RICHMOND —
Those searching for progress on the stand-off in Frankfort might not realize it, but there’s more (politics) going on than meets the eye.
Gov. Steve Beshear called a special session to amend the budget to cover a Medicaid shortfall. He and House Democrats want to move money from next year’s budget to cover it and then make that up next year with managed care savings. Republican Senate President David Williams — who like Beshear is running for governor — wants to cut other services to make up the shortfall. Complicating things further, House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover and most of his Republican caucus don’t want to cut education.
Fueling both sides’ positions of course is the governor’s race. Beshear and Democrats count on support from the Kentucky Education Association which represents teachers and KEA relies on them not to cut education. Williams seems convinced that public disaffection with federal government spending will carry him to a win in first the Republican primary and then this fall if he holds firm on “living within our means.” Usually the master of the Frankfort political chess board, Williams (so far) appears outmaneuvered by House Speaker Greg Stumbo (you were expecting Beshear?). Williams is trying to find a way to stick with his cuts, but show Republicans support education while persuading the House to deal.
But Hoover’s statement in the last days of the regular session that his caucus opposes cuts to education has cornered Williams, again for now. He has a history of pulling a rabbit out of the legislative hat. As Williams squirmed and sometimes fumed, Beshear began flying around the state Monday criticizing Williams’ “obstruction” and accusing him of wasting taxpayers’ money by forcing a special session. But Beshear mishandled a question about the cost of the fly-around, saying he was just doing his job as governor and is “not going to apologize for a minute” for the cost.
While they fight it out, Hoover and Stumbo strengthened their positions with their members. Stumbo was greeted by applause from his members when he and Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark refused to back off their position in negotiations with Williams who often out maneuvered House Democrats under former Speaker Jody Richards. As one lobbyist put it: “If Jody were still Speaker, we’d already have a deal. Of course, it would be David’s deal.”
There are a some dissidents but Hoover has significantly strengthened his position with House Republicans. That’s because a they wanted to deliver a message to Williams only slightly different than the one House Democrats wished to deliver. Williams typically ignores the House Republicans until negotiations reach a climax and then tells them what position he expects them to take. Hoover’s moves have made House Republicans relevant again and they’ve also made themselves important to Beshear’s and Stumbo’s strategy. If Hoover’s members aren’t included in House negotiations, it undercuts the Democrats’ claim that only Williams stands in the way of an otherwise bi-partisan deal.
There are conflicting accounts of how Republican heavyweights who support Williams for governor are viewing all of this. I’ve been told they want him to hold firm on a position they think sells with the public while others say some view his stance as a miscalculation. For now the question is whether Williams will pull that rabbit out of his hat, maintain the standoff indefinitely or ultimately get the best deal he can and declare that if the Beshear plan fails the flood of cuts next January will be on the Democrats’ — and Hoover’s — hands.
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
Viewpoints
More than meets the eye
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Graduation Day
It is that time of year again.
Some years ago, I was invited to speak at the graduation ceremonies of a liberal arts college. Later, many in the audience told me they expected a very political speech. Some of them were relieved; others were disappointed. I don't do politics at graduation.
Graduation is about life.
My high school graduation was OK. I gave a speech. My family was there, intact, probably as happy as they ever were (But did I know?). We went out for Chinese food afterward. -
Coal problem worth tackling in Washington and Frankfort
Despite hysterical cries from radical environmentalists, neither Sen. Rand Paul’s Defense of Environment and Property Act nor Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Coal Jobs Protection Act would allow activities that bring harm to Kentucky’s wildlife or waterways for the sake of propping up the coal industry.
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Peter Perlman — Life lessons from a lawyer’s lawyer
One of the great moments of my life was sitting next to legendary Louisville attorney Frank Haddad at a luncheon when he learned he had received the first Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer award from the Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers.
As they started his bio, the surprised Frank started crying like a baby. A sudden heart attack took him less than a year later. Winning the Perlman award was the crowning achievement of his career. -
Credit score insanity
Frequently, people stop me and ask me personal finance questions.
The most common is how to improve their credit history score.
If you need to improve your credit score, it means you have lousy credit. Before fixing the score, people need to ask how their credit got so bad to begin with. -
‘Tells’ about who will blow their money
Kentucky Derby week is one where gambling takes a forefront in my life. Along with the non-stop activities in my home state, I am speaking at a dinner for the Society of Settlement Professionals in Las Vegas and a film crew from Italy is flying in from Rome to interview me for a documentary about lottery winners.
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Viewpoints change when critics gain power
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
I doubt the scandals around Benghazi, the IRS and subpoenas of Associated Press phone records reach Watergate status — but we must await more information and time to know. -
Trouble’s last ride
When announcing my retirement, I made reference to letting “Trouble” having one last ride.
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Going from school to work requires preparation, faith
(Editor’s Note: After graduating from EKU on Saturday, Seth Littrell came to work Monday at the Richmond Register as a reporter/photographer.)
This past Saturday weekend I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with my bachelor’s in journalism.
It was the single goal I had been working toward for the past four years, and as I walked across that stage I realized I was the first person in my family to do so. -
Report on former EKU Center for the Arts director called 'biased, unfair'
I am writing in response to the Richmond Register’s May 3, 2013, article concerning the former Executive Director of the EKU Center for the Arts. The article I reference appeared on the front page of your newspaper with the headline “Sexual harassment, other offenses alleged in Hoskin’s records in 740 pages of documents.”
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Recognizing those who provide care
How fitting it is that the beginning of National Nursing Home Week is Mother’s Day, May 12.
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