http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com Covering Kentucky politics and government Tue, 22 May 2012 21:44:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/03/13/three-women-inducted-into-capitol-exhibit/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/03/13/three-women-inducted-into-capitol-exhibit/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:21:01 +0000 Jack Brammer http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=21141 Steve Beshear joined the Kentucky Commission on Women Tuesday to honor three women for their careers and contributions to the state. Willa Beatrice Brown, Crit Luallen and Joan Riehm were inducted into the “Kentucky Women Remembered” exhibit. As part of the honor, their portraits will be displayed alongside past inductees in the state Capitol. ]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/03/13/three-women-inducted-into-capitol-exhibit/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/28/20751/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/28/20751/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:45:20 +0000 Jack Brammer http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20751 Mike Hancock announced Tuesday that Cindy James, who has worked in the offices of state auditor and attorney general, will become acting inspector general. The position became open with the recent firing of David Ray for no specified reason. James also will be a special assistant to Hancock. ]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/28/20751/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/10/10/feds-subpoena-current-and-former-kentucky-retirement-systems-execs/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/10/10/feds-subpoena-current-and-former-kentucky-retirement-systems-execs/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:09:30 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=19208 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/10/10/feds-subpoena-current-and-former-kentucky-retirement-systems-execs/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/08/08/auditor-luallen-says-no-plans-yet-for-life-after-office/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/08/08/auditor-luallen-says-no-plans-yet-for-life-after-office/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:18:17 +0000 Beth Musgrave http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=18684 By Beth Musgrave bmusgrave@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT -- State Auditor Crit Luallen raised eyebrows Saturday when she said at the annual Fancy Farm picnic that she has no plans to exit public service even though she is leaving state office at the end of the year. The two-term auditor, who has built a reputation as a tough watchdog, has been frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for some of the state's top elected offices. But Luallen said Monday she has not made a decision about what she will do after leaving office. Luallen can not seek a third term as auditor. "This is not a situation that I have a secret plan that I’m keeping confidential," Luallen said in an interview Monday. ]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/08/08/auditor-luallen-says-no-plans-yet-for-life-after-office/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/07/06/fancy-farm-schedules-speakers-for-annual-political-picnic/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/07/06/fancy-farm-schedules-speakers-for-annual-political-picnic/#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:47:35 +0000 Jack Brammer http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=18316 By Jack Brammer - jbrammer@herald-leader.com Candidates for governor, U.S. senators and a “farewell” speech by Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo will highlight this year’s Fancy Farm picnic, which traditionally kicks off the fall campaigns in Kentucky. Mark Wilson, political chairman for the 131st annual picnic on Aug. 6 at St. Jerome Catholic Church in the small Western Kentucky community of Fancy Farm, released information Wednesday about the picnic’s political speaking program. Wilson said Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and Republican Senate President David Williams have confirmed they will speak at the picnic about their campaigns for governor. Wilson also said Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, who is running for governor as an independent, will be invited to speak if his required candidacy papers have been formalized.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/07/06/fancy-farm-schedules-speakers-for-annual-political-picnic/feed/ 7 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/06/29/lawmaker-pledges-to-push-again-for-reforms-in-state-pension-system/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/06/29/lawmaker-pledges-to-push-again-for-reforms-in-state-pension-system/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:35:48 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=18281 By John Cheves - jcheves@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — A key lawmaker on Wednesday said he will revive his efforts to ban well-connected middlemen known as “placement agents” from doing business with the Kentucky Retirement Systems, following a new state audit that raised concerns about the agents. State Auditor Crit Luallen presented her audit of the state pension agency to the legislature’s interim joint committee on state government. Luallen said she identified no misuse of KRS money related to placement agents, who help private investment companies sell their products. But one agent in particular, Glen Sergeon of New York, enjoyed close access to KRS and made nearly $6 million in fees through his relationship with Adam Tosh, then KRS’ chief investment officer, Luallen said. Tosh resigned in 2010 after being questioned about Sergeon in an internal audit at KRS.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/06/29/lawmaker-pledges-to-push-again-for-reforms-in-state-pension-system/feed/ 1 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/05/24/beshears-office-sought-meetings-for-political-allies-at-pension-agency/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/05/24/beshears-office-sought-meetings-for-political-allies-at-pension-agency/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 23:43:07 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=18043 By John Cheves jcheves@herald-leader.com At least twice in recent years, Gov. Steve Beshear's office called the Kentucky Retirement Systems to suggest meetings with two of the governor's Democratic political supporters who were working on behalf of private investment companies. The supporters were Mark Guilfoyle, a Northern Kentucky lawyer and lobbyist who helped lead Beshear's 2007 transition team, and Jill Daschle, wife of the then-executive director of the Democratic Governors Association and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. Guilfoyle worked with Fort Washington Investment Advisors, based in Cincinnati, although he said in an interview that he was not paid. Daschle is managing director of investor relations at EnTrust Capital, based in New York. The companies wanted to manage part of the multi-billion-dollar pension fund for state and county government retirees, said Mike Burnside, KRS executive director until he was fired last month. Both companies were given meetings, although neither won a contract with KRS, Burnside said. "The only reason I took the meeting (with Guilfoyle) is that I was called by the governor's office and asked to meet with Guilfoyle and his client," Burnside said. "I received a similar request from an aide to the governor to meet with Jill Daschle, (who) had a client trying to do business with KRS as well."]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/05/24/beshears-office-sought-meetings-for-political-allies-at-pension-agency/feed/ 8 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/28/department-of-insurance-asks-passport-to-tighten-reporting-conflicts-of-interest/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/28/department-of-insurance-asks-passport-to-tighten-reporting-conflicts-of-interest/#comments Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:38:50 +0000 Beth Musgrave http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=17782 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/28/department-of-insurance-asks-passport-to-tighten-reporting-conflicts-of-interest/feed/ 12 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/26/luallen-questions-fish-and-wildlife-contract-for-luxury-suite-at-louisville-bats-games/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/26/luallen-questions-fish-and-wildlife-contract-for-luxury-suite-at-louisville-bats-games/#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:08:52 +0000 Jack Brammer http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=17760 By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT – State Auditor Crit Luallen is questioning $3,900 the state Department of Fish and Wildlife paid the Louisville Bats minor league baseball organization to promote the agency. A $3,400 contract the department had in 2010 with the Bats called for four “sponsor nights” at the Louisville ballpark. It provided discounted admissions to four games for owners of hunting and fishing licenses and the use of a 22-person luxury suite for two games, not including food and beverage. The department also paid $500 to use the luxury suite an additional two nights but used it for only one of the two optional nights for a total of three nights, said Luallen spokesman Terry Sebastian. Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Mark Marraccini said the agency stands by the expense. The agency's partnership with the baseball team directly ties to the department’s mission to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in the state and provide opportunities for hunters, fishers and boaters, Marraccini said.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/26/luallen-questions-fish-and-wildlife-contract-for-luxury-suite-at-louisville-bats-games/feed/ 18 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/20/state-auditor-criticizes-board-that-oversees-for-profit-education/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/20/state-auditor-criticizes-board-that-oversees-for-profit-education/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:08:51 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=17685 By Cheryl Truman ctruman@herald-leader.com The board that regulates the state's 122 for-profit colleges provides inadequate oversight, hasn't had an outside financial audit in 10 years and lacks a clear understanding of its role, according to an audit released Wednesday by State Auditor Crit Luallen. The Kentucky State Board for Proprietary Education oversees the burgeoning field of for-profit colleges that enroll more than 19,000 students each year and specialize in educating them for specific careers. The institutions are known for their bold recruiting, including TV commercials featuring people who have gone from unemployment to middle-class lifestyles after completing career training with the colleges. "Board leadership is fundamental in establishing the tone for its operations," Luallen said. "When the leadership is lax and inconsistent, then the quality of the board's oversight is diminished. It's essential for the board to carry out its statutory duty to monitor these schools." The board is dominated by the same people who run the colleges. Six of its 11 seats are filled by representatives of the colleges themselves. The members of the board are appointed by the governor.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2011/04/20/state-auditor-criticizes-board-that-oversees-for-profit-education/feed/ 13