I'm in Atlanta for Georgia Tech's Family Weekend and don't expect to have time for getting online.
By the way, my son just got his KEES scholarship money credited to his checking account. So for all you lottery ticket buyers -- and losers -- thanks again.
And since KEES' open-ended promise and declining lottery sales cause us to dip into the General Fund now, thanks to everyone else.
And ... for the parents who encourage their kids to take easy high schoool courses so their kids can maximize KEES awards -- and then flunk out freshman year due to lack of preparation -- thanks even more. I'll have two kids using your money next year!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Is Steve Beshear Banking On A Cover-Up?
Don't hold your breath waiting for the investigative report on Steve Beshear's law firm's actions to appear, despite the motion filed today by the Lexington Herald-Leader "to allow the Cincinnati law firm Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur to release" the report.
With all the hulaballoo about that report since yesterday, the attorney who said yesterday he "may still have one of the reports but that it could only be released with the permission of a court," Mark Elsener, just told me he still doesn't have it.
"I haven't searched for it," he said.
A hearing to force the firm to turn over the report should take place the week of September 24.
That's a lot of time for a file folder full of paper to disappear.
With all the hulaballoo about that report since yesterday, the attorney who said yesterday he "may still have one of the reports but that it could only be released with the permission of a court," Mark Elsener, just told me he still doesn't have it.
"I haven't searched for it," he said.
A hearing to force the firm to turn over the report should take place the week of September 24.
That's a lot of time for a file folder full of paper to disappear.
Stumbo For Senate Fading Fast
Disgraced Attorney General Greg Stumbo's bid for the Democratic nomination in next year's U.S. Senate race against Sen. Mitch McConnell seems to have ended about as quickly as it started.
Stumbo is expected to announce next week that he has abandoned his campaign and, of course, won't be refunding any contributions he received since July.
Stumbo is expected to announce next week that he has abandoned his campaign and, of course, won't be refunding any contributions he received since July.
New England Governor Steals Steve Beshear's Idea
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says his state may need a massive revenue infusion from casinos to fund state government. Apparently the hoped-for savings from socialized medicine have been a little slow to materialize.
Fortunately for Patrick, Massachusetts has more big banks and insurance companies to pillage than Kentucky does.
Fortunately for Patrick, Massachusetts has more big banks and insurance companies to pillage than Kentucky does.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Eating Chicken, Making America A Better Place
The American Family Association of Kentucky and the Family Foundation of Kentucky are joining forces Tuesday September 18 in Lexington at an event that will make left-wing ACLU-types' heads explode.
The title of the event is "Bringing America Back To God."
Go here for details.
The title of the event is "Bringing America Back To God."
Go here for details.
Next Week's Big Frankfort Story
Since the Executive Branch Ethics Commission dropped its investigation against Governor Fletcher, not much has been said about the previously pardoned Anne Northup supporters who remain under charges.
That is about to change.
Frankly, this is Ernie Fletcher's second chance to wrap up an ugly political situation quickly and set everything right while limiting somewhat the damage to his electoral prospects.
Will he botch this one as thoroughly as he did the first?
That is about to change.
Frankly, this is Ernie Fletcher's second chance to wrap up an ugly political situation quickly and set everything right while limiting somewhat the damage to his electoral prospects.
Will he botch this one as thoroughly as he did the first?
Gambling Issue, Not Opposition, Is Dead In State
Okay, I'm ready to let the people decide on casinos in Kentucky. Bring it on.
There is no support for casinos in the General Assembly. It is a dead issue.
Governor Fletcher deserves kudos for his strong opposition to this snake oil solution this summer. He probably would have scored more political points by opposing it so strenuously a little earlier in the game, but the issue is just as dead.
Steve Beshear needs to go on a "secretive investigation tour" in search of another issue.
There is no support for casinos in the General Assembly. It is a dead issue.
Governor Fletcher deserves kudos for his strong opposition to this snake oil solution this summer. He probably would have scored more political points by opposing it so strenuously a little earlier in the game, but the issue is just as dead.
Steve Beshear needs to go on a "secretive investigation tour" in search of another issue.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
There Might Be A Slight Problem With Steve Beshear's White Knight Image
Insiders are buzzing about a Lexington Herald Leader story coming out Thursday discussing Steve Beshear's role in the destruction of Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company.
Beshear's campaign has tried so far to cast him as a protector of the people in the collapse of this once-great company. The facts suggest otherwise.
UPDATE: Here is the story. Nothing much here, though several sources suggest it is far from over.
Beshear's campaign has tried so far to cast him as a protector of the people in the collapse of this once-great company. The facts suggest otherwise.
UPDATE: Here is the story. Nothing much here, though several sources suggest it is far from over.
Elian Gonzalez Hunting Practice
From the folks who think guns are for arming jack-booted thugs to return six year-old Cuban boys back into captivity, we have a nice Jack "Janet Reno" Conway political prop for your viewing pleasure.
Fortunately, stunts like this didn't fool the NRA, who has endorsed Rep. Stan Lee for Attorney General in Kentucky.
If The French Can Do It, Shouldn't Kentucky?
While Kentucky is Blue-Ribboning its way around the dire need to spend less on state public pensions, France is going head-first into necessary cuts even in the face of strike threats.
And the best part is that it appears to be good politics:
And the best part is that it appears to be good politics:
Opinion polls show overwhelming support for reform of retirement schemes for railway and utility workers that let them retire as early as age 50 with pensions totaling 70% of their top salaries. In a poll by the CSA survey group in June, 56% of respondents said they wanted these so-called "special regimes" reformed quickly.
The Way For The Republican Party To Win
I went down to City Hall in Lexington yesterday to show support for my friends who rallied to keep what's left of the city's blue laws.
If the local economy depended on my family going out and spending money on Sunday, it would utterly collapse. We go to church and we go home. But we are in a tiny minority. So too are those Lexingtonians who sought to make their voices heard yesterday.
And I'm not about to suggest any of these good people compromise their principles for a political agenda. But, clearly, something has to change or we will continue to see Christian ideals unceremoniously discarded.
The Republican party has become a fiscally liberal, socially conservative organization. This is a serious problem. Fiscal liberalism is a recipe for disaster for America and a pathway to an even worse socially liberal decadence than anything we see now.
The Republican party was taken over by social conservatives in the 1980's and began caving in on fiscal issues. Truth be told, Ronald Reagan did this to us more than anyone else.
We don't need another Reagan to get America back on the right track; we need to focus on fiscal conservatism first. There is plenty of room for opposing abortion-on-demand and various forms of government-sanctioned moral degeneracy in a party that focuses on getting our fiscal house in order first. In fact, look around. Feel your social issues voice slipping in influence? Doing the same things in the same way doesn't change anything else in your life, does it?
Start demanding your elected officials cut spending and watch your Christian ideals return to prominence. Reagan's social issues have to be combined with Goldwater's fiscal restraint in order for us to have either.
If the local economy depended on my family going out and spending money on Sunday, it would utterly collapse. We go to church and we go home. But we are in a tiny minority. So too are those Lexingtonians who sought to make their voices heard yesterday.
And I'm not about to suggest any of these good people compromise their principles for a political agenda. But, clearly, something has to change or we will continue to see Christian ideals unceremoniously discarded.
The Republican party has become a fiscally liberal, socially conservative organization. This is a serious problem. Fiscal liberalism is a recipe for disaster for America and a pathway to an even worse socially liberal decadence than anything we see now.
The Republican party was taken over by social conservatives in the 1980's and began caving in on fiscal issues. Truth be told, Ronald Reagan did this to us more than anyone else.
We don't need another Reagan to get America back on the right track; we need to focus on fiscal conservatism first. There is plenty of room for opposing abortion-on-demand and various forms of government-sanctioned moral degeneracy in a party that focuses on getting our fiscal house in order first. In fact, look around. Feel your social issues voice slipping in influence? Doing the same things in the same way doesn't change anything else in your life, does it?
Start demanding your elected officials cut spending and watch your Christian ideals return to prominence. Reagan's social issues have to be combined with Goldwater's fiscal restraint in order for us to have either.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Time's ... Up?
Our liberal friends are going to have a field day with this one.
The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers will hold a six city tour starting at the end of this month with the unfortunate title "Time's Up for Changing Kentucky."
Actually, the tour, which involves stops in Louisville, Florence, Lexington, Bowling Green, Paducah, and London, will involve discussions of the KAM 2008 legislative agenda.
Registration is free and can be completed online at www.kamanufacturers.com.
The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers will hold a six city tour starting at the end of this month with the unfortunate title "Time's Up for Changing Kentucky."
Actually, the tour, which involves stops in Louisville, Florence, Lexington, Bowling Green, Paducah, and London, will involve discussions of the KAM 2008 legislative agenda.
Registration is free and can be completed online at www.kamanufacturers.com.
Time To Ask The Question
If Governor Fletcher loses in November, who will lead the Republican Party/Conservative Movement in Kentucky and why?
Would Beshear Fix Kentucky If He Knew How?
Steve Beshear's answer to a gambling question veered quickly onto turf a Republican governor should be taking him apart on, namely, socialized medicine. When asked if gambling is a sin, Beshear responded:
Recent U.S. Census data clearly indicated that after a decade of pouring more and more tax dollars into buying health insurance for people, the rate of uninsured in America hasn't budged.
How many more billions will we pour into this enterprise before we get the hint that it's the wrong approach?
We have the same thing with education in Kentucky. We continue to throw more money at education bureacrats and a graph of our student achievement continues to be defined by a flat line.
Can't help thinking a Governor Beshear lacking real solutions -- and casino gambling, with no support in the House or Senate is not a real solution -- has already picked out the slogan for his re-election campaign:
The real sin is that in 2007 more than a half-million Kentuckians, including 81,000 children, have no health insurance.
Recent U.S. Census data clearly indicated that after a decade of pouring more and more tax dollars into buying health insurance for people, the rate of uninsured in America hasn't budged.
How many more billions will we pour into this enterprise before we get the hint that it's the wrong approach?
We have the same thing with education in Kentucky. We continue to throw more money at education bureacrats and a graph of our student achievement continues to be defined by a flat line.
Can't help thinking a Governor Beshear lacking real solutions -- and casino gambling, with no support in the House or Senate is not a real solution -- has already picked out the slogan for his re-election campaign:
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thanks, And A Request
Thanks to Senators McConnell and Bunning for voting against the mis-named College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, which will do nothing to reduce the cost of college.
Our gubernatorial candidates should explain their plan for dealing with CCRA at the state level.
Our gubernatorial candidates should explain their plan for dealing with CCRA at the state level.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
We're Off To A Bad Start With Promise Grants
Well, that didn't take long.
Friday, Congress passed an anti-accountability bill for college students and by the next day Eastern Kentucky University took its place in line for the gravy train.
Given our high failure rate for students in our state colleges, it makes little sense to merely throw more money and more students at the same system. Congress is dismantling the student loan system that requires families to consider college costs and replacing it with a massive federal grant program that just needs bodies.
In Kentucky, too many of those bodies are graduating high school unprepared for college work.
It is understandable that a college like EKU would respond to this set of circumstances by making room for thousands more federally-funded students.
But before we bond the billions of dollars necessary to expand our state schools for the coming flood of remedial students, we need to consider the costs to our higher education system when they drop out.
Friday, Congress passed an anti-accountability bill for college students and by the next day Eastern Kentucky University took its place in line for the gravy train.
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) -- Eastern Kentucky University officials have revealed a plan to boost enrollment by nearly 5,000 by the year 2020.
The board of regents discussed the "20K2020" plan on Saturday afternoon.
Given our high failure rate for students in our state colleges, it makes little sense to merely throw more money and more students at the same system. Congress is dismantling the student loan system that requires families to consider college costs and replacing it with a massive federal grant program that just needs bodies.
In Kentucky, too many of those bodies are graduating high school unprepared for college work.
It is understandable that a college like EKU would respond to this set of circumstances by making room for thousands more federally-funded students.
But before we bond the billions of dollars necessary to expand our state schools for the coming flood of remedial students, we need to consider the costs to our higher education system when they drop out.
Kentucky Must React To Promise Grants
The U.S. House and Senate passed a higher education spending bill Friday that requires an immediate response from Frankfort.
It is the largest higher education spending bill since the G.I. Bill. And it all goes to finance a trip to college for students whose main qualification is financial need.
As soon as President Bush signs this bill, Kentucky must shift all its resources from need-based aid to merit-based aid and raise the standards on merit-based aid. Doing this may help keep middle-class families from being shut out of a college education merely because they have some ability to pay for it.
There are several party line-type criticisms I could make about this bill as there are some serious unintended consequences in it that liberals often seem to fall for. But there is no time for that. President Bush has said he will sign the bill.
A massive shift in state financial aid may be critical to the survival of our state colleges.
It is the largest higher education spending bill since the G.I. Bill. And it all goes to finance a trip to college for students whose main qualification is financial need.
As soon as President Bush signs this bill, Kentucky must shift all its resources from need-based aid to merit-based aid and raise the standards on merit-based aid. Doing this may help keep middle-class families from being shut out of a college education merely because they have some ability to pay for it.
There are several party line-type criticisms I could make about this bill as there are some serious unintended consequences in it that liberals often seem to fall for. But there is no time for that. President Bush has said he will sign the bill.
A massive shift in state financial aid may be critical to the survival of our state colleges.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Friday, September 07, 2007
NewsFlash: Socialized Medicine Not A Panacea
It seems RomneyCare isn't meeting everyone's expectations.
Apparently some people thought the new law would somehow repeal all forms of reality. Of course, we can expect it to work differently in Kentucky.
"That is discrimination," said Evelyn Hartrey, a 60-year-old who found that the least-expensive plan would cost her $352 a month, while a 27-year-old would pay $176 for the same coverage.
Apparently some people thought the new law would somehow repeal all forms of reality. Of course, we can expect it to work differently in Kentucky.
What's Six Million Dollars Between Friends?
Looks like we are about to pay EDS $33.2 million over the next five years to set up an automated income tax payment system. If the state government chooses not to pick up the last two option years of the contract, the cost would be $23.4 million over three years.
The primary benefit of this deal seems to be that taxpayers could file state taxes online.
11:38 UPDATE: The Finance and Administration Cabinet is now disputing the amount of the five year contract EDS is giving out. According to spokesperson Jill Midkiff, it is $27 million instead of $33.2 million.
11:53 UPDATE: EDS spokesman Brad Bass said the Commonwealth of Kentucky approved the press release with the $33.2 million figure, but that he will double-check it.
5:24 UPDATE: Mr. Bass from EDS says it appears the company may have erred in its press release, but that he would call back when he had details.
The Finance and Administration Cabinet released the following statement: "The Comprehensive Tax System (CTS) will provide much more than electronic filing for taxpayers. The long-term goal of CTS is to replace all of our existing systems with a system that uses new technology that is easier to maintain, more cost effective, user and taxpayer friendly, and will better prepare the Department of Revenue for technological advances in the future. The purpose of CTS is to provide the Finance and Administration Cabinet the means to enhance the administration and collection of revenues using optimal processes and technology to benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth."
5:38 UPDATE: Mr. Bass from EDS called back to confirm the company was indeed wrong to claim the contract was worth $33.2 million over five years and would actually only be worth that much if the service agreement were to run for nine years. Otherwise, the state was right to claim that the five year contract is for $27 million. Which gets me back to my original question: "Is it worth the money?" For that, they will get back to me on Monday. Stay tuned.
The primary benefit of this deal seems to be that taxpayers could file state taxes online.
11:38 UPDATE: The Finance and Administration Cabinet is now disputing the amount of the five year contract EDS is giving out. According to spokesperson Jill Midkiff, it is $27 million instead of $33.2 million.
11:53 UPDATE: EDS spokesman Brad Bass said the Commonwealth of Kentucky approved the press release with the $33.2 million figure, but that he will double-check it.
5:24 UPDATE: Mr. Bass from EDS says it appears the company may have erred in its press release, but that he would call back when he had details.
The Finance and Administration Cabinet released the following statement: "The Comprehensive Tax System (CTS) will provide much more than electronic filing for taxpayers. The long-term goal of CTS is to replace all of our existing systems with a system that uses new technology that is easier to maintain, more cost effective, user and taxpayer friendly, and will better prepare the Department of Revenue for technological advances in the future. The purpose of CTS is to provide the Finance and Administration Cabinet the means to enhance the administration and collection of revenues using optimal processes and technology to benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth."
5:38 UPDATE: Mr. Bass from EDS called back to confirm the company was indeed wrong to claim the contract was worth $33.2 million over five years and would actually only be worth that much if the service agreement were to run for nine years. Otherwise, the state was right to claim that the five year contract is for $27 million. Which gets me back to my original question: "Is it worth the money?" For that, they will get back to me on Monday. Stay tuned.
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