CN|2 Politics

Legislative leaders pledged in their filings in federal court Monday to move forward with new district maps while the Democratic House Speaker also released his suggestion for Republican-controlled Senate districts. The General Assembly leaders had to respond Monday to a federal lawsuit brought by a group of Northern Kentuckians led by Boone County Clerk Kenny Brown. The citizens are trying to push the General Assembly to approve new maps using 2010 Census data as soon as possible so that precinct... Read more 

After Gov. Steve Beshear announced his decision to expand Medicaid in Kentucky on May 9, the group Kentucky Voices for Health ran online ads thanking him. Earlier that week, the super PAC Kentucky Opportunity Coaltion made a six-figure ad buy criticizing Obamacare — the legislation that made that expansion possible. Both groups use the same public relations firm, the relatively new RunSwitch Public Relations firm that officially launched in February and already has become a force in influencing policy... Read more 

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in favor of seed giant Monsanato over an Indiana farmer is expected to have a ripple effect on the future of farming and technological advances in science and medicine. The court unanimously ruled that farmers could not reuse patent-protected genetically modified soybeans to create a secondary line of seeds without paying the corporation. In essence, a patent extends across a self-replicating line of products. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer told Pure Politics his office was reviewing... Read more 

The 21st century can be a non-violent century if everyone in the world can apply the best parts of the U.S. political model and practice compassion in their daily lives, the Dalai Lama told a Louisville audience on Sunday. If the 20th century was the century of violence in which 100 million people were killed in conflicts, then the 21st century can be more peaceful and non-violent, he said. Dubbed an international compassionate city in November of 2011 Louisville embraced the 14th... Read more 

Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said Sunday on Meet the Press with David Gregory that he was wrong earlier in his career to be suspicious of not-for-profit groups with political operations like those targeted by the IRS. And when asked whether or not there was any fact to back up claims that President Obama was leading a “culture of intimidation” especially in light of the IRS scandal, McConnell acknowleged that Congress and the public don’t have all the facts yet. In a... Read more 

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul announced Friday that he promoted William Henderson to be his new chief of staff, replacing Doug Stafford, who moved to Paul’s political operation. Henderson had served as Paul’s deputy chief of staff and legislative director since Paul joined the U.S. Senate in January 2011. Previously, Henderson worked as legislative director for Paul’s predecessor in the Senate, Jim Bunning, for nearly 12 years. “William is an incredible asset to our team and I am excited that he will... Read more 

UPDATED: State Rep. Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg, pre-filed legislation this week which he says is meant to remove a “poker chip” the Senate has used during negotiations over other bills: the confirmation of the state’s insurance commissioner. Bill Request 7 would remove the power the Senate has to confirm the governor’s appointment of the commissioner of Insurance Department and the commissioner of the Department of Workers’ Claims. Both positions require re-appointments every four years. “Last session it was highly rumored the... Read more