mainstream request from earlier today is no.
John Kemper leads the way
Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts candidate John Kemper took the unprecedented step today of returning all campaign contributions from government officials who he may have to audit and then challenged his opponent to do the same.
Democratic candidate Adam Edelen was last seen hiding under his desk.
Edelen has run his campaign so far as the ultimate insider: a former chief of staff to Governor Steve Beshear with aspirations to higher office himself.
Edelen may return all his contributions in an attempt to eschew conflicts of interest he would face as Auditor, but he can't run away now from this power play he and Beshear so carefully engineered for themselves.
Kentuckians need to be able to depend on their Auditor to keep government officials accountable. Even when it means taking on the Governor. No one seriously believes John Kemper's insider opponent has any interest in doing that.
John Kemper is Kentucky's only chance to have an independent auditor for the next four years.
Democratic candidate Adam Edelen was last seen hiding under his desk.
Edelen has run his campaign so far as the ultimate insider: a former chief of staff to Governor Steve Beshear with aspirations to higher office himself.
Edelen may return all his contributions in an attempt to eschew conflicts of interest he would face as Auditor, but he can't run away now from this power play he and Beshear so carefully engineered for themselves.
Kentuckians need to be able to depend on their Auditor to keep government officials accountable. Even when it means taking on the Governor. No one seriously believes John Kemper's insider opponent has any interest in doing that.
John Kemper is Kentucky's only chance to have an independent auditor for the next four years.
The Shut Up and Work Act of 2012
Leaders of the Kentucky legislature waste time in even-year legislative sessions for two painfully obvious reasons, both of which hurt Kentuckians.
The spans the month of January and involves politicians taking up as few controversial issues as possible in order to get past the candidate filing deadline without attracting opponents who might unseat them. The second follows toward the end of the session when leaders write the state budget in secret as time runs out and without appropriate public scrutiny.
A potential help to the problem of paying legislators to lollygag around wasting time and money and protecting their political backsides comes in the form of a proposed constitutional amendment from Sen. Jimmy Higdon.
The bill will be SB 22 in the 2012 session. It proposes to change the 60 day budget session into a 30 day budget session. We could surely do with a lot less of watching our politicians kill time with self-congratulatory speechifying. They have one job to do in even-numbered years and that is to pass a budget. They should focus on that and nothing else until it is done. Cutting the time for the budget sessions in half would surely encourage more of them to shut up and work.
The gubernatorial candidates would do well to weigh in on this bill right away.
The spans the month of January and involves politicians taking up as few controversial issues as possible in order to get past the candidate filing deadline without attracting opponents who might unseat them. The second follows toward the end of the session when leaders write the state budget in secret as time runs out and without appropriate public scrutiny.
A potential help to the problem of paying legislators to lollygag around wasting time and money and protecting their political backsides comes in the form of a proposed constitutional amendment from Sen. Jimmy Higdon.
The bill will be SB 22 in the 2012 session. It proposes to change the 60 day budget session into a 30 day budget session. We could surely do with a lot less of watching our politicians kill time with self-congratulatory speechifying. They have one job to do in even-numbered years and that is to pass a budget. They should focus on that and nothing else until it is done. Cutting the time for the budget sessions in half would surely encourage more of them to shut up and work.
The gubernatorial candidates would do well to weigh in on this bill right away.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Todd P'pool, don't take the bait!
An independent expenditure group supporting Senate President David Williams' gubernatorial campaign was ordered Monday to pull its television ads off the air after a legal complaint by the Kentucky Democratic Party. The KDP argued campaign finance reports filed by "Restoring America" did not show who paid for the ads and that such an omission violates campaign finance laws.
On Tuesday, a group supporting Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway started airing a tv ad. The "Bluegrass Committee for Justice and Fairness" also did not specify the source of its funding.
Republican Attorney General nominee Todd P'pool may be tempted to petition for the ad running against him to be pulled using the same argument Democrats are using against Williams. I hope he doesn't do it.
Kentucky's campaign finance laws are an unconstitutional mess. No one would expect Todd to take that up now and try to explain it to voters. He would do well, though, to take the high road on freedom on speech by publicly repudiating not the cloak of anonymity covering Bluegrass Committee for Justice and Fairness but the disdain for freedom shown by Kentucky Democratic Party.
On Tuesday, a group supporting Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway started airing a tv ad. The "Bluegrass Committee for Justice and Fairness" also did not specify the source of its funding.
Republican Attorney General nominee Todd P'pool may be tempted to petition for the ad running against him to be pulled using the same argument Democrats are using against Williams. I hope he doesn't do it.
Kentucky's campaign finance laws are an unconstitutional mess. No one would expect Todd to take that up now and try to explain it to voters. He would do well, though, to take the high road on freedom on speech by publicly repudiating not the cloak of anonymity covering Bluegrass Committee for Justice and Fairness but the disdain for freedom shown by Kentucky Democratic Party.
Another swing and miss for Mitch McConnell
Roll Call takes a look at Kentucky's GOP today with an article about whether or not Sen. David Williams' coming loss in November will hurt Sen. Mitch McConnell.
I think Mitch will be able to separate himself from this one pretty well, but the establishment versus Tea Party battle for the soul of the Republican party continues with McConnell still on the wrong side.
You can read the article here. This is my favorite line:
The Republican party remains our state and nation's best vehicle for getting back on track, but that effort isn't helped when powerful figures like Mitch McConnell keep supporting moderate candidates who won't stand up against the status quo.
I think Mitch will be able to separate himself from this one pretty well, but the establishment versus Tea Party battle for the soul of the Republican party continues with McConnell still on the wrong side.
You can read the article here. This is my favorite line:
"It has been particularly difficult for Williams to fully separate himself from Beshear because, as Senate President, every piece of legislation the governor signed went through the legislative body he controls."
The Republican party remains our state and nation's best vehicle for getting back on track, but that effort isn't helped when powerful figures like Mitch McConnell keep supporting moderate candidates who won't stand up against the status quo.
Friday, September 30, 2011
"Open Government" closed at Univ. of Kentucky
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway will appear at an "open government" forum on October 4 at the University of Kentucky. The public is invited but questions about Conway's support for ObamaCare, Conway's drug scandal or his silence on the state's debt problems will not be allowed.
This will be a good event for conservative Kentuckians to attend to attempt to get some answers from Conway on these important issues. It will start at 6pm ET at UK's William T. Young Library auditorium.
This will be a good event for conservative Kentuckians to attend to attempt to get some answers from Conway on these important issues. It will start at 6pm ET at UK's William T. Young Library auditorium.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Excessive public debt just like a tax increase
Governor Steve Beshear just told WVLK's Jack Pattie that he didn't raise taxes on Kentuckians when revenues went down. The big thing he hopes you don't know about is the billion dollars a year in revenue-supported debt he and the legislature piled up these last three years.
But without an awareness of this key fact, we will have a very difficult time turning back from our overspending habit.
But without an awareness of this key fact, we will have a very difficult time turning back from our overspending habit.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Yarmuth wants welfare for Congressmen
Louisville Congressman John Yarmuth told CN2 that public financing of federal political campaigns would cut down on partisanship in Washington D.C. And he's right.
It would certainly cut down on the number of people in political office who believe in smaller government. Incidentally, Louisville state Rep. Jim Wayne has filed a bill for the 2012 General Assembly that would give public financing to judicial candidates.
Rep. Wayne's bill would slap a felony charge on anyone violating not only any provision of his silly bill, but also for violating any yet-to-be-determined administrative regulations dreamed up by the bureaucrats at the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
It would certainly cut down on the number of people in political office who believe in smaller government. Incidentally, Louisville state Rep. Jim Wayne has filed a bill for the 2012 General Assembly that would give public financing to judicial candidates.
Rep. Wayne's bill would slap a felony charge on anyone violating not only any provision of his silly bill, but also for violating any yet-to-be-determined administrative regulations dreamed up by the bureaucrats at the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Don't let ObamaCare waiver day pass unnoticed
This Thursday, September 22, is the federally imposed deadline to apply for any kind of exemption from ObamaCare.
You very likely won't be getting one. Nevertheless, we should recognize the day as it approaches and when it hits because the enormity of the negative impact ObamaCare will have on our nation can't be overemphasized.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the federal takeover of our healthcare system next fall. If that effort fails to rescue us from the expansion of socialized medicine, then we can expect to see state Medicaid programs going under pretty quickly in 2014, followed by individual and employer-provided plans.
The idea that we can regulate health insurance at the federal or state level in such a way that does anything but raise prices and lower quality of service, needs to pass quickly from the public debate. It's a form of insanity we can no longer afford. Enforcing freely written insurance contracts in courts of law should be the extent to which government is involved in health care.
You very likely won't be getting one. Nevertheless, we should recognize the day as it approaches and when it hits because the enormity of the negative impact ObamaCare will have on our nation can't be overemphasized.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the federal takeover of our healthcare system next fall. If that effort fails to rescue us from the expansion of socialized medicine, then we can expect to see state Medicaid programs going under pretty quickly in 2014, followed by individual and employer-provided plans.
The idea that we can regulate health insurance at the federal or state level in such a way that does anything but raise prices and lower quality of service, needs to pass quickly from the public debate. It's a form of insanity we can no longer afford. Enforcing freely written insurance contracts in courts of law should be the extent to which government is involved in health care.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Obama channels Carter's solar flair
Barack Obama was supposed to usher in a new era of widespread prosperity and trust for America. Just like Jimmy Carter thirty years before him.
Noticing some of recent commentary on Carter's infamous "malaise" speech, particularly some stating that it wasn't all that bad, I went back and read the text. And I have to admit, it isn't all that bad, compared to Obama. What jumped out at me, though, was the same idea that if we just raise taxes and spend it on pie-in-the-sky everything will be fine.
Carter said on July 15, 1979:
Incidentally, Carter got his windfall profits tax. Take a look at how that worked out for us by clicking here.
Keep this in mind as Obama continues to push for tax increases and as his solar scandal heats up.
Noticing some of recent commentary on Carter's infamous "malaise" speech, particularly some stating that it wasn't all that bad, I went back and read the text. And I have to admit, it isn't all that bad, compared to Obama. What jumped out at me, though, was the same idea that if we just raise taxes and spend it on pie-in-the-sky everything will be fine.
Carter said on July 15, 1979:
"I will soon submit legislation to Congress calling for the creation of this nation's first solar bank, which will help us achieve the crucial goal of 20 percent of our energy coming from solar power by the year 2000."
"These efforts will cost money, a lot of money, and that is why Congress must enact the windfall profits tax without delay. It will be money well spent. Unlike the billions of dollars that we ship to foreign countries to pay for foreign oil, these funds will be paid by Americans to Americans. These funds will go to fight, not to increase, inflation and unemployment."
Incidentally, Carter got his windfall profits tax. Take a look at how that worked out for us by clicking here.
Keep this in mind as Obama continues to push for tax increases and as his solar scandal heats up.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Is Snooki coming to Kentucky?
There's a hilarious story out of New Jersey today about bipartisan disgust for "reality tv" stars The Situation and Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and their television show "Jersey Shore" getting $420,000 in film tax credits from the state of New Jersey.
Meanwhile, Kentucky politicians are scrambling to throw taxpayer dollars at just such a project.
From the August Kentucky Film Office newsletter:
Now would be a great time to start talking about shutting down this ridiculous form of "economic development."
"The governor needs to step up for decency and veto this. If the show wants to go somewhere else, let 'em," said state Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), who said it includes negative stereotypes of young Italian-Americans.
"Let us just hope against hope that New Jersey taxpayers don’t end up paying for 'Snooki's' bail the next time she is arrested. What a terrible, terrible and misguided waste." said State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen).
Meanwhile, Kentucky politicians are scrambling to throw taxpayer dollars at just such a project.
From the August Kentucky Film Office newsletter:
"In addition, requests for location, crew and operational needs from the industry have jumped 71 percent in the past year. This increase is due, in large part, to the explosion in outdoor reality and “survivor” type programming in television, which has allowed us to positively showcase our terrain, natural resources and cave areas."
Now would be a great time to start talking about shutting down this ridiculous form of "economic development."
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