Five Things to Know Today
How will Beshear’s first term go? Three viewpoints from three analysts
We asked three different political analysts across Kentucky to give their opinion on how Andy Beshear’s first term as governor will go. And, as luck would have it, we got three fairly different viewpoints – one pessimistic, one moderate, and one optimistic. (Forward Kentucky)
Bevin administration leaves out Passport in awarding $8B in Medicaid contracts
In a blow to Passport Health Plan of Louisville, Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration has notified five other health insurance companies they are to be awarded contracts to manage around $8 billion a year in Kentucky’s Medicaid business — effectively cutting Passport out of the work it’s had for more than 20 years. (Forward Kentucky)
Related: Louisville council members speak out about Passport being cut out – In response to the Bevin administration’s decision to cut Passport Health out of the state’s Medicaid contract, both the president of the Louisville Metro Council and a member of that council have released statements condemning the decision. (Forward Kentucky)
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer to co-chair Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer says he is co-chairing Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign because Democrats need a center-left candidate. (Courier-Journal)
Henderson: ‘All walks of labor’ represented on transition team
Ex-state labor secretary Larry Roberts can’t remember a governor-elect who named more union members to a Labor Department transition team than Andy Beshear. (Forward Kentucky)
Hubbard, former Dem, will run for House seat as Repub
Carroll Hubbard, who switched parties in September, announced he is running for the Kentucky House District 1 seat in the 2020 election. (Forward Kentucky)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
News
[new] Sharp drop in coal jobs offsets gains in some fields as Eastern Ky. economy falters – Manufacturing jobs in Eastern KY increased between 2012 and 2017, according to a new report. The news was less encouraging for the overall economy, though. (read)
[new] ‘It was his to lose, and he lost it.’ Ky. lieutenant governor says she didn’t vote for Bevin – Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton says she did not vote for Gov. Bevin for governor in the election earlier this month, instead voting for Libertarian John Hicks. (read)
[new] 🔥 Regulators recommend sweeping changes as some Kentucky water districts falter – State regulators say leges should dramatically overhaul how Kentucky’s water districts are managed and regulated, as some water districts struggle. (read)
[new] 🔥 Kentucky senator says she was telling Trump about vaping. Then the meeting exploded. – A Kentucky state senator says she was taken aback by the lack of decorum shown by vaping industry executives in a White House meeting with President Trump. (read)
[new] 🔥 Yarmuth releases statement on passing of legislative staffer – Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued this statement regarding the passing of his longtime legislative staffer, Marisa Wittebort, who died yesterday at age 35 following a four-year battle with lung cancer. (read)
[new] 🔥 Beshears invite all Kentuckians to free Dec. 10 inaugural events, including two balls – Andy Beshear and wife Britainy are calling Kentucky’s 61st inauguration “a time for all Kentuckians to come together on one team — Team Kentucky.” (read)
‘I can’t stand this!’ KentuckyWired leader points finger at Steve Beshear budget chief – As lawmakers continue their investigation into KentuckyWired, the state’s troubled plan to expand broadband internet to rural residents, the man overseeing the project is pointing the finger of blame at the state’s former budget director, Mary Lassiter. (read)
‘Tug of war’ over KY education. How the battle between Beshear, commissioner is shaping up – It’s a tug of war: Beshear wants a new board of ed and a new commissioner. Current commish Wayne Lewis says he likely couldn’t work with an all-new board. (read)
🔥Kentucky advocates pitch ‘red flag’ law to remove guns from those deemed a threat – Leges learned about “red flag laws” that allow emergency orders to temporarily remove guns from a person deemed an immediate threat to themselves or others. (read)
Commentary
[new] Trump’s fast-food fake out – Don’t be fooled by Trump’s high-brow/low-brow image. It’s a carefully crafted one, meant to impress his supporters – but it’s a fast food fake out. (read)
A thriving community requires a strong safety net – A strong safety net honors the dignity of every Kentuckian, and provides the foundation for thriving as a commonwealth. These 60 organizations agree. (read)
🔥Gov. Matt Bevin’s ‘poor and childish’ legacy gives bipartisanship a window in Kentucky – As Governor-elect Beshear’s transition team measures the drapes, fellow Dems and even Repubs are wondering: could we actually work together? (read)
Krusty the Clown Syndrome – Billionaires are whining about Warren’s wealth tax, as they try to be Sideshow Bob. Don’t be like Krusty the Clown and fall for their Sideshow Bob antics. (read)
Policy
[new] 🔥 KY League of Cities wants to limit access to open records – KLC is proposing changing the law to only allow KY residents to make open records requests. This is a bad idea, and Amye Bensenhaver explains why. (read)
Thankful for SNAP’s role in the Commonwealth – As we give thanks this season, let’s ensure all Kentuckians can put food on the table with the help of one of the best hunger-fighting, poverty-reducing, health-improving tools we have. (read)
Cartoon
Aaron Smith says, Bevin’s gone! – To wrap up his “Bevin’s Misdeeds” series, editorial cartoonist Aaron Smith draws one last Matt Bevin cartoon, with an important truth embedded in the cartoon. (view)
Media
[podcast] An interview with Sam Newton, Beshear comms director – This week’s show features Sam Newton, comms director for the Beshear campaign. Lots of insights and stories from the campaign trail! Meredith Scalos sat in for Jazmin, who was away. Robert and Meredith spoke about Matt Jones opting out of a run for U.S. Senate as well as the Beshear administration’s transition team. Also, discussions include Louisville Metro’s surplus and a report from a committee looking at public assistance in Louisville. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
( 🔥indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Massie is lone No vote on ‘Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act’ (2,000+ shares)
- Pro-impeachment group goes after Mitch McConnell with new TV ad in Kentucky (2,000+ shares)
- ‘Grim Reaper’ asking for civility is akin to pot calling kettle black (1,000+ shares)
- Beshears invite all Kentuckians to free Dec. 10 inaugural events, including two balls (859 shares)
- Under Trump, LGBTQ progress is being reversed in plain sight (460 shares)
- Charles Booker’s launch video got rave reviews. Here it is. (452 shares)
The Forward 5 is published Monday to Friday by Forward Kentucky, an independent media organization focused on progressive news and issues in Kentucky, and is re-posted with permission. You can sign up for the email version of the newsletter on their website.
