Honored lawmaker jokes with former House speaker

Rep. Eddie Ballard, a Madisonville Democrat, had some thoughts about why Rep. Jody Richards might have chosen to file House Joint Resolution 9 honoring Ballard for his work for veterans. 
The resolution passed the House Monday by a vote of 97 to 0, and if approved by the Senate would direct the Kentucky Department of Veterans’ Affairs [...]

Bits and pieces from Wednesday night

Here are a couple of quick observations and notes about Gov. Steve Beshear’s address Wednesday night -

By my count, the audience broke out in applause 15 times during Beshear’s speech which ran just under 33 minutes. 
After the speech, Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican, paid tribute to former House Speaker Jody Richards, a Bowling Green Democrat, for [...]

Stumbo sworn in, says gambling bill is “a very high priority”

Rep.  Greg Stumbo was sworn as the new speaker of the House this morning after outgoing speaker Rep. Jody Richards resumed his seat among his fellow lawmakers in the chamber. 
Stumbo, a Prestonsburg Democrat, delivered a 7-minute speech to the body praising the work of former House speakers, including former Speaker Don Blandford of Philpot and [...]

Stumbo wins speaker’s race

Just a year after returning to the General Assembly, Rep. Greg Stumbo was elected speaker of the House by the Democratic Caucus Tuesday, unseating Rep. Jody Richards, who has held the post longer than anyone. 
Stumbo reportedly topped Richards by three votes among his Democratic colleagues, and with Republicans in the House expected to go along [...]

Session begins, leadership races take top billing

With the bang of gavels at either end of the state Capitol in Frankfort Tuesday, the 2009 session of the Kentucky General Assembly got under way at noon. 
Even before the official start of the session, most of the talk around the Capitol grounds centered on the leadership races in the House, which should be decided [...]

All eyes on House leadership races

Although the state’s $456.1 million budget shortfall will likely dominate the 2009 session of the Kentucky General Assembly that begins Tuesday, all eyes for now are on the leadership races in the House. 
At the top of the ticket is the race for speaker, with Jody Richards of Bowling Green facing a challenge from Greg Stumbo, [...]

Senate president responds to governor’s plan

Senate President David Williams issued the following statement after the governor’s press conference this morning about his plan to address the state’s budget shortfall. 
“As of this date, we have only received a press release setting out any detail of the Governor’s proposal.  We look forward to viewing the proposed legislation as we continue our commitment to working [...]

Choosing sides in House leadership races

While many Americans look toward Election Day on Nov. 4 as the airwaves fill with ads and candidates refine their stump speeches, another election coming next year has many in Kentucky politics just as interested.
Following a legislative session this spring that left many lawmakers frustrated, the leadership elections in the Kentucky House next January promise [...]

Debate over LRC director’s raise continues

Ryan Alessi with the Herald-Leader offers the latest in the debate between House Speaker Jody Richards and Senate President David Williams over a recently approved raise for Legislative Research Commission director Bobby Sherman. 
The 47 percent raise recently approved by legislative leaders would put Sherman’s salary at close to $200,000. 
Williams has argued that the raise was [...]

Richards, Yonts pre-file bill to reverse LRC director’s pay raise

PolWatchers is reporting that House Speaker Jody Richards of Bowling Green has pre-filed a bill with Rep. Brent Yonts of Greenville to reverse a 47 precent pay raise for Legislative Research Commission Director Bobby Sherman. 
A majority of legislative leaders voted in a closed-door meeting this week for the increase that would boost Sherman’s pay from $132,840 [...]