Free Market Health Care? In Kentucky?

The state is working on putting out for bids the health insurance of the 262,000 children covered by Medicaid and KCHIP in Kentucky.

This should get folks upset before, during, and after it saves us some money.

More Fletcher Versus McConnell

Governor Fletcher proposed a tax break for a solid voting bloc and LG Steve Pence responded by saying the state budget surplus really isn't one.

Meanwhile, GOP donors report none of the gubernatorial campaigns are giving out specific polling data.

UPDATE: A Northup poll shows her even with Fletcher and with Harper way behind.

Will Jack Conway Indict Louisville Courier-Journal?

Louisville candidate Jack Conway really, really wants to be Attorney General. Maybe he just wants the office so he can prosecute the Louisville Courier-Journal for "journalistic malpractice."

Alternative Minimum What?

GOP candidate Billy Harper keeps calling the Alternative Minimum Calculation -- actually the LLET -- an Alternative Minimum Tax.

This is brilliant. What's Governor Fletcher going to do, correct him on the name of this insidious tax? Nope. But the General Assembly really should stop taxing unprofitable Kentucky companies.

"Wage Controls Reduce Poverty," "Bush Lied"

Sen. Barack Obama wants to make it illegal for Republicans to lie in political campaigns and The New York Times loves it.

"You Can't Have It Both Ways"

Our Next Attorney General

Health Insurance Give-Aways Cost Too Much

In 2007, Congress is expected to reauthorize the SCHIP subsidy for medical expenses of children in families who don't qualify for Medicaid. No one can seriously think this won't happen, but we could do better. A long-term fix would be to enact the FairTax and allow people to go across state lines to buy health insurance.

Time To Change Debate On Taxes

Fifteen states tax food purchased in grocery stores. Tennessee tops the list with the highest tax rate at 8.35%, and some people there want to get rid of that tax and instead tax incomes. They suggest, of course, that doing so will benefit the poor.

In Kentucky, where we tax incomes but not grocery food, we should go in the exact opposite direction our neighbors to the south are contemplating for exactly the same reason.

A food tax is regressive, hitting low-income earners harder than others. But there is no ripple effect through the economy caused by consumption taxes. The ripples -- a type of multiplier effect -- hit the more vulnerable citizens harder and make upward mobility that much harder. Corporate taxes, however, get passed on through every layer of production and hit the consumer as well. If we really want to help lower-income people with tax policy, we should move away from taxing profits, incomes, and business activity. Taxing consumption only, even at rates that look pretty high at first glance, would cause less collateral damage to our economy.

Democratic Congressman Apparently Can't Read

Earlier today, Rep. Baron Hill (D-Indiana) said "access to health care is a constitutional right."

Last time I checked, HillaryCare wasn't in the Constitution.

February GOP Showdown In Jessamine County

Word is circulating that the annual Republican Party of Kentucky Lincoln Dinner in Louisville is completely sold out.

If you haven't gotten tickets, don't worry. If you really want to see the GOP gubernatorial candidates go toe-to-toe, you can head out to the Jessamine County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner on Saturday, February 10 at the Bluegrass Sportsman's Club. The event runs 11 AM to 1 PM.

Is Dan Rather Doing Crowd Counts For CBS?

Bob Schieffer at CBS would like to see "hundreds of thousands" come out and protest the war, which is his prerogative. Reporting it when it didn't happen, though, is noteworthy.

Hillary Clinton Goes Hard Left On Iraq

Will Cindy Sheehan love President Rodham now that she is demanding Bush surrender Iraq before leaving office?

Legislative Sessions As Economic Development?

Here is an interesting article.

With Brain Drain Myth Gone, Improve Kentucky Higher Ed With Competition

My son graduates high school this year and will very likely receive the maximum $2500 annual KEES stipend for four years of college. The strings attached to the money are supposed to keep him at an in-state school.

It won't work. But new data suggests we need not try so hard to force our students to stay here for school.

Now that it appears we are not experiencing a brain drain, perhaps we should explore improving the educational opportunities of our young citizens by doing away with this provision of the KEES program.

Currently, Kentucky high school graduates can take their KEES money out of state only to participate in programs that aren't available at in-state schools. While it is positive that we can expand our offerings in this way, our economy would probably benefit even more if we allowed students to take KEES money to out of state programs that are available here but are demonstrably superior to those available at state schools.

Armed with the confidence that Kentucky can retain its educated citizens, shouldn't we do even more to ensure they get better preparation?

Breaking: GOP Lawmakers Running For Statewide Offices

Rep. Lonnie Napier is running for Treasurer and Rep. Stan Lee is running for Attorney General.

Bloodbath: Dem Gov 2007 Will Be Fun For Sure

Greg Stumbo is running with Bruce Lunsford. What can that possibly lead to except millions of dollars spent on ripping up the eventual primary winner and -- as a bonus -- a trip to the private sector for Stumbo?

Good luck building golf courses with your own money, Greg.

What Is It About Kentucky College Students That So Offends The Good Folks At AFL-CIO?

Rep. Joe Fischer wants Kentucky's public college students to have a few rights in the classroom and around campus. The Kentucky AFL-CIO voted earlier this month to oppose what seems like a pretty straightforward proposition.

Bush Calls Dems Bluff On War

The same people who are apoplectic that President Bush has dared state "I am the decision maker" on Iraq punt very quickly when he challenges naysayers: "They have an obligation and a serious responsibility therefore to put up their own plan as to what would work."

What Not To Do When No One Shows For Your 8 AM Press Conference -- Candidate Billy Harper

The delivery, setting, and just about everything else around this announcement is a disaster. But is the message the right one?

By the way, I'm told there were three reporters present.