Andy Barr

Notable Disbursements

• $13,835.38 on staff
• $2,562.97 on telephone & internet
• $1,582.91 on travel
• $932.65 on equipment, supplies, rent
• $784.80 on food & events
• $10,890.23 on printing
• $1,230.75 on postage
• 77 refunds of “anonymous” contributions totaling $7,196

We’re not sure why Barr didn’t bother reviewing his report prior to allowing staffers to file it with the FEC. Because we’re not sure how it’s possible they could think it’s, you know, possible to refund contributions to “anonymous” individuals without raising the ire of the FEC.

Ben Chandler

Notable Disbursements

• $26,151.07 on staff
• $4,705.31 on telephone & internet
• $119.35 on travel
• $2,834.92 on equipment, supplies, rent
• $5,019.25 on food & events
• $76.61 on printing
• $2,181.71 on postage

At this point, it’s clear – based on campaign finance reports alone – that Ben Chandler is more serious about running for Congress. At least when it comes to professionalism.

Quick, let’s pretend the Energy and Environment Cabinet cares about Earth Day! [Click the Clicky]

The state is now appealing the decision to release child abuse records. We repeat, Steve Beshear’s administration is now appealing the decision to release child abuse records. That’s how quickly they flip-flop and waste your tax dollars. [Debby Yetter]

And just like that, ANOTHER attorney was hired at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. [SoS]

Jerry Abramson desperately wants to run for the U.S. Senate. Or for Congress. So papaw is floating him all over the state to sound official. [State-Journal]

Andy Barr says he’s raised $425,000 in his second bid against Ben Chandler. [Press Release]

Apparently the Council on Postsecondary Education didn’t pay attention to what President Barack Obama had to say in his State of the Union address. [C-J/AKN]

Do you want to read another story about people suing over the ridiculous Greg Stumbo-Damon g…Thayer redistricting poop? Of course you do. [Ronnie Ellis]

Maybe you want to read yet another story about the redistricting lawsuit. So. Here you go. [H-L]

Oh, nope, you need another story about it all. The case will be heard at 10:30 A.M. on Monday by Judge Phillip Shepherd, who will hopefully strike down this bogus mess. But don’t hold your breath. [AP/Amanda Van Benschoten's Replacement]

Maybe it’d be easier to just watch a video about the redistricting mess. [WKYT]

Yes, a bridge over Kentucky Lake was struck by a tugboat last night and it partially collapsed. No one died, though, so calm down. It’s not earth-shattering news and there’s no need for us to write 45 times about it. [Press Releases/Email Blasts]

When Jerry Abramson says small businesses should have a large role in tax reform in Kentucky? He means gigantic businesses that employ thousands and operate outside the state. [Business First]

Newspapers in Eastern Kentucky are on fire this week over pill mill busts throughout the region. Just a week ago, Jack Conway was saying the problem was disappearing. Funny how that works. [The Morehead News]

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]

If all children were aborted, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. So let’s abort all children. [HuffPo]

Republicans refuse to tax millionaires fairly. Millionaires don’t object. Imagine that. [NPR]

Police may not like being filmed but they better get used to it. Technology and civil liberties go hand-in-hand. [The Economist]

There are still too many lingering questions about what’s going on at Kentucky Retirement Systems. [Page One]

Jim Gray decided to just cold move his fancy Christmas tree outside city hall. Hahaha. [H-L]

None of us here think Alison Grimes’ transition team warrants an entire story so we’re just going to link to one about it. But really – Julian Carroll and Teresa Isaac handling the budget?! HAHAHA. [WFPL]

What was that, again, about hospice not being a booming, money-making industry? [Bloomberg]

23 double-dippers in New Jersey are pocketing millions of dollars. The same thing is happening in Frankfort. [NJ Watchdog]

Ben Chandler finally decided to wake up and he’s asking questions about the potential closure of the Lexington post office. [WLEX18]

According to a poll from the Harvard Institute of Politics: Young Iowa voters are less excited and passionate about the 2012 election than they were in 2008. [Press Release]

With a whopping 60% of death penalty cases in Kentucky getting overturned, you’d think it would be common sense to suspend this murderous practice. [Ronnie Ellis]

There’s a lot from Louisville today regarding Greg Fischer and the disastrous Metro Animal Services. A former employee speaks up about Fischer’s bogus claims, the director says something stupid about the press and a Republican on Metro Council shows some real leadership. Can you imagine what a disaster Fischer would have been if he were elected to the United States Senate? [The 'Ville Voice Here, Here & Here]

You ever read something that makes your eyes roll back into your head? Of course you have. Don’t worry, though, it’s just part of a push from the paper that will always apologize for Greg Fischer and Steve Beshear. [Al Cross & Editorial Board]

No, Kentucky isn’t tops in the nation for business as the Democrats (and sometimes Republicans) would have you believe. It’s merely 25th on the Forbes list. [Business First]

It’s only a matter of time until Kentucky gets wise to the ways of the rest of the world. Japan’s cities aren’t able to sustain their young populations and youth are turning to rural areas. [BBC]

According to the White House, Secretary Ken Salazar will kick off the National RV Trade Show in Louisville tomorrow. [Press Release]

Mitch McConnell says Democrats sabotaged the supercommittee. Funny, because most everybody says Mitch McConnell was the one doing the damage. [The Hill]

We understand that Ben Chandler has helped kill the nation’s economy. But President Barack Obama? Not quite. [WFPL]

That Forbes thing we told you about this morning? Steve Beshear’s office wasted a press release on it. For real. [Yet Another Press Release]

You need to refer to this reading guide on congressional dysfunction and corruption in Washington. [Pro Publica]

Too little, too late? We don’t think so. Schools are pushing for more parental involvement at home to help turn things around. [C-J/AKN]

We told you some crazy shiz was going on in London lately. You’ve gotta check this latest mess out involving a dog. [WKYT]

49 Middlesboro residents are suing nine coal companies for flood damages. Here’s betting that mess gets settled right away. [H-L]

Bored immigration agents are now also trying to deport U.S. citizens like woah. Gotta protect our white women, you know. [Wonkette]

Job discrimination complaints have hit an all-time high because the United States is awesome right now. [HuffPo]

Is Damon Thayer refusing to comment about redistricting because he wants to run against Ben Chandler? [Ryan Alessi]

Jack Conway is urging the FTC to limit alcohol servings in Four Loko. Apparently, Jack is now the alcohol expert? [Press Release]

Louisville’s mainstream media continues to ignore the disaster Greg Fischer continues to allow at Metro Animal Services. It’s a huge deal and costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. There’s even a $500,000 deficit. You need to pay attention to this and raise living hell. [The 'Ville Voice]

$200 million is now available for round three of Race to the Top. Kentucky will yet again lose out on all of it. [Yet Another Press Release]

Poop deck alert. The terlits are failing on the fancy new George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier. [Wonkette]

Everybody is freaking out over the redistricting nightmare facing Kentucky. And Frankfort wants to waste all your money just to talk about it while maybe accomplishing nothing. [H-L]

This is the American divide and you probably won’t hear the end of this for quite some time. [HuffPo]

What ate dineysores? Old crocodiles. Even in their prime, dineysores were not quite as dominant as they’re made out to be. Ark Parkers will hate this story. [The Economist]

The Lexington Salvation Army is in desperate need of donations. Baby formula and such! Get involved. Give back. [WLEX18]

Clay County is the land of disaster. If it’s bad? It’s going to happen in Clay County. Like this. [WLEX18]

Why is it necessary to send out a press release from a lobbyist group telling me a former KDP staffer has been hired? Really? Wow. [Yet Another Press Release]

A Magoffin County man was sentenced to 21 months for vote buying. You’re totally shocked. [H-L]

Check out these IMPORTANT MEEMAW BLOOPERS:

HAHA – “Hot damn!” We almost died laughing.

The Congressional Budget Office’s figures are throwing cold water on the Mitch McConnell cuts-only approach in Warshington. [Politico]

Sorry, but many Democrats didn’t ride Steve Beshear’s coattails. Alison Lundergan Grimes certainly didn’t. Adam Edelen didn’t. Todd Hollenbach may have, though. [The Morehead News]

Folks are finally starting to realize that the Democratic successes in 2011 will not necessarily carry over to 2012 for people like Ben Chandler. [Kentucky Public Radio]

You mouth-breathers can complain all day long about me calling Rand Paul a media whore. But don’t tell me he’s not whoring. Four right-wing radio appearances in a single evening and promoting it on Twitter? That’s some first-rate media whoring. [Twitter]

Surely not! A Kentucky company used dirty tricks in an attempt to get a federal contract. [H-L]

Len Press, the founder of Kentucky Educational Television, will turn 90 tomorrow. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray has declared November 10 “Len Press Day” in Lexington. [History of KET]

Is it time for David Williams to ante up when it comes to the expansion of gambling in Kentucky? Not if five race tracks are going to OWN the constitutional right to gambling in Kentucky. It needs to be open for anybody to bid – not just race tracks. Otherwise it’s a fucking farce rigged to help only the already-wealthy track owners. [Paulick Report]

Are your eyes rolling back in your head? It’s because of all of the out-of-staters trying to talk about Kentucky when they clearly haven’t a clue. The fact that they think Kentucky is in play in 2012 is earth-shatteringly hilarious. [Deep Outsider Failures]

We hear there were a whole lot of hookers who got paid handsomely last night by both Democrats and Republicans. [Deep Hooker Thoughts]

Miss last night’s election results? Check the final numbers out. [Page One]

Here’s how the out-of-state press is looking at Steve Beshear’s win over David Williams. [CNN, Chicago Tribune, Politico, LA Times, WaPo]

The outsiders apparently think Ben Chandler has a tough row to hoe in 2012 and they’re probably right. Candy Barr is going to give him a run for his money and will likely teabag him often. [USA Today]

First the gays came to redecorate. Then they came to make everybody vote. Might as well scare the bejeebers out of meemaw and poppop. [Wonkette]

Sexytime Herman Cain and his gross campaign manager are now just making shiz up about people. This is the dumbest thing we’ve heard in a week. [HuffPo]

Who will be the next federal judge from the Western District of Kentucky? The delegation to make the nomination is silent. It’s absolutely hilarious that Jennifer Moore is campaigning for the job. [C-J/AKN]

200 people are being laid off with a plant closure in Barbourville. Yet another instance of all those jobs Steve Beshear has “created.” [H-L]

Ohio rejected the right-wing ignorance of limiting the rights of organized labor. You can expect the same outcome here in the Commonwealth if any mouth-breathers try to pull that stunt. [NY Times]

President Barack Obama says his biggest task remaining is to “fix” U.S. politics. That’s just not possible at this stage of the game. [Reuters]

If Bill Clinton can admit when he’s wrong or doesn’t know something, why can’t people like Mitch McConnell and Ben Chandler? [Politico]

According to the latest reports, Rick Perry’s tax “plan” loses nearly $1 trillion. That’s sure to put America back on its feet. [Reuters]

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives got gigantic housing bonuses. With your tax dollars. [Politico]

The Senate rejected Rand Paul’s amendment to divert more funds for bridge repairs in Kentucky and other states. Of course, that would be while prohibiting repairs on historic bridges in places like Brooklyn. Rand said he would get it done and look what’s happening – nothing. [C-J/AKN]

If Steve Beshear’s Ark Park bullshiz wasn’t enough for Kentucky, now we’ve gotta deal with David Williams attacking non-Christians. I’d love for him to get in my face telling me not to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster here in these United States. [Mother Jones]

WPSD in Paducah is pissed that Steve Beshear is using its footage in his campaign ad. The station says it doesn’t reflect area views. [WPSD]

Despite ethics rules, Congress’ travel junkets are creeping back up. That means Ben Chandler is back to wasting tens of thousands of dollars and embarrassing Kentucky. [USA Today]

Thinking of Mitch McConnell as a puppet, as Harry Reid wants you to do, is surprisingly easy to do. As in – he comes off as an actual puppet. Muppet, maybe. [The Hill]

Kentucky students’ scores on the “National Report Card” show only slight change, according to the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress. [H-L]

Amen. When you’re a multimillionaire executive with important responsibilities like serving up dangerously unhealthy anusburger pizza pie to obese chain-smoking Americans, there’s always some tramp yelling about how you hurt her feelings or sexually harassed her or whatever, because the little people are always nipping at the heels of the Important People. [Wonkette]

Could Herman Sexytime Payoff Cain be dumber than both Sarah Palin and Michele Beard Bachmann combined? This latest incident suggests that may be the case. [HuffPo]

While David Williams’ dumb ass rant about participating in a non-Jesus moment is, you know, dumb, we’re not so sure Steve Beshear wants to be hopping around Kentucky talking about what’s “pathetic and desperate.” [WKYT]

Shocker! The Koch-teabagger-backed climate denier is finally admitting that global warming is real. [HuffPo]

The KDP ignorantly filed a complaint against David Williams that walks in the face of a complaint they fought against in 2008. Thankfully, though, Joe Gerth decided to mention what happened in 2008 in this story. [Joe Gerth]

WOOOOOOOOPS? The mine where two were killed had a highway citation in April. Meanwhile, Steve Beshear wants to decrease regulations. [WKYT]

The orange man is at the University of Louisville today and it is sure to be a boring ass speech. [WFPL]

It’s interesting to note that Jerry Abramson has ditched the jowl bacon talking point from his interview language. Guess no one in the mountains thought that was authentic. [H-L]

$420,000 in grants were awarded for domestic violence programs in Richmond and Ben Chandler showed up. But he’s still an advocate of wire hanger back room abortions. [Richmond Register]

Of course David Williams is the only candidate in this gubernatorial race with a real plan and Rand Paul endorsed him. Unfortunately, it’s too little, too late. [BGDN]

How fitting for a foreclosure mill law firm to celebrate Halloween by dressing up as homeless families. [Wonkette]

While everyone in Louisville is wetting their pants over the opening of Trader Joe’s, it’s probably a good idea for them to think with their heads for a minute. Maybe ask a few questions about why the store refuses to support a policy for tomato pickers that even McDonald’s and Yum! support. [FOX41]

Is this why the haves have so much more than the have nots? [NPR]

Air pollution is tied to lung cancer in non-smokers. But we don’t need to worry about pollution in Kentucky, right? [Reuters]

No one on earth believes the U.S. Congress is going to be able to do what it needs to do to save this country from fiscal disaster. [WaPo]

Student debt risks are becoming an enduring burden for young Americans and they should be lightened. Just too bad that those who really need their load lightened will never have that happen. It’s only for folks who don’t already have said load. [The Economist]

Gateweed Galbraith scored the coveted High Times endorsement in his gubernatorial bid. That’s sure to win him, what, five more votes? [HT]