by Andrew Wolfson, @adwolfson – Gov. Matt Bevin on Wednesday announced his 10 appointments to the University of Louisville Board of Trustees. Below is the list: J. David Grissom, of Louisville, Ky., for a term expiring June 29, 2022. John H. Schnatter, of Louisville, Ky., for a term expiring June 29, 2021. Sandra Frazier, of Louisville,…
by Ryland Barton – If Gov. Matt Bevin’s proposal to change the state’s Medicaid system is approved, about 86,000 fewer people will be enrolled in the program by July 2021, according to his administration. That will save the state money, as he’s said, but it’s also raising concerns about lost coverage. The plan would require most beneficiaries to…
by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Matt Bevin on Tuesday issued an executive order stripping the state attorney general and auditor of their abilities to nominate candidates to the governor to appoint to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Bevin’s order declares “null and void” part of a 2008 executive order by then-Gov. Steve Beshear…
by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Supreme Court agreed Monday to directly hear the appeal of the case challenging Gov. Matt Bevin’s directive for mid-year cuts to state funding of universities and community colleges. An order signed Monday morning by Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. expedites the hearing of the case,…
by Elizabeth Koh, ekoh@mcclatchy.com – Rep. Thomas Massie thinks it’s time for “amexit.” The Republican congressman from Kentucky renewed his call for America to leave the United Nations Saturday, days after citizens in the United Kingdom narrowly voted to leave the European Union. Massie, referencing the Brexit vote, suggested it might be America’s turn in a post on…
by Jack Brammer, jbrammer@herald-leader.com – FRANKFORT — State lawmakers from across the South will be in Lexington July 9-13 for a conference that will include speeches by University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and the dynamic political duo of Mary Matalin and James Carville. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, who will preside over the conference in wrapping…
by Ryland Barton – The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission has ruled that political candidates are allowed to use crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter to raise money for their own political campaigns. Crowdfunding websites help people raise money for projects or causes in exchange for a cut of the proceeds. In its formal opinion, the commission warned against promoting crowdfunding webpages…
by BETH MUSGRAVE, bmusgrave@herald-leader.com – The board of the Bluegrass Area Development District voted Wednesday to pursue appealing the state’s decision to yank its designation as an area agency on aging. It also voted to pay 40 employees who work in its aging and independent living programs through July. The votes came after the Cabinet for Health…
by Joseph Gerth, @Joe_Gerth – One question asked by Open Range owner Barry Laws was why not allow licensed gun dealers access the government’s stolen gun database. Matt Stone, The Courier-Journal Stymied by Congress on the issue of gun control, the Obama administration plans to push states and local governments to enact expanded background checks and other…
by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Republican Party of Kentucky reports it had $1.5 million in the bank at the end of May while the Kentucky Democratic Party had just $107,000. Reports filed this week by both parties with the Federal Election Commission for the month of May continue to show a shift of support…