CN|2 Politics

Senate President Robert Stivers said the legislature will vet the cost and effects of Gov. Steve Beshear’s decision to expand Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act — and could undo the governor’s move in the 2014 session. But Stivers, the Manchester Republican who just finished his first session as leader of the upper chamber, said he believes Beshear had the power to make the decision — which Beshear announced May 9 — but shouldn’t have done so without... Read more 

The Director of the National Security Agency, Gen. Keith Alexander, told the U.S. House Intelligence Committee Tuesday that surveillance programs that have recently come under public scrutiny have prevented more than 50 terrorist plots. But a Kentucky national security expert and former FBI analyst said the system still needs reforms, especially when it comes to private contractors who get security clearance to deal with those programs even though they go through less scrutiny than government employees. Max Wise, now a... Read more 

James Kay, the Democratic nominee in the 56th House District special election, took to the television airwaves of the 56th District over the weekend with an ad attacking the background of Republican candidate Lyen Crews. Crews has touted his experience as chief financial officer for hospitals on his campaign website and during events with voters by saying the General Assembly needs an accountant. But Kay’s ad seeks to undermine that. Crews most recently served as chief financial officer for... Read more 

Gov. Steve Beshear is expected to announce this week when he’ll call lawmakers back to Frankfort to redraw state House and Senate district maps. But in order to remain consistent between state legislative and congressional maps, lawmakers might have to redraw those congressional districts that they approved last year. House and Senate leaders met with Gov. Beshear last week and as Pure Politics reported the consensus was to be consistent with the data sets and population numbers used to... Read more 

Elisabeth Jensen, a Lexington Democrat and education advocate, confirmed to Pure Politics that she will run for Congress next year in Central Kentucky’s 6th District for the chance to challenge freshman Republican Congressman Andy Barr. Jensen said in an interview over the weekend that she will hold her first fundraiser July 8, which will be hosted by horse owners Tracy and Carol Farmer. As for the issues, Jensen said issues such as college affordability, equal pay for women, children issues... Read more 

From a bumpy start to their relationship in 2010 to a partnership of “expedience,” Kentucky’s U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul have become Washington’s most interesting odd couple, as a New York Times declared on the front page of Sunday’s paper. The article revisits Paul’s 2010 race in which the two were on opposite sides and the “awkward” unity rally after that primary election. . And it outlines the mutually beneficial nature of their partnership now as Paul eyes... Read more 

Republican leaders reaffirmed their support of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s re-election bid on Saturday as state Senate President Robert Stivers directly confronted any potential primary opponent to McConnell. “If you’re thinking about taking him on in a primary, don’t. You can’t win,” Stivers told the state Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner crowd that included businessman Matt Bevin — who has been entertaining overtures by some tea party groups to take on McConnell – and activist David Adams, who has been... Read more