Kenny Colston

Kentucky Tea Party Groups to Protest IRS Offices

Kenny Colston — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:40:58 +0000

Kentucky Tea Party groups are planning rallies Tuesday to protest the IRS targeting of Tea Party and conservative groups for extra review.

Two of Kentucky's largest Tea Party groups will protests outside IRS offices in their respective areas: the Northern Kentucky Tea Party will protest in Cincinnati and Louisville's group will join southern Indiana groups to protest in Louisville.

Tea Party Activist Sues Beshear Over Medicaid Expansion

Kenny Colston — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Tea party activist David Adams is again suing Gov. Steve Beshear.

This time it's over the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare.

The lawsuit aims at stopping Beshear from expanding Medicaid in Kentucky.

Kentucky's Tourism Secretary Is Retiring

Kenny Colston — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Marcheta Sparrow will retire at the end of this month as the Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage. Sparrow was named secretary in 2007 and was one of the original members of Gov. Steve Beshear's cabinet.

In a statement, Beshear praised Sparrow for the recent growth in tourism, which was up 4.4 percent last year.

The secretary oversees many departments in addition to tourism, including parks, fish and wildlife and others related to the humanities.

Coalition Forms to Oppose Electricity Rate Increase in Western Ky. from Smelter Deal

Kenny Colston — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:38:53 +0000

A coalition of western Kentucky businesses and residents has formed in hopes of minimizing the fallout of an electricity rates deal between Big Rivers Electric Co-Op and western Kentucky aluminum smelters.

The coalition is worried the deal will lead to higher utility bills for residents and businesses.

Aluminum prices have been low in the past few years, and across Kentucky, aluminum smelters have sought to save money on their electricity bills.

Rand Paul Seeks to Cuts Corporate Tax, Fund Transportation

Kenny Colston — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:58:17 +0000

Through a single piece of legislation, Sen. Rand Paul is hoping to cut a corporate tax and get more revenue for transportation projects.

Kentucky's Insurance Exchange Is Named, 'Similar to Travelocity or Expedia' Experience

Kenny Colston — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:24:13 +0000

Kentucky's new exchange for people on the market for healthcare now has a name and a website.

It'll be called Kynect—pronounced "connect." People can access it at kynect.ky.gov. A phone line will be running in August.

Kynect will be fully operational in time for October open health insurance enrollment.

As IRS Scandal Endures, Kentucky Tea Party Activist Split on Mitch McConnell

Kenny Colston — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:57:17 +0000

As the scandal surrounding the targeting of tea party groups by the IRS continues, some Kentucky tea party activists are upset with Senator Mitch McConnell's role in the process—even as the state party is asking them to support him.

In Kentucky, only the statewide 9/12 project has come forward to acknowledge that they were targeted and that they were rejecting the IRS' apology on the matter.

Poll Shows Major Support for Medical Marijuana in Kentucky

Kenny Colston — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:19:35 +0000

A new poll shows 78 percent of Kentuckians support the legalization of medical marijuana, while others would be fine with widespread legalization.

The Kentucky Health Issues Poll has conducted polling on a wide array of issues for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky over the past few months, from a statewide smoking ban to health insurance coverage.

Ag Commissioner James Comer Says Hemp-Promoting Trip to Washington Was A Success

Kenny Colston — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:59:00 +0000

A trio of Kentuckians who favor the legalization of hemp says a trip to Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers and executive branch officials was beneficial.

Ben Chandler to Lead Kentucky Humanities Council, Doesn't Rule Out Return to Politics

Kenny Colston — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:49:27 +0000

Former Congressman Ben Chandler will be the new executive director of the Kentucky Humanities Council.

The non-profit group is not affiliated with the state, but works closely with state tourism and arts organizations. It is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities.