Thursday, March 16, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Howard Dean Crony Stirring in Jessamine County
DNC member and former chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party Terry McBrayer is trying to get people in Jessamine county worked up and stampeding the Governor's office to demand a hospital in Nicholasville.
McBrayer is a lobbyist for Associated Health Care Systems and his name keeps coming up as a possible Dem candidate for Governor. So he is now in Jessamine telling people to panic because there is no hospital in the county.
So far, it seems to be working.
More on this here.
McBrayer is a lobbyist for Associated Health Care Systems and his name keeps coming up as a possible Dem candidate for Governor. So he is now in Jessamine telling people to panic because there is no hospital in the county.
So far, it seems to be working.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Brereton Jones Media Makeover
Former Governor Brereton Jones will be going on the Sue Wylie Show Thursday at 10 AM to try to spin his HillaryCare health plan that decimated the Kentucky health insurance market in 1994. He ran on it, he pushed it, he was warned what would happen, and we still see the effects today of his horrible plan. Should be interesting to see him do this rehab attempt on his reputation.
Media Appearance
I will be on the Sue Wylie Show in Lexington this morning at 11:00. That's 590 AM on your radio dial.
First Election Win of 2006
Senator Tom Buford(R-Nicholasville) just picked up the first election victory of the year when his opponent dropped out of the race.
Democrat Joe Walker, the scandal-plagued sheriff of Jessamine county, read the handwriting on the wall and decided to spend more time with his family.
Democrat Joe Walker, the scandal-plagued sheriff of Jessamine county, read the handwriting on the wall and decided to spend more time with his family.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
More Frankfort Democrat "Economic Development"
Rep. Rob Wilkey (D-Scottsville) is at it again. Bluegrass Policy Blog has the story.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Strange Bedfellows: Ed Worley And ???
Sen. Ed Worley (D-Richmond) got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, again.
Worley failed to disclose several banking relationships on his 2006 Statement of Financial Disclosure that all state legislators and candidates are required to file honestly.
On a tip from a reader, I spent about ten minutes in the Madison county courthouse yesterday verifying the existence of a $1.3 million loan Worley has with Citizens Bank of Cumberland County that he didn't disclose. The mortgage is on property in Madison county. Another hidden financial arrangement was a $900,000 loan with Cumberland Valley National Bank And Trust Company. The Madison county property purchased with this loan is the same land that is part of a federal racketeering lawsuit filed against Worley. I found other loans. Combined, there were about $10 million in hidden financial arrangements.
The purpose of financial disclosure forms for legislators is to keep potential conflicts of interest out in the open. I have no idea how many others are out there that I did not find. What else is Worley trying to hide? I have heard that he has hidden interest in one or more racetracks in Kentucky. How might that affect his vote on expanded gambling?
There are a lot more questions here than answers, but I did file a Legislative Ethics complaint against Sen. Worley yesterday. Maybe that will help shine a little light on some of Worley's activities. Of course, he will complain that this is just some kind of political attack, but the facts are what they are. The time for spinning and damage control are past. We need answers.
He might claim that he forgot to mention the $10 million in loans. I don't know, Senator, will it be better to claim an eight figure "oops" with several different banks as you ask the voters to trust you with their money for another four years, or are you ready to come clean about your financial dealings?
This could get pretty interesting.
Worley failed to disclose several banking relationships on his 2006 Statement of Financial Disclosure that all state legislators and candidates are required to file honestly.
On a tip from a reader, I spent about ten minutes in the Madison county courthouse yesterday verifying the existence of a $1.3 million loan Worley has with Citizens Bank of Cumberland County that he didn't disclose. The mortgage is on property in Madison county. Another hidden financial arrangement was a $900,000 loan with Cumberland Valley National Bank And Trust Company. The Madison county property purchased with this loan is the same land that is part of a federal racketeering lawsuit filed against Worley. I found other loans. Combined, there were about $10 million in hidden financial arrangements.
The purpose of financial disclosure forms for legislators is to keep potential conflicts of interest out in the open. I have no idea how many others are out there that I did not find. What else is Worley trying to hide? I have heard that he has hidden interest in one or more racetracks in Kentucky. How might that affect his vote on expanded gambling?
There are a lot more questions here than answers, but I did file a Legislative Ethics complaint against Sen. Worley yesterday. Maybe that will help shine a little light on some of Worley's activities. Of course, he will complain that this is just some kind of political attack, but the facts are what they are. The time for spinning and damage control are past. We need answers.
He might claim that he forgot to mention the $10 million in loans. I don't know, Senator, will it be better to claim an eight figure "oops" with several different banks as you ask the voters to trust you with their money for another four years, or are you ready to come clean about your financial dealings?
This could get pretty interesting.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Raise KEES Standards Now
Kentucky high school graduates are practically guaranteed scholarship money through a state program called KEES. A 2.50 GPA and a 15 on the ACT exam qualify for an award.
That is sending entirely the wrong message. We are sending kids to college (armed with grants and student loans, no doubt) when those students are almost guaranteed to fail. Giving them state money to complete the charade is utter foolishness. This benefits no one, except the colleges. And it helps them about as much as welfare helps individuals.
KEES scholarships based on minimal standards are nothing more than welfare for state colleges. The program will do more good if these standards are raised significantly.
And we are running out of time chasing our tails on education in this state. School choice legislation would help a lot.
That is sending entirely the wrong message. We are sending kids to college (armed with grants and student loans, no doubt) when those students are almost guaranteed to fail. Giving them state money to complete the charade is utter foolishness. This benefits no one, except the colleges. And it helps them about as much as welfare helps individuals.
KEES scholarships based on minimal standards are nothing more than welfare for state colleges. The program will do more good if these standards are raised significantly.
And we are running out of time chasing our tails on education in this state. School choice legislation would help a lot.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Who Needs Liberals: We Have ICARE!
The ICARE Health Bill is supposed to come up for a vote in the Senate early this week.
This is just another government give-away program that will be demanded as a right of citizenship in a few short years. The idea is to subsize with tax dollars group health insurance plans for small business. This is HillaryCare in Kentucky II. What a mess. Kudos to Rep. David Floyd (R-Bardstown) for being the only House member with the courage to vote against this thing. With any luck, Sen. David Williams and Sen. Tom Buford will prevail as cooler heads in the Senate.
This is just another government give-away program that will be demanded as a right of citizenship in a few short years. The idea is to subsize with tax dollars group health insurance plans for small business. This is HillaryCare in Kentucky II. What a mess. Kudos to Rep. David Floyd (R-Bardstown) for being the only House member with the courage to vote against this thing. With any luck, Sen. David Williams and Sen. Tom Buford will prevail as cooler heads in the Senate.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Eastern Kentucky Vote Buying Indictments?
Rumors are swirling that more indictments in the Eastern Kentucky vote buying scandal are imminent.
Could it be just about time to come up with an official name for this shameful affair?
Could it be just about time to come up with an official name for this shameful affair?
Kentucky Sues Over Medicare Drug Plan
Good grief. The disastrous Medicare drug plan that President Bush had to campaign on because Al Gore campaigned on it, is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is bad liberal politics smacking us across the face yet again. Not only are we faced with a very expensive entitlement that has been poorly conceived and very poorly implemented, we now have the Republican Governor of Texas serving as point man for the five state team fighting the plan in court. Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, and New Jersey joined Texas in the effort.
From what I have been able to glean from the coverage of the case so far, the states may have an uphill climb demonstrating they have been wronged the way they say they have. They say a "clawback provision" is making states pay for the drug benefit, when actually the plan calls for states to shares some of their savings with the federal government. Big difference. And it should come as no surprise that Greg Stumbo is
This is bad liberal politics smacking us across the face yet again. Not only are we faced with a very expensive entitlement that has been poorly conceived and very poorly implemented, we now have the Republican Governor of Texas serving as point man for the five state team fighting the plan in court. Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, and New Jersey joined Texas in the effort.
From what I have been able to glean from the coverage of the case so far, the states may have an uphill climb demonstrating they have been wronged the way they say they have. They say a "clawback provision" is making states pay for the drug benefit, when actually the plan calls for states to shares some of their savings with the federal government. Big difference. And it should come as no surprise that Greg Stumbo is
Right to Work Announcement Coming Monday
Supporters of Employee Choice legislation will be gathering in Frankfort Monday at 10 AM.
But the real fireworks will be on Tuesday, when the House Labor and Industry committee will vote on Right to Work and Prevailing Wage. There will be expert testimony from the good guys and gnashing of teeth from the other side. Expect to see thousands of union folks trucked in from every direction for this. Make sure you clock out first, boys.
But the real fireworks will be on Tuesday, when the House Labor and Industry committee will vote on Right to Work and Prevailing Wage. There will be expert testimony from the good guys and gnashing of teeth from the other side. Expect to see thousands of union folks trucked in from every direction for this. Make sure you clock out first, boys.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The Best Governor In America?
Probably Mark Sanford. Expect him to be widely touted soon as a possible candidate for President in a weak '08 field.
Someone has to show America how to free itself from its addiction to government spending. Sanford is taking a lot of abuse at home for doing so on the state level. Keep an eye on him.
KY Department of Education Hates Sick Private School Kids
If your child gets hurt or sick and can't attend school, he or she can get private tutoring services at home, provided with taxpayer funds.
But this only applies to public school kids.
So let me get this straight: if you pay taxes to provide a public education for everyone's kids but your own and your child needs public school services in a pinch, you are out of luck.
Yes, that's right. Sends the wrong message unless the message is that they hate people who choose private schools, don't you think?
It's not like all private schoolers are millionaire Republicans.
But this only applies to public school kids.
So let me get this straight: if you pay taxes to provide a public education for everyone's kids but your own and your child needs public school services in a pinch, you are out of luck.
Yes, that's right. Sends the wrong message unless the message is that they hate people who choose private schools, don't you think?
It's not like all private schoolers are millionaire Republicans.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Taxes In Kentucky: We're Number 44!
If the Bluegrass Policy Blog isn't part of your daily reading, it should be. Today they discuss state tax issues that seem to be too hard for either party in Frankfort to get right.
Here is the link to today's post. Important stuff.
UPDATE: Spoke with the folks at the Tax Foundation and learned that when they apply their current methodology to their 2004 survey, Kentucky was #33 then (prior to tax modernization). Not good.
Here is the link to today's post. Important stuff.
UPDATE: Spoke with the folks at the Tax Foundation and learned that when they apply their current methodology to their 2004 survey, Kentucky was #33 then (prior to tax modernization). Not good.
Media Appearance
I'll be on WVLK-AM 590 this afternoon in Lexington on the Kruser and Krew program at 3:00 talking politics.
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