Look for a good old-fashioned bipartisan snow job this winter from our General Assembly on teacher pay in Kentucky. Taxpayers need to call a halt to this before it is too late.
We have heard the teachers' union complain about teacher pay for so long that it has become part of the wallpaper, accepted as true and never scrutinized. But distressingly often when education bureaucrats' statements do face scrutiny, they come up short. A look at some of these statements might give us pause on this hot-button issue.
Just this past August, we heard weeping and wailing about how Kentucky had fallen to 50th in state spending for education under Governor Fletcher. Turned out that Governing Magazine, the first source of this dire statistic, had used 2002 Census Bureau statistics. Stuck on blasting the Governor even for something that happened two years before he took office, some groups such as the Kentucky Economic Justice Alliance, the Kentucky Democratic Party, and most of the state's mainstream media outlets persist in promoting this falsehood today.
This fall I learned gains in ACT scores touted by the Kentucky Department of Education evaporate when private school and home school students are removed from the statistics. Last time I checked, these students didn't fall under the purview of the state's public education system. From a cynical, no-holds-barred point of view, taking credit for something they didn't do might be considered a shrewd piece of work. But coming from government officials who make policy affecting the lives of our children, this is extremely disappointing.
The sorry track record of those who have made careers out of demanding more and more money, coupled with Kentucky's failure to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind student testing component nearly provides the proper context in which to examine the idea of greatly increasing teacher pay.
For help with that, we turn to North Carolina. Researchers at the John Locke Foundation in Raleigh sought to examine similar claims of insufficient teacher pay in their state by making an apples-to-apples comparison of all the states. What they found was interesting: North Carolina's national salary ranking of 23rd was corrected to 11th when benefits were added in and relative cost-of-living was figured in. Cost of living is significant in the real world. New Jersey's $53,663 average salary goes roughly 70% as far in New Jersey as it does here in Kentucky. That helps put New Jersey's teachers at the bottom in pay nationally and Kentucky ranks number five.
That's right. Kentucky's teachers are the fifth best paid teachers in the nation. That should have been the education story of the year last year, but chances are excellent that you are seeing it for the first time here.
The current effort in Frankfort to bring Kentucky teacher pay up is said to keep them from escaping to higher salaries in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Georgia. Interestingly, of those states Indiana actually pays less than Kentucky in terms of real dollars. Louisville-area Kentuckians who run across the bridge to teach in the Hoosier state might actually want to take another look at the fringe benefits offered to Kentucky teachers. They make the total compensation here in the Bluegrass higher than that of Indiana. Ohio, Illinois, and Georgia join Michigan as the only states in the nation that have higher average teacher compensation than Kentucky. They all possess better education statistics than we do, but so do nearly all of the states who pay their teachers less than we do. I fail to see how adding enough to move us from #5 to #3 in teacher pay nationally is going to do much to benefit our children, who seem to be faring much worse than their teachers. Maybe they need a students' union.
Before we risk busting the budget with even higher teacher pay, skeptical taxpayers would do well to demand proof that it will actually help student performance commensurate with the high cost being suggested now. Given that Kentucky teacher pay already compares so favorably with other states, perhaps we need to look elsewhere first to improve student benefits.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Debbie Peden For Senate 37
Today Louisville Republicans nominated Debbie Peden to run in the special election February 14 to fill the 37th Senate district seat.
Peden is the wife of Louisville Metro Councilman James Peden and mother of two small girls ages 6 and 3.
She is a first time candidate, but a veteran campaigner for multiple local campaigns. A former teacher, Peden views education as her top priority, followed by affordable healthcare, and bringing more retail shops and jobs into her district.
Asked why she felt qualified to serve in the Senate, she replied that she brings "the voice of an educator, the voice of a woman, and the voice of every resident of the 37th district." She said she plans to run a positive campaign, adding that after the year-long court battle over her distict's representation "we need a Senator."
Peden is the wife of Louisville Metro Councilman James Peden and mother of two small girls ages 6 and 3.
She is a first time candidate, but a veteran campaigner for multiple local campaigns. A former teacher, Peden views education as her top priority, followed by affordable healthcare, and bringing more retail shops and jobs into her district.
Asked why she felt qualified to serve in the Senate, she replied that she brings "the voice of an educator, the voice of a woman, and the voice of every resident of the 37th district." She said she plans to run a positive campaign, adding that after the year-long court battle over her distict's representation "we need a Senator."
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Power Struggle In River City
Louisville Republicans gather Sunday at 2pm to vote on their candidate for the 37th Senate district special election coming up on Feb 14.
Doug Hawkins and Debbie Peden appear to be the locked in a tough battle for votes.
It is unclear whether a Peden win would actually be some kind of protest against the GOP leadership that has shown strong suport for Hawkins.
Stay tuned...
Doug Hawkins and Debbie Peden appear to be the locked in a tough battle for votes.
It is unclear whether a Peden win would actually be some kind of protest against the GOP leadership that has shown strong suport for Hawkins.
Stay tuned...
NBC Doesn't Want Christian Viewers
Nearly all NBC affiliates went ahead and aired the "Book of Daniel" television program Friday night. I have heard WLEX got slammed with complaint phone calls during the episode. Probably not a bad idea to keep that up every Friday at 9 pm.
In fact, I've been thinking about how difficult it would be to just stop watching the network altogether. Law & Order used to be interesting, but of late has fallen back on liberal preaching. What else is there? I can't think of anything good on NBC at all.
What do you think?
In fact, I've been thinking about how difficult it would be to just stop watching the network altogether. Law & Order used to be interesting, but of late has fallen back on liberal preaching. What else is there? I can't think of anything good on NBC at all.
What do you think?
Louisville Dems Pick Perry Clark
Breaking News From Louisville: After deliberating nearly three hours, Louisville Democrats picked Rep. Perry Clark to run for the vacant 37th district seat.
Fur Flies In Louisville
Louisville's 37th Senate district electors have been locked in a room for 2 1/2 hours arguing about who will be the Democrats' candidate in the February 14 special election.
What could be keeping them in there so long?
What could be keeping them in there so long?
Friday, January 06, 2006
Common Sense Eludes House Democrats, Still
It's a new year, but don't tell Frankfort's House Democrats.
They are partying like it is 2005 all over again.
Last year in their largest policy "achievements" in decades, Washington D.C. Democrats shouted down the discussion about saving Social Security, tried to shut down the war effort, and cried all year to prevent anyone from building oil refineries or drilling in the Alaska wilderness.
Their actions didn't feed any children, as the saying goes, but they sure showed everyone that they aren't completely irrelevant. Great.
Well, Frankfort's own Harry Reid is on a filibuster path of his own.
Asked his position on Right To Work legislation, Speaker Jody Richards said "Our agenda is 'A Commitment to Kentucky Families,' and during the 2006 General Assembly session, we'll be addressing these issues: Educating our children, leading the way to energy relief and independence, preserving our family farms, creating and keeping Kentucky jobs, standing up for Kentucky families, and promoting open and honest government. We invite the governor and Senate Republicans to join us in 'A Commitment to Kentucky Families.'"
In fewer words, Speaker Richards has a "no comment" on economic development. I guess their best idea for last year -- doing nothing, but doing it loudly -- is going to be their plan for 2006.
Great.
They are partying like it is 2005 all over again.
Last year in their largest policy "achievements" in decades, Washington D.C. Democrats shouted down the discussion about saving Social Security, tried to shut down the war effort, and cried all year to prevent anyone from building oil refineries or drilling in the Alaska wilderness.
Their actions didn't feed any children, as the saying goes, but they sure showed everyone that they aren't completely irrelevant. Great.
Well, Frankfort's own Harry Reid is on a filibuster path of his own.
Asked his position on Right To Work legislation, Speaker Jody Richards said "Our agenda is 'A Commitment to Kentucky Families,' and during the 2006 General Assembly session, we'll be addressing these issues: Educating our children, leading the way to energy relief and independence, preserving our family farms, creating and keeping Kentucky jobs, standing up for Kentucky families, and promoting open and honest government. We invite the governor and Senate Republicans to join us in 'A Commitment to Kentucky Families.'"
In fewer words, Speaker Richards has a "no comment" on economic development. I guess their best idea for last year -- doing nothing, but doing it loudly -- is going to be their plan for 2006.
Great.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
KY Democrats Choose Symbolism Over Substance
House Speaker Jody Richards came on Lexington's Kruser & Krew program on WVLK 590 AM to discuss Democrats plans to raise teacher salaries.
What he didn't discuss is that his plan would move Kentucky teachers from 5th highest paid in the nation currently to 3rd. I hope they didn't stay up too late last night crafting that big plan.
Throwing more money at education is the liberal mantra, but if that were the key, Washington D.C. would have the best school system on the planet instead of the worst.
The hapless Richards admitted that the move is nothing more than politics as usual: "It will be a symbol that we are truly trying to raise our educational standards."
What he didn't discuss is that his plan would move Kentucky teachers from 5th highest paid in the nation currently to 3rd. I hope they didn't stay up too late last night crafting that big plan.
Throwing more money at education is the liberal mantra, but if that were the key, Washington D.C. would have the best school system on the planet instead of the worst.
The hapless Richards admitted that the move is nothing more than politics as usual: "It will be a symbol that we are truly trying to raise our educational standards."
Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: "Intelligent Designers" Kill Time Fighting With "Evolutionists"
They haven't yet posted it on their site as I write this, but ACLU of Kentucky is moving to take advantage of the weak push by Republicans to make a wedge issue out of creationism.
ACLU of Kentucky is going to have a public meeting next Wednesday night at Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville. Speakers include two U of L biology professors and one anthropology professor.
I can't believe we are wasting time talking about this when the GOP could very easily take advantage of the wreck that public education in Kentucky has become during so many decades of Democrat control -- as both parties continue to have great ideas like throwing more money at the problem in hopes that it will go away.
ACLU of Kentucky is going to have a public meeting next Wednesday night at Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville. Speakers include two U of L biology professors and one anthropology professor.
I can't believe we are wasting time talking about this when the GOP could very easily take advantage of the wreck that public education in Kentucky has become during so many decades of Democrat control -- as both parties continue to have great ideas like throwing more money at the problem in hopes that it will go away.
Clinton Suspension To End
The five year suspension of Bill Clinton's law license for lying under oath is set to run out in two weeks. He agreed to the suspension on the last day of his term in office in order to avoid prosecution.
"Book Of Daniel" Update: A Crack In The Facade
As word gets out that two NBC affiliates are going to refuse to air the anti-Christian "Book of Daniel" television program, the network is having a bit of a meltdown.
Executive VP of current programming Vivi Ziglar actually said "People are reacting based on not having seen it. They're seeing the advertising, not seeing what the core of the show is."
So which is it, NBC? Is your own marketing of the show (which describes rampant drug abuse and illicit sex by a "Christian" family) meant to be misleading in some way or is the advertising specifically designed to make people not want to watch the show? It would seem that an organization that owes its very existence to advertising would be totally focused on showing "what the core of the show is," right?
Tim Gilbert, President of WLEX (Lexington's NBC affiliate), has said that his station will air the show, but he has said publicly that the show itself is a waste of time. He has seen the first episode, set to air tomorrow night and said "I was so bored I thought 'what am I doing here?'"
Executive VP of current programming Vivi Ziglar actually said "People are reacting based on not having seen it. They're seeing the advertising, not seeing what the core of the show is."
So which is it, NBC? Is your own marketing of the show (which describes rampant drug abuse and illicit sex by a "Christian" family) meant to be misleading in some way or is the advertising specifically designed to make people not want to watch the show? It would seem that an organization that owes its very existence to advertising would be totally focused on showing "what the core of the show is," right?
Tim Gilbert, President of WLEX (Lexington's NBC affiliate), has said that his station will air the show, but he has said publicly that the show itself is a waste of time. He has seen the first episode, set to air tomorrow night and said "I was so bored I thought 'what am I doing here?'"
KY Democrats Have Their Wedge Issue
House Speaker Jody Richards (D-Bowling Green) should be unveiling Democrats' grand scheme to lock in teachers' union volunteers for their fall campaigns. They are talking about raising teacher salaries in budget-busting fashion.
I'm not surprised to see the party that hears "education priorities" and thinks "money, money, money" ramping up another effort to play to the KEA gallery by talking about 15% pay increases rather than somethiing that would actually improve education in Kentucky.
This only works for them because most people don't realize that Kentucky teachers are not the 34th best paid teachers in the nation as we continue to hear.
They would be, if we ignore both employee benefits and economic reality. In the real world, Kentucky's average teacher pay plus benefits (and figuring in relative cost-of-living expenses), Kentucky's teachers rank 5th best compensated in the nation.
I'm not surprised to see the party that hears "education priorities" and thinks "money, money, money" ramping up another effort to play to the KEA gallery by talking about 15% pay increases rather than somethiing that would actually improve education in Kentucky.
This only works for them because most people don't realize that Kentucky teachers are not the 34th best paid teachers in the nation as we continue to hear.
They would be, if we ignore both employee benefits and economic reality. In the real world, Kentucky's average teacher pay plus benefits (and figuring in relative cost-of-living expenses), Kentucky's teachers rank 5th best compensated in the nation.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Conservative Versus Moderate In Lexington's 88th
Rep. Bill Farmer (R-Lexington) might have been a little concerned when he noticed that former Lexington city councilman Fred Brown filed to run against him in a rare House Republican primary.
He shouldn't be.
In an interview today, Mr. Brown was asked to explain why he thought he would make a better legislator than Rep. Farmer.
He said,"I am more moderate than the incumbent." He added that he thought Rep. Farmer is an "ultra-conservative."
Looks like a pretty good way to position yourself out of a Republican primary before it even starts. Mr. Brown is well regarded from his years on the council, but 2006 is shaping up as the year of the conservative in Kentucky. Not only are nearly all the House Democrats busily trying to out-conservative each other, but insiders say that Governor Fletcher himself is ready to blaze a more consistently conservative trail through this session.
With any luck, that will mean more for economic policies and less for the goofy intelligent design in schools stuff. I call that lipstick on a pig. Let's not worry so much about the odd biology teacher who wants to make monkeys of all of us. We need school choice and to get serious about school accountability first. And be watching for a school voucher bill.
He shouldn't be.
In an interview today, Mr. Brown was asked to explain why he thought he would make a better legislator than Rep. Farmer.
He said,"I am more moderate than the incumbent." He added that he thought Rep. Farmer is an "ultra-conservative."
Looks like a pretty good way to position yourself out of a Republican primary before it even starts. Mr. Brown is well regarded from his years on the council, but 2006 is shaping up as the year of the conservative in Kentucky. Not only are nearly all the House Democrats busily trying to out-conservative each other, but insiders say that Governor Fletcher himself is ready to blaze a more consistently conservative trail through this session.
With any luck, that will mean more for economic policies and less for the goofy intelligent design in schools stuff. I call that lipstick on a pig. Let's not worry so much about the odd biology teacher who wants to make monkeys of all of us. We need school choice and to get serious about school accountability first. And be watching for a school voucher bill.
New Media Swings A Big Stick
Watching the staffers of www.kentuckyvotes.org hold court in the Capitol cafeteria this morning was striking. I saw legislators come by and explain their actions and ask questions about the functions of what is essentially the new sheriff in town.
Expect the House to change some of their voting procedures this year, especially the bum's rush of bills that legislators have to vote on without even reading in the waning days of each session.
When that happens, Kentucky Votes will deserve the credit. Complete legislator voting records will be available online for the 2006 session. Who do you think made that happen? The Herald Leader or the Courier Journal? Nope. It's Kentucky Votes again.
Voter disconnection from the legislative process has long since turned most people off to how our laws are made. Those who thrive in the shadows are hoping you don't embrace the new technology that Kentucky Votes has harnessed.
Expect the House to change some of their voting procedures this year, especially the bum's rush of bills that legislators have to vote on without even reading in the waning days of each session.
When that happens, Kentucky Votes will deserve the credit. Complete legislator voting records will be available online for the 2006 session. Who do you think made that happen? The Herald Leader or the Courier Journal? Nope. It's Kentucky Votes again.
Voter disconnection from the legislative process has long since turned most people off to how our laws are made. Those who thrive in the shadows are hoping you don't embrace the new technology that Kentucky Votes has harnessed.
The Death of 24 Hour News
The West Virginia mine disaster story illustrates perfectly why we don't need 24 hour news.
The feeding frenzy that began in the middle of the night when a rumor that twelve of thirteen trapped miners had been found alive should never have made its way all around the world unchecked.
The mainstream media continues to push the ridiculous idea that they are the "official" word because they have layers of editors. The editors didn't help last night. The rush to get the word out first did.
Incidentally, I just got in from the Capitol in Frankfort. Got my "media" credentials.
So there. The times, they are a changin'.
The feeding frenzy that began in the middle of the night when a rumor that twelve of thirteen trapped miners had been found alive should never have made its way all around the world unchecked.
The mainstream media continues to push the ridiculous idea that they are the "official" word because they have layers of editors. The editors didn't help last night. The rush to get the word out first did.
Incidentally, I just got in from the Capitol in Frankfort. Got my "media" credentials.
So there. The times, they are a changin'.
Two Stupid Kentucky Bills
Two House bills filed yesterday jump off the page as particularly wasteful government activity: Rep. Rick "Black Out" Nelson (D-Middlesboro) wants to suspend market forces and prevent utility rate increases in 2006. Rep. Don "The Private Sector Already Does That" Pasley (D-Winchester) wants to set up a state government agency to compete with the private non-profits who have successfully for years helped low-income senior citizens get their prescription drugs for free.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Up Next: Louisville's 37th Senate Special Election
We are waiting for Democrat Virginia Woodward to drop any appeal of last month's Supreme Court ruling so Senate President David Williams can call a special election for Louisville's vacant Senate seat. President Williams said today that he is waiting for such an assurance from Woodward before he sets the special election.
Woodward said that she was unaware of President Williams' request and had not heard anything from him. Republicans would be well-advised to get on the phone with Woodward immediately. Then call the election.
Virginia Woodward is seen even by many Democrats as an illegitimate candidate because she only became the Democrat nominee in 2004 because of a scheme cooked up with Sen. Larry Saunders. He withdrew his filing, allowing Woodward to file with less than thirty minutes before the deadline as the only Democrat in the race.
Louisville Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins looks like the best shot for the Republicans.
Woodward said that she was unaware of President Williams' request and had not heard anything from him. Republicans would be well-advised to get on the phone with Woodward immediately. Then call the election.
Virginia Woodward is seen even by many Democrats as an illegitimate candidate because she only became the Democrat nominee in 2004 because of a scheme cooked up with Sen. Larry Saunders. He withdrew his filing, allowing Woodward to file with less than thirty minutes before the deadline as the only Democrat in the race.
Louisville Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins looks like the best shot for the Republicans.
Final Answer: "Book Of Daniel" To Air On WLEX, WAVE
I sat down and looked at a few network television shows Friday night to see if there was an alternative to the upcoming "Book of Daniel" show that starts this week.
There really wasn't anything on worth recommending.
WLEX President Tim Gilbert said today that despite local requests to not broadcast the program, the "Book of Daniel" show will go on.
He said he watched the program to see if it met community standards, a quasi-legal standard that usually refers to obscenity. He found no compelling reason not to air the show.
"Do I think someone went out of his way to demean the Christian faith? No," Gilbert said.
Gilbert said that, having watched the show, he could understand objections to the program but that banality wasn't a strong enough reason for an affiliate to fight a programming decision by the network.
"The show is completely ridiculous," Gilbert said, adding that the characters were unusually dysfunctional. "Halfway through the first hour I was so bored I thought 'what am I doing here?'"
There really wasn't anything on worth recommending.
WLEX President Tim Gilbert said today that despite local requests to not broadcast the program, the "Book of Daniel" show will go on.
He said he watched the program to see if it met community standards, a quasi-legal standard that usually refers to obscenity. He found no compelling reason not to air the show.
"Do I think someone went out of his way to demean the Christian faith? No," Gilbert said.
Gilbert said that, having watched the show, he could understand objections to the program but that banality wasn't a strong enough reason for an affiliate to fight a programming decision by the network.
"The show is completely ridiculous," Gilbert said, adding that the characters were unusually dysfunctional. "Halfway through the first hour I was so bored I thought 'what am I doing here?'"
Monday, January 02, 2006
Democrat Insider: John Kerry Coming To Bluegrass
Sen. John Kerry is making plans for an early spring fundraiser in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, according to a Democrat insider who spoke on condition of anonimity.
Can't wait to hear from elected Kentucky Democrats who Sen. Kerry is coming to represent.
More Drunk Tennesseans In Orange
A new law in Tennessee starting yesterday requires first-time convicted drunk drivers to don orange vests and pick up litter on the state's highways.
It's not all bad for the drunks, though. Following their community service, they are provided two free football tickets and they get to keep the snazzy vest.
Good Ol' Rocky Top!
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