All Politics are Local

An attorney for former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said Wednesday that a federal grand jury in Lexington has subpoenaed former employees of the department to appear before it on Friday. Frankfort attorney J. Guthrie True said Farmer, who has been accused of more than 40 ethics violations while in office, has not been called to appear before the grand jury. True declined to identify any of the witnesses subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury.

The General Assembly’s passage of pension reform last month raised hopes 2013 might be the first in seven years without a special session. But some would like the governor to call lawmakers back to Frankfort this year to tackle tax reform and redistricting.

Governor Steve Beshear is criticizing the secret recording of a campaign meeting of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell  that was leaked.   Two members of Progress Kentucky, Shawn Reilly and Curt Morrison, have been implicated by a Jefferson County Democratic official as being behind who secretly recorded the McConnell meeting.  Kentucky Democratic leaders have been largely silent on the situation since the news broke last week. But after being asked Wednesday about the recording, Beshear said he found the whole situation—both the secret taping and McConnell's remarks — to be awful.

Curtis Morrison, one of two Democratic activists implicated in recording a campaign strategy session of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, is starting a legal defense fund.  Morrison tweeted out a link to the gofundme.com page Monday afternoon. The website lists a $10,000 goal.

A survey conducted by Public Policy Polling shows Kentucky voters still overwhelmingly oppose same-sex marriage despite national trends. The poll was taken in early April, and it finds 65 percent think it should remain illegal and only 27 percent support marriage equality for gay, lesbian and transgendered couples.

FRANKFORT – Gov. Steve Beshear Friday announced that Larry L. Roberts, of Frankfort, will become secretary of the Labor Cabinet effective May 16 with the resignation of acting Secretary Mark S. Brown. Brown, of Brandenburg, is resigning effective May 15 to pursue other opportunities. He is a former state representative and Meade County judge-executive and served as deputy secretary of the Labor Cabinet prior to assuming the role of acting secretary in December 2010.

There’s additional confirmation today the liberal Super Pac called Progress Kentucky was behind a secret recording of a meeting between Senator Mitch McConnell and his re-election team.  It’s the second time Progress Kentucky has drawn national attention. As Kentucky Public Radio's Gabe Bullard reports, neither incident has enhanced the group’s reputation.

A liberal advocacy group is launching a controversial new ad targeting Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and his opposition to gun control measure that uses an al-Qaeda recruitment video. Americans United for Change is behind the 30-second spot, which features American-born al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn explaining how lax U.S. laws do not require background checks to obtain firearms.

  First Lady Michelle Obama will join former University of Kentucky President Dr. Charles Wethington and Kentucky author Silas House as speakers at Eastern Kentucky University’s spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11. Three ceremonies, all in Alumni Coliseum, will recognize a total of 2,428 degree candidates.

A bill has already been pre-filed for the Kentucky General Assembly's 2014 session—and it deals with the use of drones in the state. Republican state Rep. Diane St. Onge bill limits how unmanned aircraft can be used. It allows U.S. military personnel to use drones in Kentucky for practice purposes. And it also allows drones to be used by law enforcement agencies if they have a specific warrant to do so.

Democratic groups are increasing the pressure on Senator Mitch McConnell as he gears up for next year's re-election campaign, launching attacks that focus on McConnell's recent actions in the U.S. Senate. The Senate Majority PAC, run by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has created a website called “Beltway Mitch,” targeting McConnell for his refusal to compromise on sequestration, and the effects of sequestration on school districts in Kentucky.

A new poll shows Sen. Mitch McConnell with a precarious lead over potential Democratic challengers. The survey from Public Policy Polling shows McConnell with a four point lead over Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes—45 to 41—and a five point lead over former Congressman Ben Chandler.

A secret audio recording of Senator Mitch McConnell's re-election campaign reveals the Kentucky Republican's aides intended to target actress Ashley Judd's mental health and religious beliefs among other issues.