Stivers, Stumbo resume budget talks

by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – Ky. Senate Pres. Robert Stivers said “I will not budge,” in regard to April 12 date scheduled for budget adjournment. Stivers cited high job loss in his native eastern Kentucky and House of Reps previous spending, as contention points. Alton Strupp/The Courier-Journal FRANKFORT, Ky. – House and Senate leaders resumed face-to-face talks…

Faculty group wants open meeting on Ramsey

by Andrew Wolfson, @adwolfson – The Louisville chapter of the American Association of University Professors says the University of Louisville’s Faculty Senate should meet in a public session Wednesday when it discusses a proposed no-confidence vote on President James Ramsey by the Board of Trustees. The association, whose mission includes upholding principles of academic freedom and shared governance,…

Sen. Neal pitches experience and influence against former aide, retired judge in primary debate

by Kevin Wheatley, @KWheatley_cn2 – LOUISVILLE — With two Democratic challengers nipping at his heels, state Senate Minority Caucus Chairman Gerald Neal appealed to more than 75 assembled in the basement of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday that his experience in the General Assembly should earn him another term. Neal fended off spirited remarks from former legislative…

Bevin inaugural committee has $500K in bank

Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Matt Bevin’s inaugural committee paid $52,251 in leftover expenses during the first three months of 2016 including a $6,812 payment for bells to a Bevin company, Bevin Bros. Manufacturing, of East Hampton, Conn. But Kelly Knight, who co-chairs the committee, said the committee bought the bells at cost and…