Largest “signature” TIF projects still in holding patterns

Last year, one of the top topics of conversation in Owensboro and Daviess County was the proposed Gateway Commons “signature” tax increment financing proposal for an expansive development off of Kentucky 54. 
The Owensboro project fell by the wayside after failing to meet state approval, but even those other “signature” TIF projects that garnered state support [...]

President Bush heading to Ft. Campbell Tuesday

President George W. Bush will dine with soldiers at Kentucky’s Ft. Campbell today along with Gov. Steve Beshear and U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield.
Following the meal, Bush will deliver a speech during a rally at the installation, which straddles the Tennessee border southwest of Hopkinsville. 
Here’s a bit from the Associated Press on the visit - 
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) [...]

Guthrie borrows from Lewis to staff Washington office

Brett Guthrie will be keeping several staff members from his predecessor when he heads to Washington, D.C. next year to represent Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District.
Robyn Minor with the Bowling Green Daily News is reporting that Eric Bergren and Megan Spindel will remain in Washington to work for Guthrie, a Republican state senator from Bowling Green, after [...]

Western KY legislators pre-file bill to fund “mega” transportation projects

Two western Kentucky state senators pre-filed a bill Monday that would establish a statewide transportation authority with the ability to issue bonds and levy tolls on “mega” transportation projects with billion-dollar price tags. 
The bill filed by Sen. Dorsey Ridley, a Henderson Democrat, and Sen. Jerry Rhoads, a Madisonville Democrat, would create an 11-member Kentucky Public Infrastructure [...]

C-J: Bunning not filling coffers for re-election effort

Joe Gerth with the Courier-Journal has a piece today looking at the fundraising efforts of U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, the northern Kentucky Republican whose seat has been a hot topic of conversation for months. 
According to Gerth, Bunning reiterated during an interview last week that he plans to run for re-election in 2010, but only has [...]

Guthrie wraps up week in Washington for orientation

Kentucky’s newest member of the U.S. Congress – Republican Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green – was in Washington D.C. this week along with his 53 fellow freshmen in the U.S. House for orientation. 
The Associated Press managed to catch up with Guthrie for several of its national reports on the new class of congressmen, including Guthrie’s [...]

Anticipated state budget shortfall grows to $450 million

The Consensus Forecasting Group today in Frankfort offered an even gloomier picture of the state’s revenues and predicted a shortfall of $450 million at the end of the fiscal year in June. 
The updated prediction follows one by Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration just last month that saw state expenses outpacing revenues by $294 million by the [...]

Beshear rolls out “Intelligent Energy Choices” plan for the state

Gov. Steve Beshear rolled out what he is calling the “first-ever comprehensive energy plan” for Kentucky on Thursday that concentrates on alternative energy sources, coal conversion technology and reducing greenhouse gases by 20 percent by 2025. 
“Energy and the production of energy is going to be one of the top priorities in the world over the [...]

State clears way for electric cars but ZAP plant plans stall

Kentucky Transportation Secretary Joe Prather signed an administrative order last week setting up guidelines for the registration and titling of “alternative electric vehicles” that would clear the way for cars and trucks like those built by the ZAP company to hit the roads in Kentucky. 
The move followed the high-profile efforts this summer by lawmakers and [...]

Governor to announce new energy policy Thursday

In what is a continuing trend in Kentucky state government of increased attention on energy, Gov. Steve Beshear will roll out a “comprehensive energy plan” Thursday morning during a press conference at the state Capitol in Frankfort. 
No word yet on the details of the plan, which the governor’s office is calling the “first-ever” comprehensive energy [...]