If you have read a little about California's proposal to provide universal coverage, you have probably been misinformed. The plan would not hit the state for much; it is mostly federal money that will finance this monster.
Can Kentucky be very far behind in trying to implement this very dangerous idea?
Monday, January 15, 2007
Sunday, January 14, 2007
A Glimpse Into Our Future: New Jersey For Sale
The next time someone tells you how casinos will solve Kentucky's budget woes, tell them about this.
And of course the MSM hasn't told you anything about the massive higher education budget cuts in Blue State New Jersey, home of a dozen casinos.
And of course the MSM hasn't told you anything about the massive higher education budget cuts in Blue State New Jersey, home of a dozen casinos.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Jody Richards' Proliferation Of Nonsense
I waited all week for someone else to say something dumber than House Speaker Jody Richards' whopper on Monday in defense of Certificate of Need laws.
It didn't happen.
Bear in mind that every single analysis of CON has determined that by artificially limiting supply of health care services, CON laws cause prices for medical services to go higher than they would with repeal of these laws.
From the Kentucky Tonight television program on Monday night, here is Speaker Richards' comment:
"Since so much of hospital costs are paid by Medicaid and Medicare, I think if you allowed a proliferation of this very expensive technology I think you are going to see in the long run rates go up and I think it is going to be counterproductive. I'm very much in favor of keeping the current Certificate of Need laws."
Proliferation of technology?! What on Earth is he talking about? In what alternate universe does limiting supply lower costs?
With everyone else trying to find ways to lower healthcare costs, it would seem logic might trump partisanship and we could repeal Kentucky's CON laws. Richards is expected to announce a run for Governor soon. Is this the kind of rhetoric we can expect from him between now and May?
It didn't happen.
Bear in mind that every single analysis of CON has determined that by artificially limiting supply of health care services, CON laws cause prices for medical services to go higher than they would with repeal of these laws.
From the Kentucky Tonight television program on Monday night, here is Speaker Richards' comment:
"Since so much of hospital costs are paid by Medicaid and Medicare, I think if you allowed a proliferation of this very expensive technology I think you are going to see in the long run rates go up and I think it is going to be counterproductive. I'm very much in favor of keeping the current Certificate of Need laws."
Proliferation of technology?! What on Earth is he talking about? In what alternate universe does limiting supply lower costs?
With everyone else trying to find ways to lower healthcare costs, it would seem logic might trump partisanship and we could repeal Kentucky's CON laws. Richards is expected to announce a run for Governor soon. Is this the kind of rhetoric we can expect from him between now and May?
UK: Unmarried Bennies To Cost You $633K/Year
The University of Kentucky's effort to become a Top Twenty Research University is obviously on the ropes if their best idea for moving forward is spending tax dollars for their employees to sign up "domestic partners" to their benefit plans.
What a pathetic waste.
What a pathetic waste.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Upcoming Harper Ad Hits Hard
Now this is a real issue worth talking about.
Some in Frankfort say repeal of the AMC tax would be a bad thing. The Bluegrass Institute says the tax is the bad thing.
Some in Frankfort say repeal of the AMC tax would be a bad thing. The Bluegrass Institute says the tax is the bad thing.
"Blogging Mayor" In Illinois A Role Model
Governing Magazine's blog has the story of a small town mayor whose outreach effort is worthy of emulation here.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Mitt Romney In Kentucky
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is coming to Louisville and unlike last time, there is no disaster in Massachusetts that will prevent him from coming.
The then-Governor was scheduled to appear in the Derby City last July to meet with Republicans and talk to legislators about his healthcare plan. Unexpected state business prevented him from appearing, though an aide was on hand to make an uninspiring pitch for universal coverage.
Romney's campaign has been dogged by his evolving positions on some key issues.
The then-Governor was scheduled to appear in the Derby City last July to meet with Republicans and talk to legislators about his healthcare plan. Unexpected state business prevented him from appearing, though an aide was on hand to make an uninspiring pitch for universal coverage.
Romney's campaign has been dogged by his evolving positions on some key issues.
Northup in 2007
So, would Anne Northup be an upgrade in the Governor's Mansion, a downgrade, or just business as usual?
Have to imagine with the former Congresswoman in the race that the field is set. Will the GOP primary be about real issues like fiscal policy and meaninful education reform or, well, not?
For now at least, I am more interested in an upgrade at Attorney General.
Have to imagine with the former Congresswoman in the race that the field is set. Will the GOP primary be about real issues like fiscal policy and meaninful education reform or, well, not?
For now at least, I am more interested in an upgrade at Attorney General.
Democrats Declare War -- On George Bush
Still without a "plan" of their own, Congressional Dems say it is time to expect more from Iraqis. That's just what President Bush said.
There is no reason to believe the anti-war fist-shaking contains any substance now.
I don't believe they will really do anything on this.
There is no reason to believe the anti-war fist-shaking contains any substance now.
I don't believe they will really do anything on this.
Indiana Gambling Expansion On Steroids
Gambling-for-tax-revenue enthusiasts want to put slot machines in 3500 new locations in the Hoosier State.
What's interesting is that even the Louisville Courier Journal sees this gambling revenue deal doesn't work as well as promised.
The last sentence in the editorial -- "There would be more losers than winners." -- is obviously true, but also misses the point. The point is there is far more losing than winning. Taxpayers wind up getting hosed in these set-ups. And the proliferation of illegal gambling is a pretty poor excuse for capitulation to gambling interests. Illegal gambling hits government once when problem gamblers and their families wind up on the dole. Legal gambling hits government twice -- once when families get wiped out and once more when new gambling revenue gets spent on politician-enhancing projects instead of on cleaning up its own mess.
What's interesting is that even the Louisville Courier Journal sees this gambling revenue deal doesn't work as well as promised.
The last sentence in the editorial -- "There would be more losers than winners." -- is obviously true, but also misses the point. The point is there is far more losing than winning. Taxpayers wind up getting hosed in these set-ups. And the proliferation of illegal gambling is a pretty poor excuse for capitulation to gambling interests. Illegal gambling hits government once when problem gamblers and their families wind up on the dole. Legal gambling hits government twice -- once when families get wiped out and once more when new gambling revenue gets spent on politician-enhancing projects instead of on cleaning up its own mess.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Do The Minimum Wage Dance
If your slavish devotion to liberal ideology requires you to support the minimum wage, you really don't want to read this.
Funny Thing Happened To Dem Peace Rally
Congressional Democrats talk tough about how the courageous thing to do is to surrender Iraq to the terrorists, but they can't/won't pull the trigger.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
On Priorities And Polar Bears
Kentucky may not have a Bridge to Nowhere, but we do have a proposed polar bear exhibit at the Louisville Zoo that will not die until it gets $6 million in tax dollars.
Seems like there are a lot of things we could do with that money that would benefit the state more than creating a fake arctic monument to the public welfare.
In fact, the Louisville Zoo would probably benefit immensely from an effort to wean it off tax dollars permanently.
Seems like there are a lot of things we could do with that money that would benefit the state more than creating a fake arctic monument to the public welfare.
In fact, the Louisville Zoo would probably benefit immensely from an effort to wean it off tax dollars permanently.
Avoiding Obvious Solutions On Healthcare
Speacking on last night's Kentucky Tonight program, gubernatorial wannabe Speaker Jody Richards actually spoke in favor of Kentucky's archaic Certificate of Need laws that are proven to keep medical costs artificially high. He even went so far as to decry the proliferation of technology that would occur without the "protection" of CON laws.
Nice.
Nice.
Monday, January 08, 2007
California Scheming
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is talking about a plan that would prohibit his state's insurers from denying health insurance coverage to people based on their health problems.
That's the same great idea that destroyed Kentucky's health insurance market in 1994.
That's the same great idea that destroyed Kentucky's health insurance market in 1994.
How To Turn A Scandal Into Campaign Freebie
Attorney General Greg Stumbo is touting $500 checks car dealer JD Byrider has been ordered to issue to customers. The whole scandal got started when AG Ben Chandler's Louisville consumer office head Bob Winlock got caught arranging special deals for himself on JD Byrider cars.
Nice spinning, guys. I wonder if Winlock got his $500 check yet.
Nice spinning, guys. I wonder if Winlock got his $500 check yet.
This Should Get Them Worked Up
Again, when you hear "embryonic stem cell research," think "government cheese."
No amount of snark will change the facts on this one, guys. The private sector would be all over the embryos if they worked for this kind of therapy. Embryonic stem cell research with taxpayer dollars is a key plank in the Democratic Party platform.
No amount of snark will change the facts on this one, guys. The private sector would be all over the embryos if they worked for this kind of therapy. Embryonic stem cell research with taxpayer dollars is a key plank in the Democratic Party platform.
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