Kentuckians might want to pay attention to the effort to further expand casino gambling in Indiana in order to raise -- you guessed it -- more revenue.
How many times to we have to go through this? States sell casinos as a solution to revenue shortfalls. Then they spend all the money they see coming in and spend more for the added social costs. Then they build more casinos on the promise that just a few more will fix the problem for good.
Then they do it again.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Reforming Med-Mal + Repealing CON = More Doctors, Healthier Kentuckians
It certainly won't be any easier if we fail to dispatch liberal trial attorneys Steve Beshear and Jack Conway in November, but Kentucky needs to take another look at medical malpractice reform.
How about a little real-world evidence that reform actually works?
How about a little real-world evidence that reform actually works?
Greg Stumbo Asleep At The Wheel
There was a whole lot of gouging going on last night and our illustrious Attorney General hasn't done anything about it.
My wife and daughter went to Joseph Beth bookstore in Lexington last night for the Harry Potter release. They picked up a pre-paid copy of the book we bought six months ago for $29 while innocent consumers paid an outrageous $37.
Meanwhile, Walmart was selling the same book last night for $17. Since we are still under a state of emergency from 2005, I assume we should expect a price-gouging lawsuit soon.
My wife and daughter went to Joseph Beth bookstore in Lexington last night for the Harry Potter release. They picked up a pre-paid copy of the book we bought six months ago for $29 while innocent consumers paid an outrageous $37.
Meanwhile, Walmart was selling the same book last night for $17. Since we are still under a state of emergency from 2005, I assume we should expect a price-gouging lawsuit soon.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Lots Of New Hot Air In The Rocky Mountains
Get this: former Kentucky liberal blogmeister Mark Nickolas has proof that global warming is cooking Montana.
NIMBY Alert: Beshear Casino Plan For Midway
A Democratic Party source reports Woodford county officials and casino candidate Steve Beshear have cooked up an elaborate ruse to build a stand-alone casino in beautiful Midway, Kentucky.
The site is called the Midway Station Commerce District and is promoted by organizers as something that "will become a vital part of the region as it embodies the values of the New Economy."
But it is really just going to be a casino that will suck the life out of local businesses.
The site is called the Midway Station Commerce District and is promoted by organizers as something that "will become a vital part of the region as it embodies the values of the New Economy."
But it is really just going to be a casino that will suck the life out of local businesses.
Start Phasing Out Kentucky Corporate Taxes
Over 49% of GOP primary voters this year pulled the lever for candidates who made corporate income tax reduction key planks in their campaign platforms.
It may be difficult for Washington to have a real discussion about lowering federal corporate income taxes, but we shouldn't let that stop us.
The worldwide case for lowering corporate taxes is overwhelming. Eliminating them in one fell swoop is worth considering hypothetically, but politically it is a non-starter.
An across-the-board one percentage point reduction in corporate taxes should easily create enough economic activity to justify talking about further cuts.
It may be difficult for Washington to have a real discussion about lowering federal corporate income taxes, but we shouldn't let that stop us.
The worldwide case for lowering corporate taxes is overwhelming. Eliminating them in one fell swoop is worth considering hypothetically, but politically it is a non-starter.
An across-the-board one percentage point reduction in corporate taxes should easily create enough economic activity to justify talking about further cuts.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
It's Raining Subpoenas!
It's a mess down at the Fayette County Detention Center tonight after federal authorities dumped subpoenas on several suspects and witnesses in the prisoner abuse scandal.
And the city's lawyers are scrambling to drop soon-to-be defendants and to make them get their own legal representation.
The Isaac/Newberry cover-up has just about run its course.
And the city's lawyers are scrambling to drop soon-to-be defendants and to make them get their own legal representation.
The Isaac/Newberry cover-up has just about run its course.
Honor Among Thieves In Indiana
No word yet on how many Kentuckians are among those who may face criminal charges because a big casino in Indiana put the wrong software in one of its slot machines.
Someone should ask Jack Conway what he would do to protect Kentucky consumers in the case of such a screw-up here. And will AG Greg Stumbo do anything to protect his constituents from such a malicious prosecution by another state?
Someone should ask Jack Conway what he would do to protect Kentucky consumers in the case of such a screw-up here. And will AG Greg Stumbo do anything to protect his constituents from such a malicious prosecution by another state?
Jack Conway, Consumer Protector Or Not?
Attorney General candidate Stan Lee is on the Leland Conway show in Lexington this morning asking his opponent, liberal activist Jack Conway, to join him in opposition to Steve Beshear's casino gambling scheme.
Jack can't seem to do it, though. All he can manage to do is call Stan Lee names.
For someone who keeps talking about wanting to raise the level of anti-business activism in the Attorney General's office, Jack Conway's continued silence on the casino issue is illuminating. This issue should be a complete non-starter for everyone but Steve Beshear.
Where are you, Jack?
Jack can't seem to do it, though. All he can manage to do is call Stan Lee names.
For someone who keeps talking about wanting to raise the level of anti-business activism in the Attorney General's office, Jack Conway's continued silence on the casino issue is illuminating. This issue should be a complete non-starter for everyone but Steve Beshear.
Where are you, Jack?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Time For A New Topic In Gubernatorial Debates
Governor Fletcher and Steve Beshear debated again today and got the most attention for arguing about Beshear's casino gambling "plan."
A more important area of difference to highlight is Beshear's plan to expand government's role in the doctor-patient relationship. Of course this might necessitate a stronger free market position from Governor Fletcher.
He really, really needs to push for repeal of Certificate of Need. Seriously, ask Terry McBrayer.
Short of that, he could start talking about eliminating mandates in health insurance policies. And if he can't do that, at least point out how expensive health coverage will be for all of us when Steve Beshear makes it "free."
A more important area of difference to highlight is Beshear's plan to expand government's role in the doctor-patient relationship. Of course this might necessitate a stronger free market position from Governor Fletcher.
He really, really needs to push for repeal of Certificate of Need. Seriously, ask Terry McBrayer.
Short of that, he could start talking about eliminating mandates in health insurance policies. And if he can't do that, at least point out how expensive health coverage will be for all of us when Steve Beshear makes it "free."
Now This is More Like It
Tomorrow the legislature's Interim Joint Committee on Education will meet at the Galt House-West in Louisville. Dr. Robert Barr, author of "How To Create Alternative, Magnet, and Charter Schools That Work" will be there to speak.
Kentucky really needs charter schools.
Kentucky really needs charter schools.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Getting It Right This Time
I'm hearing good things about Dr. Penney Sanders as a candidate for Kentucky's education commissioner.
Much more on this soon...
Meanwhile, check out John Edwards' fake education reform.
Much more on this soon...
Meanwhile, check out John Edwards' fake education reform.
Lexington Jail Scandal Rolling Now
Beth Musgrave at the Lexington Herald Leader is working on the story.
This is about to get very fun...
FBI officials later said that they were investigating whether officers at the jail used excessive force on inmates. A Covington federal grand jury has heard testimony in the criminal case. No one has been charged. David Beyer, a spokesman for the FBI, said the investigation is ongoing and he could not say more about the status of the case.
This is about to get very fun...
Kentucky Economic Developers Take Note
The Democratic Party's standard bearer, Senator Hillary Clinton, says as president she will "eliminate incentives for American companies to ship jobs and profits overseas."
Well, we know she is isn't going to lower taxes on any evil corporations. She must be talking about forcing companies to keep operations here or risk facing punishment.
Given that Queen Hillary and Steve Beshear are two politicians who do better only by saying less, it sure would be fun to get them both talking about how they would keep employers from fleeing their respective domains.
Well, we know she is isn't going to lower taxes on any evil corporations. She must be talking about forcing companies to keep operations here or risk facing punishment.
Given that Queen Hillary and Steve Beshear are two politicians who do better only by saying less, it sure would be fun to get them both talking about how they would keep employers from fleeing their respective domains.
Enjoy The Gridlock While It Lasts
It would be pretty hard to deny that House Democrats will come around and support everything on Governor Fletcher's special session call after the election.
Talking On Tuesday
I'll be on the radio this morning talking about pre-filed bills for the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly. Tune in to 630 AM at 10:30 this morning or catch "The Pulse of Lexington" show with Leland Conway on the internet at wlap.com. Just click on "Listen Live" in the top-right portion of the page.
If you haven't already, you might like to go to www.kyvotes.org and sign up for regular updates on what the legislature is doing. They are working on the laws today that you will have to live with tomorrow and Kentucky Votes is a great way to stay on top of their current activities and check up on some of the things they have already done.
If you haven't already, you might like to go to www.kyvotes.org and sign up for regular updates on what the legislature is doing. They are working on the laws today that you will have to live with tomorrow and Kentucky Votes is a great way to stay on top of their current activities and check up on some of the things they have already done.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Worm Turning On Jim Newberry
The city of Lexington today cancelled a July 18 civil service hearing that Mayor Jim Newberry called previously in order to fire federal whistleblower Corporal John Vest.
Newberry's actions have already led Vest to sue him for violating the Whistleblower Act, official misconduct, and abuse of power.
Newberry's actions have already led Vest to sue him for violating the Whistleblower Act, official misconduct, and abuse of power.
Marathon Oil Case Back In News Soon
Attorney General Greg Stumbo's primary election gambit to draw attention with a poorly conceived attack on gasoline suppliers is in a holding pattern as both the AG's office and Marathon Oil await a ruling on whether the case belongs in state or federal court.
Meanwhile, we need to get straight on the idea that bad laws are no solution to market price fluctuations. And overly ambitious prosecutors don't help anything, either.
Meanwhile, we need to get straight on the idea that bad laws are no solution to market price fluctuations. And overly ambitious prosecutors don't help anything, either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)