Louisvillle Metro Councilwoman Marilyn Parker http://wfpl.org en Councilwoman Marilyn Parker Declines Government Pension Benefits http://wfpl.org/post/councilwoman-marilyn-parker-declines-government-pension-benefits <p>Louisville Metro Councilwoman Marilyn Parker, R-18, is forgoing her government pension benefits, citing the lack of real reforms in the 2013 General Assembly.</p><p>By declining the benefits Parker is saving the city an estimated $8,500 annually and Metro Government will not have to contribute to the state pension system on her behalf.</p><p>Parker says the decisions is meant to send a message to state lawmakers, and alert taxpayers on how serious the pension problem is for Kentucky.</p><p>"It is an issue that deeply concerns me for our state and city budgets. I'm concerned that we're not seeing a fix coming out of Frankfort," she says. "And as time goes on it is going our state and local budgets at risk and government at risk."</p><p> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:22:10 +0000 Phillip M. Bailey 4343 at http://wfpl.org Councilwoman Marilyn Parker Declines Government Pension Benefits Councilwoman Marilyn Parker to Tea Party: Don't Play 'Russian Roulette' With Mitch McConnell's Seat http://wfpl.org/post/councilwoman-marilyn-parker-tea-party-dont-play-russian-roulette-mitch-mcconnells-seat <p>Louisville Metro Councilwoman Marilyn Parker, R-18, is urging fellow Tea Party activists to think twice before taking on Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014.</p><p>McConnell opened his re-election headquarters in Louisville over the weekend, and promised a vigorous campaign. In recent weeks, <a href="http://wfpl.org/post/kentucky-tea-party-leaders-issue-warning-mitch-mcconnell-plan-draft-primary-challenger">more than a dozen Tea Party groups from around the state have warned they are lining up an opponent</a> to take on the GOP leader.</p><p>Parker attend the opening and told WFPL many in the Tea Party are upset with McConnell's leadership, particularly when it comes to federal spending.</p><p>But the East End Republican says McConnell’s position is too important to risk, and that he has stood up against President Obama's agenda in Washington.</p><p>"I think we are at a very tenuous time in the country, and it’s important that’s not jeopardized at this time,” she says.</p><p> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:20:54 +0000 Phillip M. Bailey 3798 at http://wfpl.org Councilwoman Marilyn Parker to Tea Party: Don't Play 'Russian Roulette' With Mitch McConnell's Seat Two Politically Different Women Join Metro Council http://wfpl.org/post/two-politically-different-women-join-metro-council <p>The Louisville Metro Council has the most female members since 2007 with the addition of two new members: Democrat Cindi Fowler and Republican Marilyn Parker.</p><p>The freshman lawmakers were sworn-in this week and both hope to add new perspectives for their districts and respective political caucuses.</p><p>Fowler and Parker come into council with very different backgrounds.</p><p>Fowler is a former legislative aide and replaces her old boss, Bob Henderson, who retired. She is a graduate of Emerge Kentucky, which helps train Democratic women to run for office and won a seat that the GOP had hoped to pick up last fall.</p><p>Asked about the biggest difference between her and Henderson, Fowler says her predecessor served his constituents well, but didn't always have an open ear.</p><p>"I would say probably I would listen a lot more," she says.</p><p> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:24:43 +0000 Phillip M. Bailey 3318 at http://wfpl.org Two Politically Different Women Join Metro Council