Archive for April, 2009

Grayson forms exploratory committee for possible Senate bid

Secretary of State Trey Grayson has formed an exploratory committee for a possible run in 2010 for the U.S. Senate seat now held by fellow Republican Jim Bunning, adding a new wrinkle to the closely-watched race and fueling speculation about Bunning’s future.

Beshear says budget shortfall could top $1 billion

FRANKFORT — Kentucky is bracing for what may be the largest shortfall ever in its state budget — more than $1 billion.

Gov. Steve Beshear said Thursday that a special legislative session is likely to address the dismal financial scene that comes on top of this year’s law-making session that raised taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and made about $150 million in cuts to handle nearly a half-billion budget shortfall.

Our new digs

After more than two decades in the old Civil War barracks on Shelby Street, the Lexington Herald-Leader’s Frankfort bureau moved this week to another historic building: the state Capitol.

We’re now located in Room 227 of the Capitol on press row. The move means veteran Frankfort reporter Jack Brammer now works in the exact spot he did in 1978, when he was hired by the Lexington Leader.

The mailing address is Lexington Herald-Leader, 700 Capitol Avenue, Rm. 227, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Our phone numbers have also recently changed. You can reach State Government Reporter Jack Brammer at 502-227-1198 or jbrammer@herald-leader.com and Social Services Reporter Beth Musgrave at 502-875-3793 or bmusgrave@herald-leader.com.

Stop by and see them when you’re in the Capitol, but make sure you bring a good story tip with you.

- John Stamper

Covington commissioner pleads guilty

COVINGTON — Covington City Commissioner Steven Megerle pleaded guilty to two election related charges Wednesday but will not serve any jail time.

Megerle pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate campaign finance restrictions and one count of conspiracy to fail to identify campaign contributors and advertisers, according to Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway. Megerle paid a $500 fine and was sentenced to 12 months in jail but the sentence was probated for one year.

Judge rules bid-tampering case should have two trials

FRANKFORT — A federal judge says a state bid tampering case should be separated into two trials.

U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves ruled Monday that the first part of a case against road contractor Leonard Lawson, former Transportation Secretary William Nighbert and Lawson employee Brian Billings should only involve the conspiracy and bribery counts against Lawson and Nighbert. That trial is scheduled for June 23.

McConnell gave $10,000 to Specter, none to Bunning

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell may be fuming at Sen. Arlen Specter now, but a month ago, he was cutting him a $10,000 check.

McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, gave $10,000 to Specter’s 2010 re-election campaign on March 11 through his leadership political action committee, the Bluegrass Committee.

Specter’s switch a setback for McConnell

WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter’s announcement Tuesday that he is switching to the Democratic Party will likely rob Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of his strongest tool — the filibuster.

Over the years, McConnell has effectively killed hundreds of measures by filibustering — blocking legislation by defeating efforts to cut off debate. In the process, the Kentucky senator earned a reputation as a shrewd tactician and a strong political force.

McConnell’s career subject of new book

LOUISVILLE — In his 1990 race for re-election to the U.S. Senate against Democrat Harvey Sloane, Republican Mitch McConnell encountered a Fraternal Order of Police member in Jefferson County who told the senator he didn’t like either candidate. “You ought to be happy,” said McConnell, “because in this election you’re gonna get rid of one of those son-of-a-b——.”

McConnell picked up the FOP endorsement and stayed in the U.S. Senate, where he now is the Senate minority leader and the longest-serving U.S. senator in Kentucky history. A new book by Louisville lawyer John David Dyche spells out the sometimes improbable story of how McCon nell has become Washington’s most powerful Republican.

Newberry to appear on CNN Saturday

Mayor Jim Newberry is scheduled to appear in a live interview on CNN at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to talk about the state of Lexington’s economy, federal stimulus funds and the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s administration.

Newberry was last on CNN in February to discuss the stimulus.

His spokeswoman, Susan Straub, said Newberry adds a voice not always heard on national TV, representing a mid-size city in the middle of the country. Newberry is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

- Beverly Fortune

Beshear touts revamped Derby breakfast

Gov. Steve Beshear promotes a scaled-down version of the Governor’s Derby breakfast in his weekly video address.

- John Stamper