I completely reject the idea that Kentucky's public universities somehow can't compete unless Kentucky taxpayers provide expensive health insurance benefits to the boyfriends and girlfriends of their employees.
UK spokesman Jay Blanton, though, wants the bennies and doesn't care what you think about it.
Blanton told the Lexington Herald-Leader "We certainly respect the opinions of legislators very much, but I don't think there are political considerations with respect to this decision," Blanton said.
In other words, he just wants your money and for you to keep your stupid opinions to yourself.
Last week, the University of Louisville decided to extend domestic partner benefits to all their employees. What's next, universal pet health insurance?
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Napier Versus Fletcher Update
Governor Fletcher addressed about 200 Madison county Republicans tonight, reminding audience members of his administration's achievements. At one point in his discussion of improvements to legislative districts, Fletcher took a good-natured swipe at Rep. Lonnie Napier. He said "Lonnie didn't come home empty handed this time."
When asked if he was going to oppose Fletcher next year, Napier repeated his statement that "People are talking and I am listening."
That was as close as we got to fireworks. Ernie and Lonnie were both definitely in campaign mode, though. There can be little doubt now that we are headed for a GOP primary for Governor Fletcher.
My guess at this point is Lonnie Napier is in the race for governor, something I didn't think was the case before tonight. I think the unintended consequence of his candidacy, though, is that others will be emboldened to jump in as well.
A crowded primary benefits the governor greatly, by giving him a good reason to get out and make his case but diluting the effect of primary opposition on his road to the nomination.
When asked if he was going to oppose Fletcher next year, Napier repeated his statement that "People are talking and I am listening."
That was as close as we got to fireworks. Ernie and Lonnie were both definitely in campaign mode, though. There can be little doubt now that we are headed for a GOP primary for Governor Fletcher.
My guess at this point is Lonnie Napier is in the race for governor, something I didn't think was the case before tonight. I think the unintended consequence of his candidacy, though, is that others will be emboldened to jump in as well.
A crowded primary benefits the governor greatly, by giving him a good reason to get out and make his case but diluting the effect of primary opposition on his road to the nomination.
KY GOP Big Spenders Beware
The Club For Growth Kentucky is on the way. Their mission is to defeat wasteful politicians. While we wait their official start-up, here is a sign of things to come.
Dems Count On Wage Tax Increase
Even if you really believe legislatively raising the minimum wage will ease the plight of millions of struggling American families, you have to admit that it is a targeted tax increase on business owners.
Okay, call it a fee increase. Or maybe a mandated benefit increase. (I guess we could start calling it an unfunded mandate. Where is the money going to come from, right?) The point here is Democrats invoke the old Communist rationale that they are using government coercion to transfer money from those who have to those who need.
Either way you slice it, the fact that it is the last idea Washington Democrats have with four months till the election bodes well for Republicans. The GOP doesn't deserve their good fortune, but a troubled America would clearly fare much worse with more of these Democrats in office.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said of the tax increase "it appeals to certain groups of people who don’t usually turn out to vote.” Who is he talking about, sixteen year old kids and illegal aliens?
Okay, call it a fee increase. Or maybe a mandated benefit increase. (I guess we could start calling it an unfunded mandate. Where is the money going to come from, right?) The point here is Democrats invoke the old Communist rationale that they are using government coercion to transfer money from those who have to those who need.
Either way you slice it, the fact that it is the last idea Washington Democrats have with four months till the election bodes well for Republicans. The GOP doesn't deserve their good fortune, but a troubled America would clearly fare much worse with more of these Democrats in office.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said of the tax increase "it appeals to certain groups of people who don’t usually turn out to vote.” Who is he talking about, sixteen year old kids and illegal aliens?
New Frankfort Budget Trouble
Kentucky's last two budgets have been good budgets except for the tax increases and spending increases.
TODAY'S UPDATE: And except for all the unconstitutional parts.
TODAY'S UPDATE: And except for all the unconstitutional parts.
Memo To Fletcher: Tax Cuts Work
Yes, I've said it here before. But I don't run Kentucky's only manufacturing trade association.
Governor Fletcher said yesterday on WVLK in Lexington we may be looking at additional tax relief in the 2007 General Assembly. Since we all pay business income taxes, scrapping the AMC would be a fine place to start.
Governor Fletcher said yesterday on WVLK in Lexington we may be looking at additional tax relief in the 2007 General Assembly. Since we all pay business income taxes, scrapping the AMC would be a fine place to start.
Democrats? What Democrats?
I have for you this morning just another isolated incident of liberal media bias.
Seems this AP story about allegations of vote buying in Bath County, KY couldn't manage to say which political party the involved people belong to.
Can there be any doubt if it was Republicans they would have mentioned that fact and described at least two other scandals involving Republicans to provide a little "perspective" to the story?
Seems this AP story about allegations of vote buying in Bath County, KY couldn't manage to say which political party the involved people belong to.
Can there be any doubt if it was Republicans they would have mentioned that fact and described at least two other scandals involving Republicans to provide a little "perspective" to the story?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
U of L Goes For "Domestic Partners"
The University of Louisville Board of Trustees voted Thursday afternoon 14-1 to extend "domestic partner" benefits to the school's employees.
This makes the school the first in the state to jump on this train.
In this time of budget constraints for Kentucky's families, spending tax dollars so some people can "play house" just doesn't seem fair or smart.
This makes the school the first in the state to jump on this train.
In this time of budget constraints for Kentucky's families, spending tax dollars so some people can "play house" just doesn't seem fair or smart.
Dems Can't Close The Deal
Republicans in Congress have, for the most part, earned their lumps this year. But the fact remains Democrat opponents have utterly failed to make the case that they would be any kind of improvement. In fact, their tax-raising, socialized medicine, homosexual marriage, war surrendering positions have lead directly to this.
A look around the Bluegrass shows the same thing happening here.
A look around the Bluegrass shows the same thing happening here.
Fletcher, Napier To Attend Richmond Event
A Madison county GOP event Friday night will feature both Governor Ernie Fletcher and the subject of a draft effort to oppose him in a primary next year.
Rep. Lonnie Napier (R-Lancaster) represents part of Madison county and confirmed his appearance at the event weeks ago. Governor Fletcher's office confirmed his appearance today.
The Richmond Register picked up the story of the draft effort today.
Rep. Lonnie Napier (R-Lancaster) represents part of Madison county and confirmed his appearance at the event weeks ago. Governor Fletcher's office confirmed his appearance today.
The Richmond Register picked up the story of the draft effort today.
Stop Liberal Threats Against Churches
This one will get them worked up. Rep. Stan Lee would make an excellent Attorney General for Kentucky.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
A Conservative's Disappointment
If there was any doubt that Jim Newberry will win the Lexington mayoral race, it was put to rest today when Bill Farmer announced his support for Teresa Isaac.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Ernie Kicks Butts
Has anyone else noticed Governor Fletcher's public relations results have been much better since Brett Hall went back to New Jersey?
You many not like the announcement today that Fletcher ordered a smoking ban starting August 1 in Executive branch buildings. But the decision and the announcement were handled in a manner Kentuckians like to see from their Governor.
You many not like the announcement today that Fletcher ordered a smoking ban starting August 1 in Executive branch buildings. But the decision and the announcement were handled in a manner Kentuckians like to see from their Governor.
Enabling Voter Fraud In Georgia
Kentuckians are used to showing identification when voting, even if they don't know it. Poll workers are required to ask for ID unless one of them can claim to personally know the voter in question.
Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats are battling a state law that would require voters to show proof of their identity in order to vote. It should come as no surprise they consider the law "racist."
Hillary Clinton is going to need every dead man's vote in Kentucky in '08. This may be a way for Kentucky Dems to pull it off.
Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats are battling a state law that would require voters to show proof of their identity in order to vote. It should come as no surprise they consider the law "racist."
Hillary Clinton is going to need every dead man's vote in Kentucky in '08. This may be a way for Kentucky Dems to pull it off.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Hey, My Blog Was Singled Out Too!!
By now you may know Mark Nickolas of liberal Bluegrass Report has sued the state for prohibiting state workers from reading his site on state computers. His backers claim he was singled out for persecution.
I was singled out, uh, also. In fact, several others were singled out as well. So I ask you, how many people get to be "singled out" before it doesn't count as singling out anymore? And how many of us have to have our rights infringed upon before we realize not having our pearls of wisdom read immediately by people who are working is not much of a civil rights issue except to liberal advocacy groups who think free speech includes hard-core porn?
I was singled out, uh, also. In fact, several others were singled out as well. So I ask you, how many people get to be "singled out" before it doesn't count as singling out anymore? And how many of us have to have our rights infringed upon before we realize not having our pearls of wisdom read immediately by people who are working is not much of a civil rights issue except to liberal advocacy groups who think free speech includes hard-core porn?
Time For A Kentucky Tax Cut
Kentucky's "tax relief" special session of the legislature last month was really just a reduction of a tax increase. With today's news of a $136.5 million surplus in state coffers, now is the time to start talking about real tax cuts.
If we did that, we would be following the example of states like Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Arizona who have finally figured out that lowering taxes increases revenues by unleashing business activity.
UPDATE: Liberal blogger Mark Nickolas arrives on the scene to declare the $2 billion of bonded borrowing in the just-passed budget somehow responsible for the current budget surplus. Economic Illiteracy is NOT a family value, Mark.
If we did that, we would be following the example of states like Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Arizona who have finally figured out that lowering taxes increases revenues by unleashing business activity.
UPDATE: Liberal blogger Mark Nickolas arrives on the scene to declare the $2 billion of bonded borrowing in the just-passed budget somehow responsible for the current budget surplus. Economic Illiteracy is NOT a family value, Mark.
Who Is KY's Lieberman 2007?
I have to laugh at the liberal outrage over Governor Fletcher's suggestion that we rethink electing bozos like Greg Stumbo and Jonathan Miller to constitutional offices.
If nothing else, he got Miller lathered up. That's always funny.
"It's so blatantly partisan and such blatant retribution," Miller said, blatantly.
Like every other news story coming out of Frankfort these days, this one turns up the anxiety a notch or two over which Democrat will get to take on Fletcher -- or a possible GOP upgrade --next year.
This of course brings up the question: in a crowded field, which Democrat gets to play the liberal bloggers' Joe Lieberman, a sometime reasonable politician who is getting killed online for not being liberal enough on the War on Terror?
Steve Henry put his name in the running for that distinction by taking a swipe at liberal fave Rep. Ben Chandler. Henry told the Courier-Journal Chandler is "a lot of flavor, no substance."
Tweaking the liberal "netroots" will be Kentucky Democrats' best shot at separating themselves from the national party that continues to cause them all manner of indigestion.
The increasing influence of bloggers on Kentucky's left-wing sets up a trap for any reasonable Democrat who might want to run for Governor.
If nothing else, he got Miller lathered up. That's always funny.
"It's so blatantly partisan and such blatant retribution," Miller said, blatantly.
Like every other news story coming out of Frankfort these days, this one turns up the anxiety a notch or two over which Democrat will get to take on Fletcher -- or a possible GOP upgrade --next year.
This of course brings up the question: in a crowded field, which Democrat gets to play the liberal bloggers' Joe Lieberman, a sometime reasonable politician who is getting killed online for not being liberal enough on the War on Terror?
Steve Henry put his name in the running for that distinction by taking a swipe at liberal fave Rep. Ben Chandler. Henry told the Courier-Journal Chandler is "a lot of flavor, no substance."
Tweaking the liberal "netroots" will be Kentucky Democrats' best shot at separating themselves from the national party that continues to cause them all manner of indigestion.
The increasing influence of bloggers on Kentucky's left-wing sets up a trap for any reasonable Democrat who might want to run for Governor.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Don't Write Fletcher Obit Just Yet
After Louisville's GOP chairman got "Meteor Destroys Earth, Film At 11" news coverage for dressing down Governor Fletcher last week, we might expect others to jump on that bandwagon. They would do well to reconsider.
While as a fiscal conservative I have had my own frustrations with this Administration, it is clear that Ernie has a pretty clear path to re-election.
Despite the media coverage of Greg Stumbo's court mandated day off on the merit hiring case, the real story is the strength of the case for dismissing the whole sorry thing.
This will be devastating for Fletcher's GOP detractors and there is little they can do to repair or prevent that damage. They find themselves merely confirming the old adage that you can't beat somebody with nobody. Fletcher opponents don't have a candidate and one is unlikely to materialize. This set of circumstances may be more luck than anything else, but the undeniable fact is that Fletcher's detractors are about to find themselves on the wrong side of history.
Also, Democrats don't have a candidate for 2007.
While as a fiscal conservative I have had my own frustrations with this Administration, it is clear that Ernie has a pretty clear path to re-election.
Despite the media coverage of Greg Stumbo's court mandated day off on the merit hiring case, the real story is the strength of the case for dismissing the whole sorry thing.
This will be devastating for Fletcher's GOP detractors and there is little they can do to repair or prevent that damage. They find themselves merely confirming the old adage that you can't beat somebody with nobody. Fletcher opponents don't have a candidate and one is unlikely to materialize. This set of circumstances may be more luck than anything else, but the undeniable fact is that Fletcher's detractors are about to find themselves on the wrong side of history.
Also, Democrats don't have a candidate for 2007.
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