Fresh on the heels of Rand Paul’s TSA encounter, this piece of legislation would require an independent study of x-ray body scanners. [Pro Publica]

You, the taxpayer, are spending $84,400 on a study to determine whether or not the University of Pikeville should become a state school. [C-J/AKN]

Earlier today Republican Erwin Roberts – who once wanted Anne Northup’s seat – filed to run in the 10th State House District. [SoS]

Redistricting may face court scrutiny but – again – here’s hoping the Republicans have a clue what they’re up against. [Ronnie Ellis]

Here’s more on Jeff Hoover being really made that he was duped by Greg Stumbo. [H-L]

Raise your head if you think Frankfort will do the right thing when it comes to halting executions. [WHAS11]

Madison County has been divided into four State House districts and locals don’t seem to be too happy about it. [Richmond Register]

Today Adam Edelen announced plans to audit the Quality and Charity Care Trust. [The 'Ville Voice]

We can’t wait until the press start to re-discuss Newt Gingrich’s role in an international arms and bribery or whatever plot. [Wonkette]

Phillip Bailey got the headline wrong: “Mongiardo Rips General Assembly, Williams Over Redistricting Plan” – the REAL story in that release today, as we told you, was that he called out Alice Forgy Kerr and Steve Beshear while supporting Kathy Stein. [WFPL]

Urbody so mad over redistricting that people are getting all sue-happy. Republicrats shoulda made this a federal issue, though, because Greg Stumbo has the state judges in his back pocket, for the most part. [Ryan Alessi]

Even Bill Gates says the mega rich should pay more taxes. Because it’s, you know, just. [HuffPo]

Two twists in the dragon’s tail? China’s consumption ration is no longer falling and its reserves are no longer rising. [The Economist]

“In a time when dollars are so scarce, the need is so great, I can’t in good conscience get in here and make a statement that we need a whole lot of new money,” Auditor Edelen said. “I think it pays a large amount of disrespect to the families of Kentucky who are struggling, who frankly don’t have a lot of tolerance for listening to a politician complain about his budget.”

-SNIP-

“In a difficult economy like the one we find ourselves in right now, there is an enhanced incentive for bad actors to cheat, to fraud, to create waste or to take for themselves.”

Just when you thought Edelen had balls, he pusses out with something like that. Going along like cutting one of the most important budgets in the Commonwealth is puppies and rainbows.

You wonder why Crit Luallen couldn’t audit everything necessary? Maybe why she was unable to go balls-to-the-wall with the KDE? It’s because her budget was constantly getting slashed.

That’s one office this state can’t afford to bankrupt. This ‘please, sir, may I have some more?’ bit with the legislature – many of the very people he’s tasked with watching – maybe isn’t the best foot to get off on. All of Frankfort is snickering about it.

Doesn’t help that many of his staff are already whispering about problems involving his Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.

This is why Kentucky can’t have nice things.

It’s irresponsible of Sara Beth Gregory to use this child’s death in a push for requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine when she admits it was the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ fault for not taking warnings seriously or bothering to investigate. [Ryan Alessi]

Misinformation is the name of the game in Frankfort when it comes to proposed prescription-only legislation. Misinformation driven by lobbyists and those paid to shill, no less. [Page One]

Jimbo Ramsey is on a mission to castrate Jack Conway for making one of the only decisions that isn’t suspect in a long time. So here’s Jack explaining his hospital merger position. [FOX41]

The Justice Department says that President Barack Obama’s recess appointments are constitutional. [HuffPo]

You can’t even walk around Richmond these days without getting robbed by two men on the street. [WKYT]

Greg Fischer delivered his State of the City Address from a members-only club in Louisville today. Check out the highlights and keep track of his promises. [The 'Ville Voice]

Kentucky’s bourbon trail netted a record number of tourists in 2011. But Frankfort still fails the industry and allows it to hobble along like a mish-mash of random clubs. [H-L]

Today Steve Hohmann was appointed commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources by the Energy and Environment Cabinet. He’s a former abandoned mine inspector. [Press Release]

Are you as excited as A Kentucky Newspaper that Jerry Abramson will keynote at the St. Matthews Chamber of Commerce gala? Because it’s been running non-stop like it’s the most important news in Kentucky. [C-J/AKN]

Rocky Adkins says he wants to make state schools greener – a good thing. Yes, that’s irony you’re feeling as your eyes roll back in your head. [Bluegrass Politics]

Here comes Judge Irv Maze, running for Court of Appeals. [SoS]

Frankfort is having all kinds of fun speculating about what Adam Edelen’s audit of Richie Farmer’s office will bring to the surface. So far, all of that speculation includes missing automobiles, hookers, more wasted money than you can imagine, sexscapades in the office and all-around stupidity. [Ronnie Ellis]

A new report shows that Kentuckians are frequent binge drinkers. That may have something to do with their quality of life. [Business First]

Republican Bart Rowland of Tompkinsville and Democrat Barry Dean Steele of Knob Lick will face each other in the 53rd House District Special Election on February 7. [Press Release]

The 20 biggest donors of the 2012 election cycle so far. This should make your eyes roll back in your head. [Mother Jones]

Mitch McConnell was in Jeffersontown today where he played pat-a-cake for some folks. Half way through, his tape had to be flipped and his batteries changed. [Teddy Ruxpin Came To Town]

Willie Horton, Willie Horton, Willie Horton. You know the Republican Presidential Primary has completely fallen apart. [NPR]

Late last year, ProPublica and the Washington Post published a series of stories that exposed racial disparities in the awarding of presidential pardons. You should read this. [ProPublica]

The Supreme Court says judges cannot get involved in church-employee discrimination dispute. [WaPo]

Has Ron Paul turned into those little fish in the foot bath tank at fancy spas? You know, those things you see on the teevee that eat the dead skin off your heels? [Politico]

Will this summit help stop child abuse deaths in Kentucky? Will things eventually start looking up for the Commonwealth? [H-L]

This story about evolution and an extinct tortoise could send the Ark Parkers into a complete meltdown. [BBC]

On the FLOTUS Seething Hostility Scale – with Laura “Xanax Smile” Bush a 1 and Barbara “Side Eye” Bush a 10, Michelle Obama is maybe a 3. [Wonkette]

Louisville can’t afford trash pick-up but it can afford all of this new mess. You’re so surprised. [The 'Ville Voice]

Ron Paul says he wants to get rid of everything that’s unconstitutional. So why doesn’t he want to get rid of Head Start? It’s all or nothing, kids. [HuffPo]

Jody Richards and Rick Nelson voted no on House Bill 2. And Greg Stumbo’s redistricting map passed along party lines to the State Senate, where it will die. [Deep Frankfort Failures]

Allowing Kentucky school buses to be moving billboards seems silly. The Kentucky Department of Education wouldn’t be hurting so badly if so much cash wasn’t wasted on frivolous crap. There’s no reason Kentucky schools need to be paying for teachers to take their spouses on conference trips. Absolutely no reason. And that’s just scratching the surface. Adam Edelen needs to sack up and audit that mess RIGHT NOW. [CN|2]

Rick “The Froth” Santorum will allow you to own one of his armpit-aerating sartorial staples – a necessity for anyone with anger management issues, because anger causes sweat – for the low, low price of $100. Snatch up your sweater vest today. [Wonkette]

It’s time for a reality check on the meth problem in Kentucky. If we’re gonna get a handle on this issue, we at least need to keep the facts straight. [Page One]

Andy Barr released a statement about House Bill 2 today and tried to tie Ben Chandler into it in the weirdest way possible. We keep waiting for Barr to hit hard and will continue to do so. Surely he can start digging in where Republicans and Democrats want to pay attention. [Press Release]

Are Super PACs the WMDs of campaign finance? Yep. And it’s highly entertaining watching Republicans reap what they sewed in the form of “free speech.” [The Atlantic]

Wait, Rick Perry is still a thing? [Politico]

The State House Education Committee approved HB40, which authorizes a statewide teacher evaluation system. [H-L]

Ron Paul got really mad at CNN again. Just after he finished complaining about how nobody paid attention to him or whatever. [The Hill]

Following the Metro Sewer District shenanigans in Louisville? Then keep your eye on this latest project and make sure nothing nefarious goes down. [C-J/AKN]

The honeymoon is officially over for Greg Fischer. Mr. Buzz Words is being forced to face reality and no longer gets to enjoy the free ride. [The 'Ville Voice]

The Pope says gay marriage is a threat to the future of humanity. Funny, we thought Brown Coats were the real threat. [HuffPo]

He’ll audit the Kentucky Department of Education – ignoring his friends in Steve Beshear’s office and in his own – from top to bottom.

Kentucky desperately needs it and our school kids most certainly could use those millions upon millions of wasted dollars for their public education.

Will he do it?

As we reported a while ago, Noted River Rock Expert Stephenie Steitzer will serve as Communications Director – the most important job in the office.

Others:

• Tom Bennett will be his Chief of Staff
• Will Carle (whoopsie?) – Deputy Chief of Staff
• Nathan Cryder – Senior Policy Advisor
• Libby Carlin will remain as Assistant Auditor of Public Accounts
• Brian Lykins will remain as Director of the Office of Technology and Special Audits

“I have carefully blended seasoned veterans of state government, two of whom have served in the Auditor’s office for many years, with a diverse group of professionals who will bring a fresh perspective,” Edelen said. “Our team is energized and ready to begin the work of auditing the accounts and financial transactions of the Commonwealth’s public agencies.”

Today Papaw Beshear directed the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to release all records contained in its reviews of child deaths and near deaths involving child abuse and neglect. If anybody wants the summary released by Papaw’s office about what each state requires in disclosure, let me know and I can send you a PDF. [Press Release]

Prediction: There’s no way Hal Rogers will prevent the rest of Warshington from increasing spending. No way. He’ll get in on the action himself. [The Hill]

That sound you hear is a whole bunch of state-level hypocrisy when it comes to overturn health care reform legislation like Todd P’Pool wanted to do. Those states suing are collecting federal funding. Funny how that works. [HuffPo]

Part of you has to wonder how much responsibility the United States needs to accept as Iraqi youth prepare to inherit a war-scarred nation. [WaPo]

Todd Hollenbach may need to get a grip if he thinks he’s going to run for something in 2015. That office needs to be abolished or absorbed by the Finance Cabinet. [Ryan Alessi]

Everybody is peeing a little bit over Damon Thayer’s fancy new map that’s an alternative to Greg Stumbo’s on the redistricting front. [Joe Gerth]

Basically, everybody and their mother is freaking out over post office closures. Not only would mail be delayed in Frankfort, it’d take even longer to circulate in Eastern Kentucky than it already does. [State-Journal]

Could Sexytime Herman Cain be about to quit, just like Sarah The Quitter Palin, because he’s been practicing his love too much? [Wonkette]

Anybody denying global warming and working to suggest that man has absolutely nothing to do with it has no business speaking in public. What a ridiculous bit. [The 'Ville Voice]

Need some extree outrage for yer evening? Here’s how Hang Paulson gave hedge fund honchos advance warning of financial nightmares. [Bloomberg]

Rick Perry is so crazy/insane/disconnected that he thought the voting age in the United States of America was 21. [HuffPo]

Kentucky Youth Advocates said Governor Steve Beshear’s message regarding CHFS documentation is promising. Executive Director Terry Brooks says the next steps are key to ending child deaths in Kentucky. [Press Release]

Gross Sexytime Herman Cain’s campaign manager requested that train wreck of an interview. We are forever grateful for the hilarity. [HuffPo]

It’s a solid move by Adam Edelen to consider a massive educational audit. It’ll need to be conducted with Joe Meyer out of the picture, though. [Ryan Alessi]

This Brooks Wicker guy trying to run against John Yarmuth again needs to give up before he gets going. [Failing For 2nd Time]

Chuck Geveden – the old one – is retiring from the Justice Cabinet at the end of the year. [C-J/AKN]

Mouth-breathing Republicans want your public school children to remain dumb and fat. We’re talking Jim Gooch clones, here, folks. Once again trying to kill school lunch standards. [Wonkette]

Lexington finally realized Central Kentuckians can’t figure out how one-way streets work. [H-L]

Of course Brett Guthrie opposes the plan to move Owensboro into the 1st Congressional District. People are freaking the eff out over it. [Joe Gerth]

Don’t act surprised that Greg Stumbo is still going on and on about how we need to waste taxpayer dollars on a special legislative session to handle redistricting. Frankfort knew this was an issue and ignored it for way too long. [WLEX18]

According to a new report, the Federal Housing Administration may require a taxpayer bailout by the end of next year. [HuffPo]

Republicans are hinting at flexibility on taxes to reach a budget deal. Is it a false dawn? [The Economist]

How crazy is the Frankfort rumor mill this week? The Beshear crew is apparently losing its mine over the Alison Lundergan Grimes victory. Alison is apparently still completely clueless about what’s going on and her campaign staff confirm such. Many seem to think she’s set to have her ass handed to her once she gets into office. [Page One]

If you’re a veteran in need of a job in the Louisville area, 30+ employers hiring more than 500 people will be at John Yarmuth’s jobs fair on the 21st. [Click the Clicky]

• Todd P’Pool: Why on earth didn’t you listen? You needed Democrats to win but you refused to do the right thing. You refused to campaign in Louisville, refused to ditch the anti-Obama bullshit and refused to focus on the needs of Kentucky. Every single time you were given good advice, you dismissed it entirely. You had more ammunition than any Republican has ever had to win a race and you completely ignored it. People may be congratulating you but I am calling you a political mistake. Stay away from statewide politics if you don’t have the guts to actually fight. Jesus H.
• Jack Conway: Dedicating your victory to your family? Really? Quit with the whiny ass titty baby crap. Apologize for tipping your brother off to the drug investigation and start investigating DEMOCRATS for a change.

Note to Jennifer Moore: Bitch, you crazy? Jack Conway’s own brother said in a police report he got involved in the drug investigation. You continue to say otherwise. Why do you continue with this tripe? Nice to see you using a MacBook, though. That alone makes me like you again.

Governor

• Steve Beshear: Here’s hoping you sack up and actually do something instead of pussyfooting 24/7. Say “gay” in public. Push for statewide fairness. Quit with the Ark Park trash. Get gambling done. Smack yourself in the face and start with COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM. You’re the luckiest man in the state because you just won against two of the most-hated candidates in Kentucky history. Also, keep Jerry Abramson in check. He’s a walking disaster and will bring you down if given the chance. Quit pretending you’ve “saved” education. Quit pretending you’re not partisan.
• David Williams: Now do you believe me when I say you need to manage your reputation? Last night’s results were a referendum on your reputation. Had nothing to do with your plans or Steve Beshear’s lack of plans and everything to do with whether or not people like you. Hope you find Reeechie a job so he can afford to pay alimony, child support and buy all of that candy. I personally like you and think you’re a different man than you have allowed yourself to be portrayed. Hold Steve Beshear’s feet to the fire. Buy your wife something really fancy (have her make you a carrot cake, as she did for me out of the blue when my mom died). You need to come out of the closet as the man who isn’t afraid of the gays and you need to support anti-discrimination efforts, as you do privately. Also PLEASE KEEP PUSHING FOR COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM. Make tax reform happen if it’s the last thing you do. And be sure to prep Jimmy Higdon to take over when you decide to leave.
• Gateweed: Really? The media was out to get you? You smoked too much pot last night. Glad to see you come in second in Franklin County, though. And even more glad to hear you promise to continue standing up for everyday Kentuckians.

Read the rest after the jump…

Treasurer

• K.C. Crosbie: You clearly could have won – maybe even in a wash – had you bothered to campaign.
• Todd Hollenbach: Fire your right-hand, Mo, and quit with the idiocy. Quit pretending you reconciled anything. Glad your political career will only last another four years.
• Ken Moellman: What will you run for next?

Auditor

• Adam Edelen: Great speech. Audit the KDE as soon as humanly possible. Start digging on your friends and among all the people who helped get you where you are. Do everything Crit couldn’t do and actually make sure you have some balls. You’ll be a failure at life if you don’t swing harder than Crit has. You’ve got to and Kentucky needs you to.
• John Kemper: You seem like a nice guy. Delusional and snowed by people like David Adams. Hope you get your business ducks in a row and realize politics aren’t for you.

Secretary of State

• Alison Lundergan Grimes: Holy crap you cleaned up! Way more votes than Steve Beshear, the man you’ve now learned could have cost you the election. You’re the new leader of the Kentucky Democratic Party. You need to stand up and make your voice heard. Oust the jokers on Democrat Drive this week and fire every single person Elaine Walker brought in to her office. Trey showed you the ropes when you were just beginning so you definitely have him to turn to. You’re a rising star and will likely be Kentucky’s next Democratic governor. Be sure to tell Ruth Ann to suck it the next time you see her. And please stop yelling (or was that so Papaw Beshear could hear you???).
• Bill Johnson: Hope you can wash all that Sharpie ink off your camper. Teabagging doesn’t pay, sir.

Commissioner of Agriculture

• Bob Farmer: Anybody who isn’t from Eastern Kentucky who cracks jokes like that gets the permanent stank eye (worse than stink). Should’ve run for the legislature. And you should have had a clue what you were running for.
• Jamie Comer: Told you a year ago you would win. Personally can’t wait to continue connecting you with the libruls and organic nerds. Once you ditch the teabagger girl, of course. Hopefully you won’t roll over on your back for corporate farms.