May 23 Local News Council Members Defend, React to Parker’s Surprise Victory Louisville Metro Council members are having mixed reactions to Tea Party candidate Marilyn Parker defeating Republican incumbent Jon Ackerson in the District 18 primary race. Earlier this year, a majority of GOP council members backed Parker over Ackerson after claiming the one-term city lawmaker too often sided with Democrats in key debates. On the council, […] By WFPL News May 23 Local News Council Members Defend, React to Parker’s Surprise Victory WFPL News
May 10 Local News Scott Questions Fischer’s Camping Ban Ordinance Metro Councilwoman Attica Woodson Scott, D-1, is concerned about an ordinance being proposed by Mayor Greg Fischer that would ban overnight camping in response to the Occupy Louisville protest. Last month, the city ousted protestors from Founder’s Square in downtown without incident. But because the space is not considered an official Metro Park, there is […] By WFPL News May 10 Local News Scott Questions Fischer’s Camping Ban Ordinance WFPL News
Feb 8 Local News Ackerson Rips Council GOP for ‘Litmus Tests’ Calling them “juvenile” and “petty”, Louisville Metro Councilman Jon Ackerson, R-18, is lashing out at his Republican colleagues for endorsing a Tea Party challenger in the upcoming GOP primary. Six of the eight remaining Republican councilmen publicly support Marilyn Parker over Ackerson and have alleged he sided with Democrats on several issues after receiving preferential […] By WFPL News Feb 8 Local News Ackerson Rips Council GOP for ‘Litmus Tests’ WFPL News
Feb 6 Local News Council GOP Divided Over Parker Endorsement Louisville Metro Council members’ endorsement of candidate Marilyn Parker over incumbent Jon Ackerson, R-18, in this year’s primary has created a rift in the caucus, but GOP staffers are downplaying the division. Six of the eight remaining Republican members have publicly supported Parker, a former congressional candidate and Tea Party activist who has flirted with […] By WFPL News Feb 6 Local News Council GOP Divided Over Parker Endorsement WFPL News
Dec 15 Local News Council Members Question Whether Donor Pulls Strings in Fischer Administration The caucus leaders of the Louisville Metro Council have asked Mayor Greg Fischer to clarify the role of high-profile contributor Tommy Elliott in making mayoral appointments. And some city lawmakers could also request Elliott testify before the government accountability committee next year. Elliott donated $2,000 to Fischer’s election campaign last year and also served as […] By WFPL News Dec 15 Local News Council Members Question Whether Donor Pulls Strings in Fischer Administration WFPL News
Nov 28 Local News City Lawmakers React to U of L Study Criticizing Merger The Louisville Metro Council is reacting to a University of Louisville report on merger that found key promises of city and county government consolidation failed. The study says merger did not result in job growth and cost efficient government services as proponents assured the consolidation would bring. It also draws attention to a number of […] By WFPL News Nov 28 Local News City Lawmakers React to U of L Study Criticizing Merger WFPL News
Nov 9 Local News Woolridge Proposes Special Elections to Fill Council Vacancies Louisville Metro Councilwoman Mary Woolridge, D-3, has introduced a resolution that would allow direct elections to fill council vacancies. Under current state law, the council selects replacements by a majority vote if a city lawmaker dies, resigns or is removed from office. The appointee must then run in the next election in order to finish […] By WFPL News Nov 9 Local News Woolridge Proposes Special Elections to Fill Council Vacancies WFPL News
Oct 12 Local News Rubbertown Company Fined for Pollution Violations, Secretary of State Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Ken Fleming Calls for Term Limits, $37 Million Retirement Pay for Gannett CEO Criticized: Afternoon Review An aluminum company in Louisville’s Rubbertown neighborhood has agreed to a settlement with Metro Government in response to several alleged record-keeping and pollution violations. The proposed agreement fines Eckart America $668,250, and sets up a plan to help the company come into compliance with its permit. Kentucky Secretary of State Elaine Walker announced she was […] By Laura Ellis Oct 12 Local News Rubbertown Company Fined for Pollution Violations, Secretary of State Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Ken Fleming Calls for Term Limits, $37 Million Retirement Pay for Gannett CEO Criticized: Afternoon Review Laura Ellis
Oct 12 Local News Fleming Proposes Resolution Seeking Term Limits, Nonpartisan Races Louisville Metro Councilman Ken Fleming, R-7, has drafted a resolution asking the General Assembly to amend several parts of the merger law that created Metro Government. The non-binding measure calls for terms limits for the mayor and council members, as well as nonpartisan elections. The change would reduce the number of consecutive terms the mayor […] By WFPL News Oct 12 Local News Fleming Proposes Resolution Seeking Term Limits, Nonpartisan Races WFPL News
Jun 21 Local News Lawmakers Question Mayoral Fund Leaders of the Louisville Metro Council are voicing concern about purchases made from a discretionary fund by Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Jerry Abramson during his tenure as mayor. Council members have suggested a number of possible actions regarding the mayoral fund, from tighter restrictions on the current administration, calling Abramson to testify before the Government […] By WFPL News Jun 21 Local News Lawmakers Question Mayoral Fund WFPL News
Jun 15 Local News Green Lobbying Colleagues for Support Louisville Metro Councilwoman Judy Green, D-1, has been lobbying fellow members in an attempt to influence their decision in her pending removal hearing, according to several sources in City Hall. A bipartisan group of five council members signed a petition to impeach the embattled city lawmaker Monday, citing the two ethics cases against Green. In […] By WFPL News Jun 15 Local News Green Lobbying Colleagues for Support WFPL News
Jun 9 Local News Council GOP Volunteer for City Furloughs, Return Portion of Office Funds Each member of the Louisville Metro Council’s Republican caucus will participate in the mayor’s furlough program to help fill the $22.5 million budget shortfall. A week ago, Council President Jim King, D-10, asked fellow members and their staffs to join the voluntary program, which is mandatory for all non-union Metro employees making more than $70,000 […] By WFPL News Jun 9 Local News Council GOP Volunteer for City Furloughs, Return Portion of Office Funds WFPL News
Jun 8 Local News Council Members Debate Discretionary Funds Four members of the Louisville Metro Council debated the need for discretionary spending Wednesday, disagreeing along party lines on the funds use and whether they should be cut or significantly curtailed. The Louisville Forum hosted the discussion, which featured Council President Jim King, D-10, and fellow members David James, D-6, Ken Fleming, R-7, and Jerry […] By WFPL News Jun 8 Local News Council Members Debate Discretionary Funds WFPL News
May 19 Local News Fleming Anticipates Changes Following Spending Controversies A Louisville Metro Council member hopes the public isn’t losing trust in city lawmakers after a series of spending controversies, and expects reforms will be made to the council’s discretionary spending accounts as a result. Reports in the Louisville Courier-Journal and LEO Weekly uncovered that council members have spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on food […] By WFPL News May 19 Local News Fleming Anticipates Changes Following Spending Controversies WFPL News
May 12 Local News Council Receives ‘Fact Sheet’ on Whiskey Row Deal Hours before the Louisville Metro Council meets to vote on an emergency ordinance to preserve a strip of 19th Century buildings downtown, the mayor’s office has provided members with an outline of the financial plan to save the historic block. But Republican members say they are still unwilling to support waiving council rules to approve […] By WFPL News May 12 Local News Council Receives ‘Fact Sheet’ on Whiskey Row Deal WFPL News