No one goes broke being a cynic in Frankfort. But these days, one might want to hedge his bets just a bit.
Last week in this space I said I was skeptical of talk of comity and bi-partisanship preceding the 2013 General Assembly. But give credit where credit is due.
New Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, seems intent on making good his promise for a more cooperative tone and honest dialogue between “all interested parties on big issues.”
He’s had some help. Senate Minority Leader R.J. Palmer, D-Winchester, proposed a joint lunch between Senate Republicans and Democrats and their respective staffs. Stivers seized upon the suggestion and the two sides sat down and broke bread together. Stivers allowed Democrats to make their own committee assignments.
The following day, Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, took to the floor to praise Stivers, Senate President Pro Tem Katie Kratz Stine, R-Southgate, and even conceded in his youth he might have voted for John Sherman Cooper, Kentucky’s most revered Republican after Lincoln himself.
Gov. Steve Beshear had lawmakers over to the mansion. He and his staff used to laugh derisively at lawmakers and say they were happiest after legislators left town “so we can get back to governing.” Now he says he’s looking forward to the session for the first time in five years.
Stivers, House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, and lawmakers from both parties on Thursday joined Beshear and presidents of state universities to announce a bi-partisan agreement to allow the schools to bond long needed capital projects.
The bonds will be paid off with university-produced revenue — not direct tax dollars. It’s a process used in other states and one which Kentucky’s university presidents have asked for repeatedly. In the past, Senate Republicans were reluctant to provide that authority, claiming it could adversely affect the state’s debt ratio and bond ratings.
While the purpose of the press conference was to announce the projects and how they’re to be funded, there was lots of talk about bi-partisanship. Even the presidents got in on the love.
Morehead State University President Wayne Andrews said he looks forward to a legislative session “where we can work together for the benefit of Kentucky.” I asked Andrews who or what was responsible for all the good feelings.
He nodded at Stivers who he said has changed the attitude and tone.
Now remember: this is Frankfort and I said a cynic might be wise to hedge his bets. I didn’t suggest he turn in all of his chips just yet.
All these smiling, back-slapping pols have yet to confront the big issues on which Stivers has promised dialogue.
Stivers and Republicans in both chambers want to take on the underfunded state pension system now and head on. Democrats aren’t quite so enthusiastic. Stumbo and Beshear are asking from where the money will come to do it.
While both sides seem in agreement on taxing districts and military voting procedures, those are fairly easy. They’re not in agreement on tax reform, Medicaid, implementation of the Affordable Care Act, or redistricting — or even when to take up the question of re-districting. There remain wide differences on expanded gambling.
House Democrats just went through close and bruising leadership elections. There are wounds to salve and rewards and punishments to hand out. Frankfort is full of people who have one eye on their next re-election campaign and the other on the next political office which they view as a step on the way to becoming governor.
•••
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
Ronnie Ellis
Not convinced bi-partianship here to stay
- Opinion
-
-
There is hypocrisy on both sides
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
I doubt the scandals around Benghazi, the IRS and subpoenas of Associated Press phone -
Elections have consequences
I’m subject to temporary bouts of disillusionment with politics and it’s dangerous to attempt columns in such a mood.
So indulge me and allow me to make some random observations without final political judgments. -
We’d Be Better Off If The Parties Were Still Relevant
A few weeks ago, the Republican National Committee issued a 100-page report aimed at reviving the GOP after its poor showing in last November’s elections. It was remarkably blunt about the specifics of the party’s shortcomings, but it missed one key development: the diminished
-
National Travel and Tourism Week: Lake Cumberland
It’s May and Kentuckians everywhere are celebrating the return of spring and beautiful weather in the Bluegrass State.
Kentucky has much to be proud of, especially when it comes to natural beauty and the -
Derby a break from reality in Kentucky
The state capitol isn’t exactly a ghost town during Derby Week, but it’s close.
The rich and powerful, the office holders and politicians who run Kentucky are all in Louisville, doing backside interviews and attending Derby parties. A lot of my colleagues are also absent, -
Clues as to whether an injured person will blow their money
Gambling takes a front burner in my life during Kentucky Derby week. On top of the normal home state hoopla, I am also speaking to the Society of Settlement Professionals in Las Vegas and an Italian film crew is flying in from Rome to interview me for a documentary about lottery winners.
-
Questions on selenium levels needed to be asked
I was never good at science. So I can’t tell you if there is a scientific basis to support a proposed new standard for selenium levels in water near mining sites.
-
Life Lessons About Money and Happiness
When the body of murdered Florida lotto winner Abraham Shakespeare was found, his mother said that on many occasions Shakespeare said he wished he had torn up the winning ticket.
-
We all must work it out together
This is written while watching on television the Friday morning manhunt for the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings.
My prayers go out to the people of Boston and the victims while my
-
Breaking the Rules to Do Things Right
For nearly 20 years, our leaders decided traditional economic rules didn't apply. It got us into a financial crisis.
Washington and Wall Street rewarded bad behavior instead of giving - More Opinion Headlines
-
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
