Don’t Go Changing: Ronnie Ellis wonders why, on a national level, there’s so much talk of change, while in Kentucky. . . not so much. Take a look at what you could call Ellis’ “but” column, as in Beshear saying he was going to bring new faces to Frankfort, but “his appointments have a familiar look.” Promised ethics, but three appointments had ethics questions.  Opposes cigarette tax, but wants Kentuckians to smoke less. You get the idea.

You’re Fired…Not: At the Public Service Commission, three fired employees are going to be offered their jobs back.  And no one is saying why.  But PSC spokesman Mark York wouldn’t admit to the Herald-Leader that the administration made a mistake. The staffers, David Samford (general counsel), Phil Cave (director of the Division of Financial Analysis) and Martin Hall (legislative liaison) were let go Jan. 4. They’ll be getting calls about returning to work today.

Fairness in Play: A statewide Fairness Bill is being introduced by Lexington Sen. Ernesto Scorsone in the Senate.  Gutsy move in such a backward state. SB 55 calls for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in existing civil rights protections for employment, housing, public accommodations, insurance coverage and credit. It sounds a lot like the controversial language recently passed by the Jefferson County School Board, which brought out plenty of anti-gay opposition.

Runoffs Out: A Senate panel wants to eliminate the possibility of runoffs in future elections. Too costly. And we got too close to having one last May, when Beshear just got over the 40 percent threshold. Sen. Damon Thayer (R- Georgetown) says it shouldn’t be a possibility. The bill is headed to the full Senate.