Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! Hope you are safe at home and doing as well as can be expected. That would be what Governor Beshear would want; in his update yesterday, he said that other than going to work or getting groceries, we should all be Healthy at Home.
He also shared about an incident in Hopkins County where a church went ahead and held a revival, despite warnings about large gatherings. Now there are multiple cases in that county, and two deaths. A cautionary tale, indeed.
The General Assembly met yesterday to pass a budget, and we’ve got the details on the site. In contrast, though, to their earlier meetings where they carried on business as usual, this time they used a number of innovative techniques (including voting from their cars!) to get the job done as quickly as possible, and then they left.
If you need a light moment, check out the “Sign of the Times” I posted in the PubBlog yesterday.
And finally, in the midst of this crisis, we also need to remember to complete the census. I did it recently for our household, and it took about ten minutes at an online site. If you haven’t completed yours, do it ASAP. It directly affects numerous things, including how much money our local and state government receive for various programs.
Take care of yourself. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear emphasizes staying at home, says revival was a site of spread – 4/1 update
The Wednesday update from Gov. Beshear includes modeling data for Kentucky, updates on unemployment, and a cautionary note on a revival causing infections. The infection modeling is from the White House, and Beshear said he thought it was actually too optimistic. There’s much more in the story, so click through and read it. (Forward Kentucky)
KYGA passes “austere” one-year budget
Using social distancing and never-done-before voting methods, the KY General Assembly passed a budget on Wednesday that is being described as “bare bones” and “austere.” We’ve got the details of what was kept and what was cut. (Forward Kentucky)
Related: Legislators take extraordinary measures to meet, vote. – The KY General Assembly reconvened today in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, using new rules and procedures to pass a budget. We’ve got both the story and various tweets showing the legislature in session following health guidelines. (Forward Kentucky)
GE union president says he may take a strike vote over how company has handled coronavirus
GE Appliances workers may move one step closer toward going on strike amid the company’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a memo sent to members of the IUE-CWA Local 83-761 obtained by The Courier Journal, union President Dean “Dino” Driskell wrote that he is “pushing the company to respond to our demands and take this virus seriously park wide.”
The workers have received support from one state legislator. State Rep. Kevin Bratcher, a Louisville Republican, wrote a letter to GE Appliances CEO Kevin Nolan on Wednesday urging him to “cease regular operations at the GE Appliance Park until the current state of emergency lifts.” (Courier-Journal)
Here’s what Kentucky will get out of the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
Each state is expected to receive, at a minimum, $1.25 billion from the CARES Act. So, what does the Bluegrass State stand to gain? (Forward Kentucky)
Rep. Thomas Massie says he declined ‘bribes’ to support coronavirus stimulus bill
Massie told a Kentucky radio host that he voted his principles rather than accept “bribes” that were offered in exchange for dropping his opposition. (Forward Kentucky)
Reminder
Not all stories on Forward Kentucky make it to the top “Five Things” section of the Forward Five! Many stories only show up in the yellow section below, which is a running list of pretty much everything published. So, be sure to scan the lower section each day as well, so you don’t miss anything.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
News
[new] ‘The world was going to come down on me.’ Massie defends coronavirus actions – Thomas Massie is not walking back his actions of attempting to force a recorded vote on the coronavirus bill, even though he was heavily criticized. (read)
[new] Worst day yet – 114 cases, 7 deaths – but crowds still gathering – 3/31 update – The Beshear presser for Tuesday, 3/31, with a number of other news items included: comments from Louisville police, updates on wearing masks. (read)
Kentucky legislative staffer contracts COVID-19. Lawmakers set to return Wednesday. – An employee of the LRC tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, two days before the legislature is set to return to Frankfort. (read)
🔥 Beshear bans travel to other states – 3/30 update – In Monday’s press conference, Beshear bans travel to other states, orders quarantine for travelers; also, CDC says 29% of infections are among people 20-44. (read)
🔥 ‘Isn’t this silly?’: Beshear blasts bill allowing Kentuckians to sue over COVID-19 orders – Gov. Andy Beshear called a bill in the state legislature proposing to allow Kentuckians to sue the state over the governor’s emergency coronavirus measures “silly” at his news conference Sunday. (read)
🔥 Beshear vetoes two bills, signs 35 – here’s the list – Since the legislature continues to pass bills, Governor Beshear took time out from dealing with the coronavirus to sign or veto over thirty bills. Here’s the list. (read)
Commentary
[new] Op-Ed: During COVID-19, Kentuckians must be ‘watchmen at the wall’ for the vulnerable – Even as we try to protect ourselves and our families from the coronavirus, we must also be sure to protect those who are especially vulnerable to abuse. (read)
Lincoln, FDR, and Beshear – Crises can change politicians, and reveal things about them, said Al Cross. Other leaders who were doubted going in revealed their strength in crisis, and Andy Beshear is doing the same. (read)
‘Trump Follies at Five’ – a new Bingo game – Do you watch the Trump pressers every day at 5? If you feel like you have to watch these … things, then turn it into a game – a Bingo game! (read)
Policy
How SNAP can help people during hard economic times like these – A record number of Americans are seeing their hours cut or losing their jobs due to the initial economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. How will millions of newly jobless families keep putting food on the table? (read)
The anatomy of the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill – Want to know what’s in the $2 trillion coronavirus bill? Here’s a great visual breakdown, along with an expanded description of who gets what relief. (read)
Cartoon
🔥 A short message from Andy Beshear – All across the state, and across partisan lines, people are increasingly appreciative of Governor Beshear’s leadership during this crisis. And, other states are taking notice as well. Aaron Smith captured the Gov reminding us of a few things. (view)
Media
SOS Michael Adams, Rep. Charles Booker on the ‘State of Kentucky’ – On this week’s “State of Kentucky” show, we are joined by Secretary of State Michael Adams to discuss his ideas and plans around vote by mail, and by Rep. Charles Booker, candidate for U.S. Senate, talking about his campaign and how they’re working given the coronavirus crisis. We are honored to have both of them with us, and hope you’ll watch! (watch)
[podcast] 🔥 Andy Beshear and COVID, legislative updates, and Senate budget, plus Corey Nichols interview – Beshear’s response to COVID and people’s response to it; the budget and other bills; and Corey Nichols, running for state House in Lexington. (listen)
The Coronavirus Explained – Here’s a short video that does a great job explaining the COVID-19 virus: what it is, how it spreads, how it attacks the body, and how to deal with it. (watch)
PubBlog
[new] A literal Sign of the Times – Need a chuckle? Here’s a sign on a door that reflects the times we are living in, shared by a co-worker of my brother. Chuckle, then pass it on. (read)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Kentucky vs. Tennessee on coronavirus may be the best example of ‘elections matter’ in decades (4,000+ shares)
- Bill would limit gov’s powers during health emergency (1,000+ shares)
- Massie plans to vote ‘no,’ threatens to hold up coronavirus stimulus bill (1,000+ shares)
- Rand Paul’s ‘me first’ mentality exposed the US Senate to coronavirus (434 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.
