Study: Kentucky government’s service of public is average and has received an overall grade of B- from the Pew Center on the States in its latest “Grading the States” report. Everyone breathe a sigh of relief– we didn’t fail! [Business First]

The downfall of Kentucky’s marijuana kingpins? We’ve read the same story over and over for 20 years. Fat chance. [H-L]

Ralph Long lets it rip on all of the walking dead in Kentucky these days. Budget, casinos, Bruce, Jennifer. Ralph dishes the dirt, kids. We love him because he never holds back and is way classier than us. [Ralph Long]

Did you know? Rep. Darryl Owens admits Steve Beshear has made zero effort to push a constitutional amendment limiting a governor’s pardoning power. This is after promising in January to lead the fight for ethics reform. Don’t let your eyes roll back in your head. [PolWatchers]

Rep. Kathy Stein has joined Operation Gooch. Apparently, Kathy knows how to think for herself and realizes it’s effing heinous that Gooch chairs the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. [BlueGrassRoots]

And the gubnuh may finally be realizing that we need to raise the cigarette tax. The reality in Frankfort must be hard-hitting these days. [Hebert]