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Beshear proposes budget with largest pay increase for teachers in 40 years
Less than one week after being sworn in for his second term, Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled his Forward, Together budget proposal, which prioritizes public education and families by funding the largest single pay raise for public school educators and staff in 40 years, fully funding universal pre-K, and providing support for child care providers.
Breaking: Lt. Gov. Coleman undergoes double mastectomy
(December 18, 2023) In a statement, Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman shared that she had had a successful double mastectomy today. She noted that her family has a significant history of cancer, so she decided to go ahead with the surgery as a preventive measure. In her statement, as...
Trump will attack the unions – just as another authoritarian did
“Authoritarian rhetoric has been central to Trump’s political trajectory – and his time as president,” National Public Radio’s Danielle Kurtzleben recently wrote. She pointed out that Trump likened his political foes to “vermin.” German dictator Adolf Hitler and the Nazis often compared Jews to rats. (At a recent political rally, Trump repeated his claim that immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country,” remarks that prompted MSNBC’s Mehdi Hassan to post on X, “Let’s be clear: migrants ‘poisoning the blood’ is Hitler rhetoric.”)
House advances impeachment as Comer’s own questionable dealings come to light
If Diogenes the Cynic, lamp in hand, enters the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives today looking for an honest man or woman on the Republican side of the aisle, he will be doomed to failure. The lower chamber voted Wednesday to authorize something already well underway – an...
Beshear calls for an amendment on redistricting though passing it would be ‘challenging’
After the Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed redrawn congressional and legislative districts Thursday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear said a constitutional amendment should be pursued but noted it would be “challenging” to pass through the General Assembly. Beshear, a Democrat, said in his weekly press conference Thursday afternoon that he...
Divided Kentucky Supreme Court rules redistricting plans can stay
A sharply divided Kentucky Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that the 2022 legislative and Congressional redistricting plans were not partisan enough to justify throwing them out and requiring new plans to be enacted. The justices delivered an eight-part decision, six of which were adopted on a 4-3...
Friday News & Notes
Longtime Kentucky Senate leader Damon Thayer says he won’t seek reelection in 2024. Damon Thayer, a mainstay in the Kentucky Senate who played a key role in legalizing sports wagering and helped shape rafts of conservative policies, said Wednesday that he won't run for reelection next year. Thayer has spent more than a decade as majority floor leader in the GOP-led Senate, putting him at the forefront of the chamber's activities. He is the longest-serving Republican to serve in that leadership post in Kentucky history, according to a release announcing his decision not to seek another term. (Herald-Leader)
Inauguration Day updates
Robert goes solo today to discuss stories about charter schools in the courts, JCPS busing, and an abortion lawsuit that might be getting underway. Robert is a graduate of UK's Martin School for Public Policy. He works as a data scientist in Louisville, where he lives w/ wife Kelsey and their daughter. (Read the rest on the Contributors page.)
We’re rid of Damon Thayer!
Kimberly, Chris, and Nate cover BIG SHIFTS in the legislature, we look at Andy’s second inauguration, and an important court ruling on a key issue. We then welcome Jeri Stine Hahn, and Jennifer Sumeracki, leaders of Trans Parent Lex to hear about their important advocacy for their kids - at the school district and the state house.
A smorgasbord of inauguration photos
Berry Craig and Bruce Maples of ForwardKY journeyed to Frankfort on Tuesday to cover the inauguration parade and ceremony. Berry was armed with his trusty Nikon, while Bruce only had his trusty cell phone. 📱 Nevertheless, they both came away with some pretty good pix from the day. The parade pictures are here. And below is a selection from the swearing-in for your enjoyment. (If you click any of the photos, you can see a larger version of all of them in a side-to-side gallery.)
Beshear and Coleman inauguration addresses
Good afternoon to everyone gathered here in Frankfort and to all of our Kentucky families watching at home. I am honored to have just taken the oath of office to continue to serve as your Governor. Serving in this role is a special duty, a solemn commitment. It is an obligation I accept with great reverence and humility, but also with great excitement and anticipation. I stand here today enthusiastic and hopeful for all we will accomplish for this commonwealth.
Voices from the Inauguration
As we were waiting for the parade to start, I made my way up Capitol Avenue and interviewed some people along the way. Here’s what people had to say about why they were there, and what they thought of our governor. Why are you here? Well, my son is...
The New York Times has it all wrong on Trump’s VPs
Readers, you’re going to be bombarded in the coming months with column after column of speculative fiction on who Donald Trump will tap as his running mate. Will it be Tucker Carlson? Steve Bannon? Stephen Miller? Or a member of the D-list of Republicans pretending to run for president?
Charter schools ruled unconstitutional in Kentucky
In a decision issued Monday, Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled that the 2022 law funding charter schools in Kentucy was unconstitutional. His reasoning was similar to the ruling issued by the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2021 that struck down tax credits for private schools. Both decisions hinged on the Kentucky Constitution’s language ordering the legislature to fund a “system of common schools.”
Local govt moves, a League of Women Voters study, and a change to the Crime Bill Framework
This week Matt Erwin joins Robert to talk about several items that made news last week, including some moves in local government in Louisville and Covington, a study into the legislature of Kentucky by the League of Women Voters, and a change to the crime bill framework that was proposed by Louisville House Republicans.
It’s almost like they don’t WANT us to know
Doug, Kimberly, and Willie discuss political opportunities and obfuscation in Frankfort, and the need for increased transparency from the state legislature with guest, Janie Lindle with the League of Women Voters of Kentucky. --30--
Londrigan issues warning in his last speech as AFL-CIO president
In his farewell speech at the Kentucky State AFL-CIO’s recent convention in Lexington, outgoing federation president Bill Londrigan echoed The Atlantic’s David A. Graham. “Much of what Trump is discussing is un-American, not merely in the sense of being antithetical to some imagined national set of mores, but in that his ideas contravene basic principles of the Constitution or other bedrock bases of American government,” Graham warned.
Jason Bailey on stuffing money in a mattress
Jason Bailey of the KY Center for Economic Policy explains why our legislators putting even MORE money in the rainy-day fund is a really bad idea – especially when you consider where the money COULD be used. “It’s like putting money in your mattress when your roof is leaking.”...
It is time for a moral reckoning in Kentucky on guns
The day before he killed five people and injured several others, the Old National Bank shooter wrote, “OH MY GOD THIS IS SO EASY. Seriously, I knew it would be doable but this is ridiculous. Walked in and bought a gun, 4 mags, and 120 rounds for $700. Got some glasses and earplugs…”
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