All Politics are Local

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is praising the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as an icon of conservatism during the end of the Cold War period. The 'Iron Lady' died at age 87 on Monday and is being remembered by many as a part of a triumvirate—along with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II—who stood against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Thatcher's reign is considered a controversial and successful tenure, which also brought Anlgo-American relations closer.

With action by the governor on every bill passed in the 2013 session, some of the more interesting new laws are starting to stick out. There are always a few bills that get lobbyists and lawmakers rolling their eyes, and this year is no different.

Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed a bill sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would require prompt payment in the Medicaid managed care system.  The governor was expected to veto the bill, claiming it would cost the state too much money.

Governor Steve Beshear is allowing a bill regulating hemp in Kentucky to become law without his signature. Supporters of Senate Bill 50 were concerned that the governor might veto the bill after continuing expressing concerns law enforcement had with the bill that it would allow increased marijuana growing.

Governor Steve Beshear has signed bills allowing alcohol sales on election day, reforming the state's pension system and finding revenue to pay for the reforms.The governor signed the bills today, two days before his deadline to do so.

Republican Senator Rand Paul will speak at one of the country’s oldest historically black colleges as he seeks to reach out to African-American voters, and some Louisville leaders say that's a good sign. Paul is scheduled to address students at Howard University in Washington, D.C. next Wednesday where Kentucky's junior senator is expected to talk about school choice and changing federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

Kentucky Democrats are bringing in a well-connected out-of-state politician  to headline their annual state dinner.  State Democrats aim for high-profile names to headline their annual Wendell Ford Dinner—this year they've booked Beau Biden, the Delaware Attorney General and the son of Vice President Joe Biden.

Two national polls released this week show Kentucky Senator Rand Paul neck and neck with many other potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates. Both Quinnipiac and Public Policy Polling released surveys Wednesday showing Paul in second or third place in the early GOP primary field. Paul clocks in at 15 percent in the Quinnipiac poll, behind former vice presidential nominee and Congressman Paul Ryan at 17 percent, and fellow Republican Senator Marco Rubio at 19 percent. 

A bill designed to help doctors, hospitals and other medical providers receive prompt payments from the state's Medicaid managed care companies awaits Gov. Steve Beshear's signature or veto. Despite passing both the state House and Senate unanimously and having the support of the medical community, Beshear has left open the possibility he may veto House Bill 5 because of concerns that it could cost too much to implement.

Former Kentucky treasurer Jonathan Miller is blaming fellow state Democrats for helping push actress Ashley Judd out of the upcoming U.S. Senate race. Judd announced last week she is declining to run against Republican Mitch McConnell in 2014, citing a need to focus on family. The speculation on other reasons why Judd isn't making a bid are plentiful, but supporters are speaking up.

Many of the bills Kentucky lawmakers passed in the final hours of this year's legislative session are still awaiting action by Governor Steve Beshear. Beshear has not yet signed or vetoed high-profile bills that would prepare Kentucky to grow industrial hemp, allow alcohol sales on election day and simplify voting for military service members stationed overseas.

With more than a year before the next elections, new political action committee has formed to help Republicans gain control of the Kentucky state House. The PAC—Pro-Jobs, Pro-Kentucky—was formed earlier this month by Scott Jennings, a longtime Kentucky  GOP political operative and Mike Adams, a former political director for the Republican Governor's Association.