Disgraced former Lexington jail administrator Don Leach has been given permission by Director Ron Bishop to take three FCDC passenger vans on a five-day road trip to Louisville later this month.
How did you fit that into the budget, Mayor Newberry?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pres. Barack Obama doesn't hear you yet
Here's the latest from the Teleprompter-in-Chief:
This rationale for expanding government spending would only make sense if bureaucrats knew where economic equilibrium belonged all the time and knew how to get it there. Since they don't and can't, Obama's logic doesn't hold up.
Further, since Obama doesn't know where equilibrium is or how to get it any place in particular while he continues to insist on wasting our money trying to figure it out, we should probably all get together and talk about what we are going to do next.
How about Saturday in Lexington?
"To begin with, economists on both the left and right agree that the last thing a government should do in the middle of a recession is to cut back on spending. You see, when this recession began, many families sat around their kitchen table and tried to figure out where they could cut back. So do many businesses. That is a completely responsible and understandable reaction. But if every family in America cuts back, then no one is spending any money, which means there are more layoffs, and the economy gets even worse. That’s why the government has to step in and temporarily boost spending in order to stimulate demand. And that’s exactly what we’re doing right now."
This rationale for expanding government spending would only make sense if bureaucrats knew where economic equilibrium belonged all the time and knew how to get it there. Since they don't and can't, Obama's logic doesn't hold up.
Further, since Obama doesn't know where equilibrium is or how to get it any place in particular while he continues to insist on wasting our money trying to figure it out, we should probably all get together and talk about what we are going to do next.
How about Saturday in Lexington?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Save money by axing Kentucky Treasurer
One funny part of Pat Crowley's recent profile of state Sen. Damon Thayer suggests Thayer may run for Treasurer in 2011.
Sen. Thayer is not going to run for the do-nothing Treasurer's office. He filed the bill in 2008 to shut down the office to save money.
Thayer's no-nonsense style might be an interesting fit for an Auditor's office traditionally misused as a political weapon, though.
Sen. Thayer is not going to run for the do-nothing Treasurer's office. He filed the bill in 2008 to shut down the office to save money.
Thayer's no-nonsense style might be an interesting fit for an Auditor's office traditionally misused as a political weapon, though.
Is honest transparency a political winner?
It's too early to tell what Gov. Steve Beshear's cynical approach to government spending transparency will cost him politically. Conventional wisdom certainly would suggest that simple lack of awareness will continue to allow him to get away with yet another broken campaign promise.
But if really Louisville rolls out a taxpayer's checkbook web site this summer that shows where the money is going and Beshear continues the shucking and jiving, the stark contrast might attract attention.
If Councilman Ken Fleming's obvious pride in leading Louisville toward openness and better taxpayer service is any indication, this issue isn't going away.
But if really Louisville rolls out a taxpayer's checkbook web site this summer that shows where the money is going and Beshear continues the shucking and jiving, the stark contrast might attract attention.
If Councilman Ken Fleming's obvious pride in leading Louisville toward openness and better taxpayer service is any indication, this issue isn't going away.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
What happens when everything is a casino?
West Virginia's legislature on Friday sent a bill to their governor that would expand casino dependency past race tracks and on to a bankrupt resort in order to "save" it.
How long till they set up casinos at all the libraries and DMV offices to fund them? Is this getting a little ridiculous for anyone yet?
How long till they set up casinos at all the libraries and DMV offices to fund them? Is this getting a little ridiculous for anyone yet?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Rolling through Richmond
Thanks to everyone who participated in a great Tea Party event in Richmond on Saturday!
I'll be back in Madison County on Wednesday, April 15 and in Fayette County the same day to speak to mid-day courthouse crowds. Hope to see you there.
I'll be back in Madison County on Wednesday, April 15 and in Fayette County the same day to speak to mid-day courthouse crowds. Hope to see you there.
Leland Conway speaks to GOP breakfast
Since LBJ declared war on poverty in the 1960's we have spent more than $12 trillion on that effort and have seen the number of people in poverty increase."
"Ignorance is not the same thing as stupidity. Most people think like we do, they just don't know it."
"I think Americans by and large still believe in a culture of life and liberty."
"On Wednesday we will have another Tea Party downtown in Lexington and next Saturday we will have another one at Applebee's Ball Park. Some people are saying 'I thought they already had one in Lexington.' We did. And we will have another and another and and another and another until the politicians in Frankfort and Washington D.C. get the message."
"I believe in the depths of my soul this nation has a special purpose and that purpose is Liberty."
"Our nation was not meant to go down in socialism."
"Ignorance is not the same thing as stupidity. Most people think like we do, they just don't know it."
"I think Americans by and large still believe in a culture of life and liberty."
"On Wednesday we will have another Tea Party downtown in Lexington and next Saturday we will have another one at Applebee's Ball Park. Some people are saying 'I thought they already had one in Lexington.' We did. And we will have another and another and and another and another until the politicians in Frankfort and Washington D.C. get the message."
"I believe in the depths of my soul this nation has a special purpose and that purpose is Liberty."
"Our nation was not meant to go down in socialism."
Stan Lee speaks about 2009 General Assembly
"In the midst of a recession, we voted to raise taxes on Kentuckians nearly $300 million."
"We passed a $1.2 billion road plan with over $600 million in new debt."
Rep. Lee mentioned that repealing prevailing wage would have saved the state "more than $120 million a year."
Said SB 1 was the most important bill passed in the General Assembly.
"We came back to Frankfort in June of 2008 to fix the problem of pensions. Then just a few months later we backed off of the little bit of good that we did in that Special Session."
"All the businesses who said 'stick it to alcohol and tobacco,' your business is next because we're coming back in June."
"We passed a $1.2 billion road plan with over $600 million in new debt."
Rep. Lee mentioned that repealing prevailing wage would have saved the state "more than $120 million a year."
Said SB 1 was the most important bill passed in the General Assembly.
"We came back to Frankfort in June of 2008 to fix the problem of pensions. Then just a few months later we backed off of the little bit of good that we did in that Special Session."
"All the businesses who said 'stick it to alcohol and tobacco,' your business is next because we're coming back in June."
Friday, April 10, 2009
How media misreports government overspending
The state reported Friday morning that General Fund revenues are higher for March and for the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
That would seem to contradict the politicians' claims of revenue shortfall, wouldn't it? Well, you'd never get the idea that spending to much (rather than taxing us too little) is the problem if you depend on the Lexington Herald Leader and Louisville Courier Journal for your news.
Seeing words like "no growth" and "flat," one might get the mistaken impression that revenues have not continued to climb.
Try instead the Bluegrass Policy Blog, which got it right and even did the math for you. Click here to read the story on the Bluegrass Policy Blog.
That would seem to contradict the politicians' claims of revenue shortfall, wouldn't it? Well, you'd never get the idea that spending to much (rather than taxing us too little) is the problem if you depend on the Lexington Herald Leader and Louisville Courier Journal for your news.
Seeing words like "no growth" and "flat," one might get the mistaken impression that revenues have not continued to climb.
Try instead the Bluegrass Policy Blog, which got it right and even did the math for you. Click here to read the story on the Bluegrass Policy Blog.
Taking Richmond by storm
The Richmond Tea Party for Saturday, April 11, is all set. Should be a great time. Details are here. Check back for video coverage.
I am convinced that the key to these events is setting them up two at a time and to always be promoting the next event. A follow-up to Saturday's Richmond Tea Party will come next Wednesday, April 15 at noon at the Madison County courthouse.
Local political figures Kent Clark, Ed Worley, and Harry Moberly are NOT expected to attend.
I am convinced that the key to these events is setting them up two at a time and to always be promoting the next event. A follow-up to Saturday's Richmond Tea Party will come next Wednesday, April 15 at noon at the Madison County courthouse.
Local political figures Kent Clark, Ed Worley, and Harry Moberly are NOT expected to attend.
Irony escapes another industry in transition
The Radio-Television News Directors Association gave WHAS11 in Louisville its prestigious Edward R. Murrow Investigative Reporting Award for covering a story we all read about first and best on PageOneKentucky blog.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Hoping for better from Karem
After failing to place a top teachers union official on the state school board last month, Gov. Steve Beshear appointed Thursday one of the authors of the Kentucky Education Reform Act, former Sen. David Karem.
With the end of CATS testing, Kentucky is headed in a new direction toward greater accountability in our schools. Hope Karem works with us and not against us.
With the end of CATS testing, Kentucky is headed in a new direction toward greater accountability in our schools. Hope Karem works with us and not against us.
While Kentucky sinks deeper into debt
Kentucky's debt problem is Frankfort's big secret. Meanwhile, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford keeps fighting back.
Doesn't stand for "fantastic"
The National Taxpayers Union released Thursday it's latest Congressional report card for tax and spending votes. Rep. Ben Chandler earned his fifth straight "F" grade.
Sen. Jim Bunning earned one of only nine "A" grades in the Senate. Read the whole report here.
Sen. Jim Bunning earned one of only nine "A" grades in the Senate. Read the whole report here.
Obama the Restructurer
The White House announced Thursday a plan to buy up thousands of cars for the federal government's fleet.
"I will continue to ensure that we are working to support the American auto industry during this difficult period of restructuring," President Barack Obama said.
While Obama continues "ensuring" with our money, of course, necessary restructuring is unnecessarily -- and expensively -- delayed.
"I will continue to ensure that we are working to support the American auto industry during this difficult period of restructuring," President Barack Obama said.
While Obama continues "ensuring" with our money, of course, necessary restructuring is unnecessarily -- and expensively -- delayed.
Kentucky Tea Party List
I think this is all of them up to the April 15 events. Then comes the one at Applebee's Park in Lexington on April 18.
APRIL 11TH:
City: Richmond, KY
When: April 11, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: 128 Big Hill Ave
Notes: Event at Wallingford Broadcasting, parking across the street
=================
APRIL 15TH:
City: Bowling Green, KY
When: April 15, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: 455 E. Main St.
Notes: Rally at Fountain Square Park and then proceed to the Warren County Justice Center.
————-
City: Elizabethtown, KY
When: April 15, 4:00PM - 6:30PM
Where: Downtown Public Square
Website: http://www.hardincoteaparty.com/home
————-
City: Frankfort, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Capitol Building, Front Steps
————-
City: Lexington, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Fayette County Courthouse
————-
City: Louisville, KY
When: April 15, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Jefferson Square, 6th and Jefferson St.
————-
City: Nicholasville, KY
When: April 15th, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Jessamine County Courthouse
————-
City: Owensboro, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 Noon
Where: City Hall
————-
City: Paducah, KY
When: April 15, 5:30 pm
Where: Dolly McNutt Plaza, between Paducah’s City Hall and the McCracken County Court House
————-
City: Richmond, KY
When: April 15th, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Madison County Courthouse
APRIL 11TH:
City: Richmond, KY
When: April 11, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: 128 Big Hill Ave
Notes: Event at Wallingford Broadcasting, parking across the street
=================
APRIL 15TH:
City: Bowling Green, KY
When: April 15, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: 455 E. Main St.
Notes: Rally at Fountain Square Park and then proceed to the Warren County Justice Center.
————-
City: Elizabethtown, KY
When: April 15, 4:00PM - 6:30PM
Where: Downtown Public Square
Website: http://www.hardincoteaparty.com/home
————-
City: Frankfort, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Capitol Building, Front Steps
————-
City: Lexington, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Fayette County Courthouse
————-
City: Louisville, KY
When: April 15, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Jefferson Square, 6th and Jefferson St.
————-
City: Nicholasville, KY
When: April 15th, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Jessamine County Courthouse
————-
City: Owensboro, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 Noon
Where: City Hall
————-
City: Paducah, KY
When: April 15, 5:30 pm
Where: Dolly McNutt Plaza, between Paducah’s City Hall and the McCracken County Court House
————-
City: Richmond, KY
When: April 15th, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Madison County Courthouse
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Replacing Hebert with everyone
Louisville's WHAS investigative reporter Mark Hebert, widely regarded as one of the best at digging up official secrets, is leaving his reporting job next month to go to work for University of Louisville.
In a comment on the PageOneKentucky blog, Lexington Herald Leader reporter John Cheves praised Hebert:
Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. If the media folks who are left got together and forced state government to put spending and contracts on the internet for everyone to see, citizens would be safer from the crooks.
In a comment on the PageOneKentucky blog, Lexington Herald Leader reporter John Cheves praised Hebert:
"So now we have one less watchdog keeping an eye on the Kentucky statehouse. Bad news for the citizens, good news for the crooks."
Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. If the media folks who are left got together and forced state government to put spending and contracts on the internet for everyone to see, citizens would be safer from the crooks.
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