Beshear urges pension reform measures to help cities, counties

Gov. Steve Beshear this morning urged changes to the state’s retirement systems to allow cities, counties and school districts up to 10 years to meet contribution requirements for pension benefits for their employees.
The change mirrors one proposed by Rep. Mike Cherry, a Princeton Democrat and chair of the House State Government Committee who pre-filed a [...]

A look at the pre-inauguration Bluegrass Ball

Anne-Marie Kelley, a 1995 grad of Russell High School in eastern Kentucky, is heading preparations for Kentucky’s pre-inauguration Bluegrass Ball in Washington D.C., and reporter Tim Preston with the Ashland Daily Independent caught up with Kelly to see what’s in store for the Jan. 19 affair. 
Kentucky’s is the first ball leading up to President-elect Barack [...]

Beshear to hold press conference on pension reform

Gov. Steve Beshear will be talking about pension reform at a press conference in Frankfort Tuesday. 
While most of the talk about the 2009 legislative session, which begins a week from Tuesday, has centered around the state’s budget shortfall, pension reform and the possibility of building upon measures enacted during this year’s special legislative session will [...]

Legislative leaders on pre-session edition of Kentucky Tonight

Next Monday’s edition of Kentucky Tonight on the eve of the 2009 session of the General Assembly will feature leaders from the House and Senate talking about what lies ahead for the 30-day “short” session. 
Host Bill Goodman will be joined at 7 p.m. CST on KET by - 

Kentucky Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville
Kentucky House [...]

Away for the holidays

I’ll be on vacation through Dec. 29 for the holidays, but will get back to posting when I return.
Have a great holiday season!

Three potential brands for Owensboro unveiled

Three new taglines, one of which could help identify the Owensboro community in coming years, were unveiled Wednesday as a branding initiative by local government and business organizations continues to move forward. 
“It’s looking at what attracts you to the community, what the strengths are and what the needs are,” said Nick Brake, president/CEO of the [...]

Coal-to-natural gas plant planned for Muhlenberg County

ConocoPhillips and Peabody Energy announced today that they will be moving forward with plans for a coal-to-natural gas plant in Muhlenberg County near Central City. 
The news came as the partnership filed for an air permit from the state – a first step in the approval process for the facility which the two companies said would [...]

KY Food with Wine Coalition announces petition drive

The Kentucky Food with Wine Coalition announced Tuesday that more than 100 supermarkets around the state will hold a petition drive to gauge support for allowing them to sell wine. 
Coalition spokesman Luke Schmidt said the results of the petition drive will help their push to allow wine to be sold in supermarkets. Currently, Kentucky is one [...]

Governor names Commission on Philanthropy

Gov. Steve Beshear signed an executive order today creating a state Commission on Philanthropy to help direct charitable efforts in the state .
“State government can’t meet the demand for all the services required by the people of Kentucky, not under the current economic conditions,” Beshear said in a written statement. “We need partners now more [...]

Guthrie to speak at Owensboro City Commission meeting

U.S. Rep.-elect Brett Guthrie will be speaking at the Owensboro City Commission meeting Tuesday night. 
Next month Guthrie, a Bowling Green state senator, will fill the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, the Cecilia Republican who has held the seat for 14 years and is retiring. 
Guthrie, also a Republican, beat fellow state Sen. David [...]