Dear Friend, Children rely on decisions adults make to grow up healthy and strong. They rely on their parents/guardians to provide clothes for their back, a safe home and reliable meals. Also, they rely on policymakers to make sure they are protected from abuse and neglect, to make sure their parents can get health insurance to take them to the doctor, and to make sure their misbehaviors like running away are handled with effective discipline [...]
Dear Governor Beshear, Congratulations on your re-election on November 8. Your impressive share of the vote brings to mind that axiom from the astute political observer, Charlie Brown, who opined, “A great potential is the heaviest burden to bear.” That is so apropos to your second term. Let’s be honest – history is not kind to chief executives whether their second terms are at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or in the Kentucky’s Governor Mansion. All too [...]
Until a couple weeks ago, I had never heard of the verb “True Up.” At a recent event in downtown Louisville, a distinguished-looking gentleman named Frank Harshaw defined it as, “to make level; to square; to bring into correct balance.” This soft-spoken guy is a highly successful local business leader, who owns a Trane air conditioning firm. But it was neither air conditioning mechanics nor his business’ bottom line that Frank wanted to “True Up.” [...]
Debt ceiling. Credit rating downgrade for the USA. A frenzy on the market. All of those are important (and troubling) economic headlines to be sure. But I wonder and worry if all the talk of the past month around macro-economics, the complexities of structural debt, and Standard & Poors obscures the realities of the day to day poverty that Kentuckians experience. The federal poverty level is $21,756 for a family of four. And we know [...]
In his August 1 column in Louisville’s Courier-Journal, David Adkisson shared a perspective from the Kentucky Chamber’s follow-up to their 2009 study, the Leaky Bucket, focusing on reforming state spending in Kentucky. The Chamber provides a valuable voice on the issue and certainly represents the business community with real power. Unfortunately, the Chamber’s report is missing the realities of what Kentucky children and families face, particularly in the wake of the recession. While the report [...]
My head is spinning after spending an hour yesterday evening on Kentucky Tonight, discussing the federal debt ceiling with three other panelists. As usual, host Bill Goodman did his job masterfully, orchestrating discussions around tough topics in a low-keyed, thoughtful and open manner. (I wish we had more Bill Goodmans on the Sunday news shows and the nightly cable talk shows. Maybe thoughtfulness would replace rhetorical ideology!) None of the conversation really surprised me. Sadly, [...]
If only Kentucky’s children and families could invent a massive traffic jam on a Kentucky interstate! Apparently, interstate messes are the best means to kick Frankfort into high gear. While I was not headed to Sparta, I do understand the frustration of sitting for hours in traffic, especially for those who never even got to see the checkered flag drop. BUT I must admit to being green with envy to see the fire and brimstone [...]
Focusing Solely on Spending in State Budget Ignores Realities Facing Kentucky Families Statement by Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates “The Kentucky Chamber released a follow-up to their 2009 study, the Leaky Bucket, with an update focusing on reforming state spending in Kentucky. The Chamber provides a valuable voice on the issue and represents the business community with real power. Unfortunately, the Chamber’s report ignores the realities of whatKentucky children and families face, particularly [...]
“HB 182 sponsored by Representative Darryl Owens failed to pass the House Banking and Insurance Committee today. The bill would have capped the effective interest on payday loans at 36%. While we respect the votes of the members of the House Banking and Insurance Committee, we think the committee neglected their responsibility to protect Kentucky's most vulnerable citizens. Representative Johnny Bell's bill in the 2009 General Assembly to institute a database has been a strong [...]