Frankfort Haiku

Medicaid big hole,
Frankfort talk and talk and talk;
In end, nothing change.

The 2011 General Assembly ended with parliamentary jujitsu, as the House pulled a fast one on the Senate by approving the Senate budget (thus eliminating the need for conference) and sending it on to the Gov, where he can line-item-veto everything he doesn't like with no fear that the House will vote to override. Where does that leave us? Right where we started.

We have a big Medicaid deficit. The Gov proposed borrowing from next year's budget, with "promises" to pay the money back through cost-savings. (If you can achieve that much in cost savings, why not do it now?) David Williams, never one to let a crisis go to waste if he can use it to score political points, led the Senate to cut everything in sight in response. (David keeps a copy of Shock Doctrine on his bed-side stand.)

Now, with this latest maneuver, the Gov gets to borrow his money, veto the spending cuts, and promise to pay them back later. Williams gets to say he tried, the House gets to say they saved the day, and everyone gets to go home. And we, dear citizens, get stuck with a budget crisis that's just delayed, not actually dealt with.

Optometrists Organization Suffers From Bad Optics

My boss has an alternative meaning for the word "optics." Instead of referring to the science of light, she uses it to mean "how things look to others." Apparently, the Kentucky Optometric Association is optically challenged.

It was bad enough that the Association threw $400,000 at lawmakers in order to get their "Make Me a Doctor" bill greased through the General Assembly. Now, they're actually hosting a reception to buy more votes thank the legislators for their prompt attention to this important issue facing our state.

Is it legal? Yep, every bit of it, apparently. Still, it is just another example of the cynical, money-driven pit our state government has fallen into. The KOA paid the money and got lots of money in their pockets in return. What's a few Benedictine sandwiches between friends?

So, the next question is: Which of the legislators also suffer from bad optics and Scratch My Back Syndrome, and which ones actually have some ethical vision left? Might be interesting to stand outside the reception and see who is cynical enough to attend.

Fixing Kentucky's Tax System

If you were listing characteristics of a well-designed tax system, what would you include? In today's Courier-Journal, Rep. Jim Wayne gives his list, and I think it's a good starting point:

Fairness. The tax code should promote justice, with every Kentuckian paying their fair share, including the wealthiest.

Adequacy. The revenue stream should be stable enough to support schools, social services, prisons, law enforcement, environmental protection and other programs and services people depend on.

Elasticity. Revenue should grow as the economy changes. If a certain section of our economy is expanding, as our service-based sector is, tax revenues should reflect that.

Simplicity. The system shouldn't be too complicated to understand. Taxes should be as low as possible — with everyone paying their fair share — and the tax base should be broad.

I've been yelling for months about the lack of leadership in Frankfort. Why? Because all the people in Frankfort know that our tax system fails ALL of these tests, and has for years -- and yet they have done nothing.

Here's what the cowardice in Frankfort has gotten us:

Click to read more ...

When "Common Sense" Doesn't Equal Great Legislation

Ever heard this line about some bill or another? "It's just common sense -- why can't these idiots in (Washington / Frankfort / Metro Council / the PTA board) see that?"

I bet you've not only heard it, you've probably said it. Me too. But here's the problem: ideas that seem so easy, so common-sense when said to a friend, sometimes become very difficult to write into a good law.

From Jake over at Page One, here's the latest example -- an example that the Family Foundation says is "just common sense":

Strippers should have at least something on.

Make the jump to learn why legislating pasties is a bad idea.

Click to read more ...

Your Legislators At Work: the 21st Century Bill of Idiots

Saw this on PageOne, and couldn't believe it. "House Bill 253 -- A 21st Century Bill of Rights." Clicked the link to see if it was a joke, and guess what: it's a real, filed, this-could-actually-become-law bill.

Here's what these idiot legislators are proposing:

Click to read more ...

Greg Stumbo Comes To His Senses

Greg Stumbo has apparently come to his senses. Or at least, to someone's senses. Whatever the case, I'm just glad the introduction worked.

The House Speaker has stopped movement on his Government Accountability Watchdog Division (GAWD for short) after numerous groups, individuals, and institutions said, in effect, "Have you lost your effing mind?!"

Click to read more ...

Some Things To Do This Weekend

Interesting inbox today -- I subscribe to a number of email alerts (like, a LOT), so I have to pick and choose which things I pay attention to. Well, today I got a bunch of things worth my attention, and they're worth your attention too. Make the jump -- I've got you a short but worthy to-do list for your weekend:

Click to read more ...

Anti-Gay-Adoption Ordinance Proposed

Not a surprise, but certainly a disappointment. Gary Tapp proposes in Senate Bill 68 that any "applicant who is cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage that is legally valid in Kentucky" be prohibited from adopting, providing foster care, or even caring for a child that's a relative. Obviously aimed at gays. Hope it dies quickly.

(Hat tip to Jake at Page One Kentucky for putting this out first.)