South Carolina continues to kick our butts on Governor-driven state spending transparency.
Their latest victory is in posting Medicaid spending to the internet. Governor Steve Beshear, meanwhile, is still dithering.
Rep. Jim DeCesare says he will re-file his transparency bill from last year, but he shouldn't have to when Beshear could get it done via executive order.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Need video conferencing Thursday
Just when I thought I was almost completely off the gasoline-consuming grid, I have to drive around to meetings today.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't check back here often for updates (because I'll figure out a way!) but it just means new posts will be a little sparse for a little while.
I'll throw out one thought. I may have the ability to bring in some national speakers to Kentucky for a conservative activists' convention. Any thoughts?
That doesn't mean you shouldn't check back here often for updates (because I'll figure out a way!) but it just means new posts will be a little sparse for a little while.
I'll throw out one thought. I may have the ability to bring in some national speakers to Kentucky for a conservative activists' convention. Any thoughts?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
"Newberry's judge" has to go
The plaintiffs in the Lexington illegal welfare benefits case will ask that Judge Jennifer Coffman recuse herself from the case because of her close ties to Mayor Jim Newberry. From Dr. David Duncan's filing:
Meanwhile, Mayor Newberry seems to be playing "hide the politician" by ducking multiple attempts to serve papers on him from the lawsuit.
Pathetic.
"She represented the interests Lexington Fayette Urban County Government while
in private practice prior to her appointment as a Federal judge;"
"2. She swore in the present Mayor James Newberry at his request and he is the Chief Executive Officer of one of the Respondents;"
"3. Petitioner does not believe Judge Coffman cannot be unbiased in this case."
"4. A ruling in this case by this judge would give the appearance of corruption given this judge’s connection with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government."
Meanwhile, Mayor Newberry seems to be playing "hide the politician" by ducking multiple attempts to serve papers on him from the lawsuit.
Pathetic.
Barry can't do math
Do you really like Sen. Barack Obama's tax proposals and economic ideas?
This will help:
This will help:
Lexington jail defendants duck and cover
The defendants in the Lexington jail prisoner abuse scandal are attempting this morning to give up their right to a speedy trial in order to delay the August 18 start of their trial.
Defendant Anthony Estep said through his attorney Brian Butler "the length of their investigation, the nature of the alleged conspiracy, the voluminous discovery much of which must be inspected at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Office and
the number of co-defendants make this matter complex and warrant a continuance."
He is probably right, but I can't imagine what kind of magic bullet they are going to find in a few more weeks or even months.
Defendant Anthony Estep said through his attorney Brian Butler "the length of their investigation, the nature of the alleged conspiracy, the voluminous discovery much of which must be inspected at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Office and
the number of co-defendants make this matter complex and warrant a continuance."
He is probably right, but I can't imagine what kind of magic bullet they are going to find in a few more weeks or even months.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Why can't it be "press one for freedom?"
Just took a call from James "Jim" Wells of Lexington. He said he wanted to talk to me about something. Said he had just called in to Verizon customer service and had a recorded voice tell him to press one for English.
"I didn't serve in the war on foreign soil to press one for English," Wells, who will be 82 in January, said.
Wells joined the United States Navy on his 17th birthday and spent most of World War Two in England, Ireland, and Wales. He earned four battle stars.
"I could hear the Battle of Normandy," he said. "I wasn't in it, but I could hear it."
He then went to the Pacific and arrived in Tokyo thirteen days after the war had ended. He remembers seeing suicide bombers.
Mr. Wells said he enjoyed reading this site and asked if I might help put his frustration into words. Done, Mr. Wells. God bless you. And thank you for your service to America.
"I didn't serve in the war on foreign soil to press one for English," Wells, who will be 82 in January, said.
Wells joined the United States Navy on his 17th birthday and spent most of World War Two in England, Ireland, and Wales. He earned four battle stars.
"I could hear the Battle of Normandy," he said. "I wasn't in it, but I could hear it."
He then went to the Pacific and arrived in Tokyo thirteen days after the war had ended. He remembers seeing suicide bombers.
Mr. Wells said he enjoyed reading this site and asked if I might help put his frustration into words. Done, Mr. Wells. God bless you. And thank you for your service to America.
Beshear makes move to behead Draud
Gov. Steve Beshear's first action after his election last November was to try to get rid of Education Commissioner Jon Draud.
Looks like he has found his man.
Not that Draud has been any kind of change agent at the Department of Education, but if Beshear plans to replace him with Rep. Frank Rasche, he is not exactly moving us forward.
Looks like he has found his man.
Not that Draud has been any kind of change agent at the Department of Education, but if Beshear plans to replace him with Rep. Frank Rasche, he is not exactly moving us forward.
It's the stupid out-of-control spending
Congress is getting ready to misspend another billion dollars of your money:
It's the same story all over again. Taxpayers tighten their belts at home while politicians whip out the credit card.
"The federal government doesn’t need to spend more money on infrastructure. The 2005 highway bill, for example, increased funding by 42 percent – to a record $286.5 billion. This isn’t to say that Congress can’t reevaluate where existing funds are allocated. If bridge inspection is a priority, tax dollars should be shifted from less pressing projects. If just 1/25 of the funds that went to the 2005 highway bill’s 6,500 earmarks (totaling 9 percent of the total cost) were devoted to bridge repair, the new spending in H.R. 3999 would be more than offset. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to shell out another dollar until Congress gets its transportation spending priorities straight."
"Roll call votes against H.R. 3999 will be significantly weighted in our 2008 Rating of Congress."
It's the same story all over again. Taxpayers tighten their belts at home while politicians whip out the credit card.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Landmark lawsuit rocks sanctuary city
Americans who value our freedoms are genuinely proud to see people from around the world risk everything they have to come here for the opportunity to enjoy what we often take for granted.
Few of us, however, include in our definitions of freedom the unfettered ability to live off the efforts of others through welfare and public benefits. Unfortunately, too many of those few who do are elected officials.
For the rest of us, Jenean McBrearty of Danville comes to the rescue today as the author of a lawsuit in federal district court in Lexington. You can get details of the lawsuit here.
McBrearty said inaction by Lexington officials left no choice but to file the lawsuit:
Dr. David Duncan has been a high-profile voice for fiscal responsibility and public safety. He blasted Mayor Jim Newberry for falling short of his public duties in these areas.
The importance of this case will become apparent as citizens come forward and file similar suits in other cities across the state and nation.
Few of us, however, include in our definitions of freedom the unfettered ability to live off the efforts of others through welfare and public benefits. Unfortunately, too many of those few who do are elected officials.
For the rest of us, Jenean McBrearty of Danville comes to the rescue today as the author of a lawsuit in federal district court in Lexington. You can get details of the lawsuit here.
McBrearty said inaction by Lexington officials left no choice but to file the lawsuit:
Dr. David Duncan has been a high-profile voice for fiscal responsibility and public safety. He blasted Mayor Jim Newberry for falling short of his public duties in these areas.
The importance of this case will become apparent as citizens come forward and file similar suits in other cities across the state and nation.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Al and me in Austin
Al Gore is across town talking to Netroots Nation. Americans for Prosperity has a hilarious Al Gore video:
Why not just spend less on stupid stuff?
From the Associated Press:
We just love tax increases, don't we? Sure would like to see public spending restraint emerge as a silver lining of the gas price cloudiness.
"Among other revenue-raising possibilities, the commission recommended gradually increasing the current federal fuel taxes to 40 cents a gallon.
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association is calling for a 10-cent-a-gallon raise and indexing the tax to inflation. With construction costs soaring because of competition for building materials from China and other developing nations, the tax rate would have to be about 29 cents a gallon to achieve the same purchasing power as the 18.4-cent rate imposed in 1993, the association says.
Including state and local levies, people in the U.S. pay about 47 cents on average in taxes for a gallon of gasoline. Fuel in many European countries costs $8 to $9 a gallon, with half or more of that going to taxes."
We just love tax increases, don't we? Sure would like to see public spending restraint emerge as a silver lining of the gas price cloudiness.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Live blogging Americans for Prosperity
I'm at the Americans for Prosperity conference in Austin, Texas. Robert Novak is the keynote speaker.
I'll cover his remarks on the Bluegrass Policy Blog.
UPDATE: the post is up on Bluegrass Policy blog including comments about Senator Mitch McConnell. (Hint: Novak said he is not a big fan of McConnell, but that he expects him to be Minority Leader next year.)
I'll cover his remarks on the Bluegrass Policy Blog.
UPDATE: the post is up on Bluegrass Policy blog including comments about Senator Mitch McConnell. (Hint: Novak said he is not a big fan of McConnell, but that he expects him to be Minority Leader next year.)
Few hail the hero's return
A couple of years ago, Ben Chandler's campaign consultant Mark Nickolas caught lightning in a bottle when he started a blog called Bluegrass Report. He frequently received fawning coverage in the mainstream media and claimed traffic rivalling that of many weekly newspapers in the state.
BGR 2.0, with a new writer, isn't off to a very good start. In fact, it's dreadful:
It is impossible to deny the devastating impact Bluegrass Report had on Ernie Fletcher's administration. Seeing it reduced to putting a happy face on Steve Beshear should maybe be a worth a little laugh. Instead, it is just sad.
BGR 2.0, with a new writer, isn't off to a very good start. In fact, it's dreadful:
It is impossible to deny the devastating impact Bluegrass Report had on Ernie Fletcher's administration. Seeing it reduced to putting a happy face on Steve Beshear should maybe be a worth a little laugh. Instead, it is just sad.
Will Jim Ramsey get a pass?
Louisville Business First looks pretty silly congratulating University of Louisville President Jim Ramsey for not taking a $113,000 bonus earlier this month.
The hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent grants doled out under his watch dwarf that amount.
There is going to be much more on this ahead.
The hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent grants doled out under his watch dwarf that amount.
There is going to be much more on this ahead.
Another scalp so soon?
There are unconfirmed reports this morning Fayette jail Assistant Director of Operations Jim Kammer is being forced to retire at the end of August.
He would join Don Leach in getting a long overdue kicking to the curb.
The timing of these high level retirements is significant because they will cost both men dearly in terms of lost pension money.
Unfinished business remains.
The city of Lexington probably has no comment.
He would join Don Leach in getting a long overdue kicking to the curb.
The timing of these high level retirements is significant because they will cost both men dearly in terms of lost pension money.
Unfinished business remains.
The city of Lexington probably has no comment.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Bad numbers in Whitley county
The Corbin News Journal reports today that the Whitley County School Board "voted to provide a free breakfast for all students."
Setting aside for now the argument about whether that is a necessary and proper government expenditure right now, the numbers just don't make sense.
According to the newspaper, the school superintendent said the cost would be $50,000 a year. It also says the cost per breakfast is $1.15.
In a district with ten schools, that just doesn't add up.
Of course, we are talking about Kentucky schools. The numbers often don't add up.
Setting aside for now the argument about whether that is a necessary and proper government expenditure right now, the numbers just don't make sense.
According to the newspaper, the school superintendent said the cost would be $50,000 a year. It also says the cost per breakfast is $1.15.
In a district with ten schools, that just doesn't add up.
Of course, we are talking about Kentucky schools. The numbers often don't add up.
Aim for their heads, Jim Bunning
Sen. Jim Bunning did a quick interview with Larry Kudlow about how our Republican administration is screwing us fiscally.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Gonna get another scalp soon
With Fayette County Detention Center schemer Don Leach forced out this week, we turn our attention to which domino falls next.
Some say Jim Kammer. Others guess Ron Bishop.
Getting both of them off the public payroll -- and a few more, too -- can't happen fast enough.
Some say Jim Kammer. Others guess Ron Bishop.
Getting both of them off the public payroll -- and a few more, too -- can't happen fast enough.
Getting McCain right on education reform
Sen. John McCain was in Cincinnati this morning talking up school choice. That's a good thing, says the Cato Institute, as long as he doesn't try to do it on a national level.
Kentucky should start with special needs scholarships because official abuse is so bad against students with special needs in Kentucky public schools.
"...the Constitution mentions neither the word “education” nor the word “school.” Congress and the president simply do not have a mandate to create such a program. More than that, a national private school choice program risks extending pervasive government regulation over private schools from the Potomac to the Pacific, homogenizing the options available to families and thus defeating the entire point of school choice. It is far better and safer for presidential candidates to tout the merits of school choice and encourage their state-level counterparts to put these programs into place."
Kentucky should start with special needs scholarships because official abuse is so bad against students with special needs in Kentucky public schools.
Four minutes of smaller government whoopass
Just as Massachusetts is asking for another $100 million for their socialized medicine program, the people who are pushing to repeal their state income tax are now asking for government spending transparency.
Awesome:
Awesome:
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