Bluegrass Politics

Two Democrats competing to manage Kentucky’s checkbook

By John Cheves - jcheves@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s state treasurer oversees billions of dollars in spending and collections, but he doesn’t control the money. He hangs onto the state’s checkbook while others decide who gets what.

Aside from issuing roughly 10 million checks and seven million electronic transfers a year, the treasurer sits on several state boards, including those for the Kentucky Lottery and the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System.

Few people notice the treasurer unless he disappears with the treasury, as James “Honest Dick” Tate did in 1888.

Nonetheless, two Democrats are vying for the job in the May 17 primary: incumbent Todd Hollenbach, who is paid $108,720 a year, and Hopkinsville business owner Steve Hamrick.

The winner will face Republican K.C. Crosbie, a Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman, in the fall. Crosbie has no Republican primary opponent.

Seven candidates vying for commissioner of agriculture

By Beth Musgrave - bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Although the number of farms in Kentucky has dropped over the past 10 years, Kentucky farm sales are expected to top $4.7 billion this year — just shy of the $4.8 billion record set in 2008.

Seven men — five Democrats and two Republicans — are vying for the state’s top agricultural position on May 17 with hopes of seeing Kentucky’s agricultural economy grow even faster.

Richie Farmer, who has been commissioner of agriculture since 2003, can not seek a third term and is running on a ticket with Senate President David Williams in the Republican primary for governor and lieutenant governor.

B.D. Wilson, a former Montgomery County Judge Executive and former commissioner in the Transportation Cabinet, leads a crowded field of Democrats with the most money — more than $144,000, according to his latest campaign finance report. Much of that money has come from county officials and contractors. Wilson has about $28,000 on hand going into the May 17 primary.

In the Republican race, state Rep. Jamie Comer of Tompkinsville has out-raised Shelby County Judge Executive Rob Rothenburger nearly six to one. Comer’s 15-day pre-election report shows he has raised $200,000 compared to Rothenberger’s $33,945.

May 17 primary turnout could be lowest since 1999

By Beth Musgrave
bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Voter turnout for the May 17 primary is predicted to be one of the lowest in recent history with less than 10 percent of the state’s 2.9 million registered voters expected to cast a ballot.

Secretary of State Elaine Walker said at a news conference on Tuesday that requests for absentee ballots have been down, a key indicator of voter interest. Walker said her office has predicted voter turnout to be between 9 and 10 percent.

Turnout hasn’t been that low since 1999, when only 6.4 percent of voters turned out to cast a ballot in a handful of contested primary races.

“I hope I’m proven wrong,” Walker said. “I think that people have a tendency to believe that a primary is not very important.”

Sen. Julie Denton apologizes for missing ethics sessions

By John Cheves - jcheves@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — State Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, tearfully apologized Tuesday as the Legislative Ethics Commission criticized her for skipping most of the ethics training required of legislators in the past four years.

The commission took no formal disciplinary action. But its chairman, George Troutman, told Denton that he was displeased she missed six of the last eight mandatory ethics sessions and then told the Herald-Leader in March that other legislators don’t take the sessions seriously, sometimes signing in and then immediately leaving.

“There’s been a certain arrogance about this whole issue,” Troutman told Denton at the commission’s meeting Tuesday. “There’s been nobody out there with the delinquency that you have had.”

Denton said she later listened to recordings of sessions that she missed. But Troutman said listening to recordings is acceptable only for occasional absences, such as those required by a family emergency, and it shouldn’t be done routinely.

State revenues increase 7.9 percent in April

By Beth Musgrave
bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — State General Fund revenues were up 7.9 percent in April compared to the same month last year, an increase of $62.1 million, according to the state budget office.

Total revenues were $844.2 million compared to $782 million of April 2010, putting the state on track to have a $64.6 million surplus at the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

State Budget Director Mary Lassiter said any surplus will go toward unbudgeted “necessary government expenses” — such as storm clean up in Western Kentucky.

But April’s receipts, coupled with increased revenues over the last three quarters, show Kentucky’s economy appears to be rebounding after nearly three years of declines, Lassiter said.

“We are seeing improvement in the major taxes,” she said.

Road Fund receipts also were up in April by 7.6 percent compared to the previous year.

Sparks fly at Kentucky Republican gubernatorial debate

By John Cheves | jcheves@herald-leader.com

Sparks flew several times on Kentucky Educational Television’s Kentucky Tonight on Monday as the three Republican candidates for governor debated how far state government should reach on certain issues, such as drug abuse and education.

The three are competing for the chance to run against incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear in November.

Kentucky Senate President David Williams, generally considered the frontrunner in the May 17 GOP primary, praised his opponents for offering themselves for public service. Williams pledged to support whoever wins the nomination.

However, Williams also jabbed at Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, leading the two men to argue and talk over each other during parts of the live program.

Williams-Farmer ticket raises nearly $77,000 in April, Beshear raises $222,000

By Beth Musgrave
bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Senate President David Williams and running mate Richie Farmer raised nearly $77,000 during the latest reporting period and have banked more than $1.2 million so far in the Republican primary race for governor.

According to the latest campaign finance reports, Williams and Farmer raised $76,934 from April 16 to May 2 and have $206,511 going into the May 17 primary. Williams and Farmer appear to be the favorites in the Republican race, leading in fund-raising and in the latest polls.

Bobbie Holsclaw, the Jefferson County Clerk, and her running mate Bill Vermillion Jr., a Navy veteran, reported raising $3,925 from April 16 to May 2. They have raised $26,669 so far and have about $12,647 of cash on hand, according to the report.

Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and running mate Rep. Mike Harmon have not yet filed their 15-day pre-election report. The reports are due Monday.

Democrat Gov. Steve Beshear is running unopposed in the May 17 primary.

Beshear: State workers will have 6th furlough day despite budget surplus

FRANKFORT – Gov. Steve Beshear said Saturday his administration will implement the sixth planned furlough day for most executive branch employees even thought the state budget is expected to end the fiscal year June 30 with a surplus of almost $70 million.

“We will have the sixth furlough day this year,” Beshear told reporters Saturday at the Governor’s Derby Breakfast in downtown Frankfort.

He said he will look at the state’s revenue picture for the next fiscal year, that begins July 1, to determine whether there will be furloughs next year.

Beshear has said the furloughs will save $24 million a year and avoid laying off about 400 state employees.

–Jack Brammer

Politics, new location highlight Governor’s Derby Breakfast

By Jack Brammer
jbrammer@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT –Politics and the new downtown location were the top topics of conversation Saturday at the 75th anniversary of the Governor’s Derby Breakfast.

Opinions were mixed on both.

For the first time since 2002 and 2003, the breakfast that Gov. A.B. “Happy” Chandler started as a private get-together for a few friends and turned into a public spectacle with 10,000 to 15,000 in attendance a few years ago was held in downtown Frankfort, mostly on Broadway and St. Clair Mall.

That caused a fair amount of grumbling for folks who longed for the breakfast that for decades had been held on the Capitol grounds with a free morning meal. It was hard to get a count of Saturday’s crowd but observers described it as “more sparse than usual.”

GOP auditor candidates: one in bankruptcy, other was unable to work

By John Cheves
jcheves@herald-leader.com

Kentucky Republicans have two choices in their May 17 primary for the state’s elected Auditor of Public Accounts, but both come with baggage.

State Rep. Addia Wuchner of Florence last year settled a lawsuit against her insurance company in which she claimed to be “permanently and totally disabled” and unable to work more than 15 hours a week because of a car crash that seriously injured her knees, shoulders and back. Wuchner now says she’s capable of working full-time as auditor.

Lexington developer John T. Kemper III, whose campaign slogan is “A Debt-Free Kentucky,” may soon lose his home in a foreclosure auction related to his personal bankruptcy. Kemper used $124 from his campaign fund to pay his vehicle tax in February.

The winning Republican will face Democrat Adam Edelen, former chief of staff to Gov. Steve Beshear, in November. Edelen has no primary opponent.

The current auditor, Crit Luallen, a Democrat, is finishing her second term, the limit allowed by law. Voters have elected state auditors since 1850 to monitor how public money is spent and how public agencies function. Some of Luallen’s high-profile audits have led to criminal convictions.