Turns out he was arrested for DUI (arraignment tomorrow) in Franklin County.

And he’s mysteriously been moved from Constituent Services to the Department for Local Government. Still making $80,000 per year, though as a staff assistant.

That’s how state government works. If it’s not young Republicans running rampant with perceived power, it’s the Democratic good old boy network protecting their own with mountains of cash.

FRANKFORT –If you Google ‘How often do redistricting plans end up in court?’ you get 134,000 hits in 0.37 seconds.

Somewhere in all those hits, you’ll likely now find ‘Kentucky redistricting 2012.’ A lawsuit challenging the recent state legislative reapportionment has not only been filed, but resulted in a Franklin Circuit Court judge ordering the filing deadline for this year’s House and Senate primary elections be moved back at least a week, to Feb. 7, as he reviews the facts of the case.

For the average citizen, the every-decade drama over redistricting may be slightly mystifying. It sounds like the sort of inside baseball politicians play that doesn’t really affect them.

Why should they care?

Because redistricting determines representation, which is what American democracy is based upon. The end goal is to draw cohesive and population-balanced districts so every Kentuckian has an equal voice in Frankfort and in Washington.

To ensure what the courts have called ‘one person/one vote,’ state and federal law requires legislative district lines to be redrawn every 10 years, after the U.S. Census has been taken and reported. Legal requirements are stiff.

Read the rest after the jump…

Redistricting (not just here, but nationwide, everywhere) has historically been the most highly politicized and deeply personal work any legislative body, at any level, undertakes. Parties hang their hopes and fears for future majority or minority status on it. That’s pretty political. Individual legislators’ careers can be extended or abruptly ended by it. That’s pretty personal. For citizens, it could also mean an old, trusted voice they’ve counted on to speak for them for years is shifted away from them. That’s pretty personal too.

Communities, counties, or regions can see their influence ebb and flow with each ten years’ realignment. Ethnic or majority-minority districts can wax or wane in influence. It all depends on how populations of common interest are concentrated or dispersed when lines are drawn.

Redistricting’s central role in making representative government good government is one reason the courts have taken such a keen interest in it, and laid down so many rules for what’s permissible and what isn’t. For example, splitting counties (which obviously is sometimes necessary) is, still, almost always a bone of contention. That’s one of the central complaints in the pending court challenge, which was initially brought by House Republicans, although others have joined the lawsuit and the Senate plan is part of the case too.

But the impact of the controversy is more than just long-term and philosophical.

As a practical matter, any even-year Legislature rarely takes up divisive or difficult issues until the filing deadline passes and potential electoral opposition (or lack thereof) is known. With this year’s redistricting delay, and resultant uncertainty, that effect is multiplied.

A number of this winter’s marquee items probably won’t be addressed at least until the court speaks next week. That includes most notably the long-awaited casino-gambling bill, said to be written and ready, yet still cloaked. Its presumed sponsor in the Senate said as much Wednesday, and the governor confirmed it Thursday: Redistricting first, then we see the bill.

In fact, the General Assembly didn’t meet at all Friday, to avoid losing a precious (and constitutionally limited) legislative workday from the 60-day session, while things were largely in what one top leader called ‘limbo.’

Meanwhile, another redistricting matter clogged the pipes too this week. Lawmakers themselves voted to extend by one week this year’s campaign-filing deadline for Kentucky’s six congressional seats, as work continues to resolve a House-Senate impasse on a plan to redraw those electoral districts.

Extension of the congressional filing deadline from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 was inserted into a stripped-down version of this session’s initial congressional redistricting bill, House Bill 2, which in its original form ran aground when the Senate substituted its own substantially different plan that the House found wanting . The bill went to conference committee where the two chambers couldn’t agree on a compromise before the filing deadline.

The version of HB 2 that emerged from the conference committee and passed now contains no actual congressional redistricting. It only affects this year’s filing deadline for those federal races.

To begin moving the hoped-for congressional plan through the legislative process again, the House placed its original blueprint in HB 302, and sent it to the Senate so negotiations could resume. Good progress has been hinted at. The House and Senate hope to reach agreement on a final bill before the extended congressional-filing deadline Tuesday afternoon.

Another grocery store in the poorer end of Bowling Green has closed. The food deserts are growing all over the state. [BGDN]

A bunch of Kentucky’s school districts are run by absolute brainless whackadoos, as we’ve proved here time and again. So leaving the drop-out age up to school districts? Really? Well, you get what you pay for. [CN|2]

How long have we been yelling about Frankfort not doing enough to promote the bourbon industry in Kentucky? [H-L]

Remember William Shackleford? He’s got a documentary coming out about black metal called Out of the Black. [Site & Video]

The more things play out in Frankfort, the less likely a gambling bill that will pass seems realistic. Primarily because Steve Beshear still has not met with legislators. [C-J/AKN]

Do America’s infrastructure problems go beyond crumbling roads and bridges? [HuffPo]

How can a police chief in a city the size of Georgetown be “relieved” of his duties without an explanation? [H-L]

Because it seems this story is about to spiral out of control unless some folks in Georgetown start talking about what went down. [WKYT]

A forum is being held on Monday, February 6 from 10:00 A.M. to noon in Booth Auditorium at the University of Pikeville to discuss its potential move into the state system. [News-Express]

Rick Santorum, the political genius, says you will have health care if you stop buying iPads and such. Because you have money for that and all. [Wonkette]

He really is a genius, warning of America’s demise and scaring meemaw and poppop half to death. [HuffPo]

Publisher of A Kentucky Newspaper, Arnold Garson, is retiring on March 2. You knew this was just a temporary dumping ground for him. Did he even bother putting Kentucky plates on his vehicle? [Deep Newspaper Thoughts]

Unfortunately, the governor skipped their gubernatorial forum because he was afraid to debate.

Only Gatewood Galbraith and David Williams bothered to show up.

Here’s the additional information the FEC requested on January 17:

1. Itemized disbursements must include a brief statement or description of why the disbursements were made. Please amend Schedule(s) B, H4 of your report to clarify the following description(s): “Equipment” and “Fundraising Event.” For further guidance regarding acceptable purposes of disbursements, please refer to 11 CFR §104.3(b)(3).

2. Schedule H4 of your report discloses a payment(s) for “Health Insurance Stipend” and “Housing Stipend.” Please be advised that a political committee may maintain a petty cash fund out of which it may make expenditures not in excess of $100 to any person per purchase or transaction. (11 CFR §102.11) However, if this expenditure(s) represents an apparent reimbursement(s) to an individual(s) for apparent travel and subsistence advances in which the total amount reimbursed exceeds $500, there are additional reporting requirements. Please provide clarifying information regarding this activity and amend your report to include any missing information as noted below.

When the reimbursement amount to staff for travel and subsistence advances exceeds $500, the payments by committee staff that make up the reimbursement have to be itemized as memo entries regardless of the amount. Each memo entry must include the complete name and address of the original vendor, as well as the date, amount and an adequate purpose. Schedule H4 should clearly identify which reimbursement each memo entry relates to. (11 CFR §§104.10 and 104.17, and Advisory Opinion 1996-20, footnote 3)

3. Please clarify all expenditures made for “Event Catering” and “Event Tickets” on Schedule H4. If a portion or all of these expenditures were made on behalf of specifically identified federal candidates, this amount should be disclosed on Schedules B, E or F supporting Lines 23, 24 or 25 and include the amount, name, address and office sought by each candidate. (11 CFR § §104.3(b) and 106.1)

Alternatively, if the payment(s) on Schedule H4 is associated with fundraising activity conducted for your committee’s federal and non-federal accounts, it must be allocated according to the funds received method and the ratio reflected on Schedule H2. Further, it must be categorized as a fundraising activity on Schedule H4. Please provide clarifying information regarding the nature of this transaction(s) and amend your report(s) as appropriate.

A response is due by February 21.

Seems the ole KDRP isn’t so keen on providing details about who it pays and whether or not its events benefit specific candidates. As you can likely guess, that runs afoul of the law.

Here’s what the KDP spent in November:

Notable Disbursements

• $200,677.46 on staff
• $2,188.61 on telephone & internet
• $7,513.80 on travel
• $17,132,48 on equipment, supplies, rent
• $5,100.66 on food & events
• $1,051.14 on postage
• $515,000 transfer of federal funds for non-federal (papaw) purposes

We’ll examine the KDRP’s year-end report – along with the Republican Party of Kentucky’s report – in a later post.

KDRP folks will attack in 3, 2…

Have you seen this hilarity? Damon Thayer is attacking the Herald-Leader for “misleading” despite everything reported by John Cheves being 100% accurate. Damon IS refusing to release the identify of his horsey and gambling clients. So, naturally, he’s gotta queen out about being held to the same standards that everyone else is held to. [Twitter]

According to the latest polling, Binack Nobama wins against both Mittens and Toot. [Daily Kos]

While Chris Hightower had some problems in 2010 over MySpace, the postings weren’t his and Kenny Coleslaw’s decision not to include those details is unfortunate. While it really was stupid of Hightower to have left the comments made by others on his profile for as long as he did, that should be detailed in a mainstream story. The real issue is that Hightower was stupid enough to leave bait like that for me to find. The even more real issue is that Rand’s staff (David Adams, who later threw Hightower under the bus with me) was too inexperienced to vet everything. [WFPL]

Prosecutors are warning of layoffs and furloughs if budgets are cut again. So, of course, budgets will be cut again. This is why Kentucky can’t have nice things. [H-L]

This needs to happen to Kentucky’s fetal seance legislation! Hero Virginia state Senator Janet Howell responded to another one of these stoopid bills requiring women seeking an abortion to first undergo a medically pointless ultrasound with a very smart amendment: every man seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction would also by law have to undergo a rectal exam and heart test to get a Viagra prescription. [Wonkette]

Walter Blevins, Jr. and the Senate Democrats thought they were pulling a fast one. They’d planned for him to withdraw at the last minute so no one could get their ducks in a row to file for the spot. Now they’re complaining about making a mistake. [Ronnie Ellis]

Human services are in peril for elderly and disabled Kentuckians. Frankfort does not respect its elders. [Debby Yetter]

Your favorite mormon cultist, Mittens Romney, won the Floriduh primary last night. He’ll soon share details of the white salamander and the planet(s) he believes he will rule in the afterlife or whatever. [HuffPo]

Uh, this burglar was nude and had food rubbed all over his body when police arrived at the Food World in Neon. [WYMT]

A paramedic in Louisville is being ignored by Greg Fischer and most of his administration after an amputation. Meanwhile, the Parks director was allowed to keep his job after driving drunk in a city-owned vehicle, Metro Animal Services is killing more than ever before, the head of the Metro Sewer District was excoriated in an audit but allowed to keep a $200,000 bonus. You can see where their priorities are. [The 'Ville Voice]

Every time we mention Ruth Ann Palumbo and the lack of real legislative ethics in Kentucky, we get threatened. So we’re mentioning the mess again. If Ruth Ann lived in Indiana, she’d probably be facing indictment right now. [Page One]

Some old West Liberty man pleaded guilty to selling mountains of cocaine. Really. Cocaine. All over Eastern Kentucky. [H-L]

Walter Blevins, Jr. has decided not to seek re-election. Eastern Kentuckians aren’t happy about it. [Ruh Ro]

The local press in the Fourth District is paying close attention to Thomas Massie’s candidacy to replace Geoff Davis in the U.S. Congress. [Ashland Independent]

Poor people in the United States pay way more for care insurance than the wealthy. Don’t act like you’re surprised in the least. [HuffPo]

Mitch McConnell’s new revisionist history is about the worst we’ve seen out of him in a long time. [TPM]

One of the sad things about Greg Fischer’s lack of any sort of experience is watching EMS workers like this guy suffer the consequences. [The 'Ville Voice]

Did you know that February is EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS MONTH in Kentucky? The more you know, kids. [SoS]

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services received a $600,000 federal grant – handed over by the Governor’s Office of Electronic Health Information – to connect behavioral health and primary care providers. We can’t help but wonder if those funds wouldn’t be better spent making sure social worker caseloads weren’t outrageous. [Press Release]

Will Warshington do the right thing and stop insider trading by lawmakers? [The Consumerist]

Dear Kenny Coleslaw: You should have included quotes from Steve Beshear saying we WOULD NOT consider tax reform in Kentucky. That would maybe prove he’s lying his ass off about flip-flopping. And it’s not just now that people are talking about this. [WFPL]

Former Rand Paul staffer Chris Hightower filed today to run for the State House. Mainstreamers are clamoring for the opportunity to interview him so they can dredge up the Paul campaign history. They likely won’t mention that all of the shenanigans were caused by David Adams and will attempt to lay all blame at the feet of Hightower. [Page One]

Can you hear them now? The Federal Reserve is making its views heard loudly and clearly. [The Economist]

Remember the McDonald’s incident in 2004 where a crank caller talked a manager into forcing an employee to strip? There’s a film about it. It premiered at Sundance. [Sundance]

A hearing over redistricting maps will be held Monday. So the filing deadline has officially been put on hold in Kentucky. [Ryan Alessi]

The post titled “Be Nobody’s Darling – Alice Walker, Author of the Color Purple” has mysteriously disappeared. Even “An Interesting Encounter” is no more.

So thank goodness this post came to mind:

I was never comfortable blogging. Nearly everyone is doing it these days, yet that doesn’t seem to be reason enough. To just spout off my opinion on some controversial topic nearly every day and expect you to answer seems a bit presumptuous. I have learned if anything, it’s not to be that. What I do like to do is write and record stories in order to understand better the times in which we live.

For that reason, I am going to continue writing but not as a “blogger.” What do I mean by that? Well, I call it “The Chevy S-10 Chronicles”. Now, that begs explanation. First of all, why Chevy S-10? I’ll get to that in a moment but let me first observe that I had this truck long before Scott Brown arrived on the scene and won the Massachusetts primary. I’d put my truck and likely the authenticity of how I came to acquire it up against his explanation any day.

But, onto the story. When my company- owned car went away (for reasons too complicated to go into here), I was in a quandary. I had not owned a car in 20 years. I had been provided a company car as a part of my compensation package.

No, blogging didn’t work out for her.

But you see that bit in bold? Her “company- owned car” that “went away.” Yeah. Sorry we forgot to share that with you a couple years ago.

Wow.

Jury selection began Monday for embattled Ind. Secretary of State Charlie White.

White is charged with seven felonies including voter fraud and perjury. It all stems from allegations that he lied about where he lived in 2010 so he could continue collecting his salary as a member of the town council in Fishers, Ind.

We first wrote about it in November. Then the Herald-Leader picked it up. Then she started a smear campaign. And we pointed out some of the specifics in the KRS that make what she’s doing illegal.

But no one in Frankfort sees this as an issue because she’s a Democrat.

While Hightower is sure to ruffle Democratic feathers over his old MySpace profile from a few years ago, he’s got a good shot. He’s obviously going to beat Jo Orange and Kent Wilson based on name ID and organization alone. If he can raise $45,000-$50,000 – and that’s likely through the Paul network – he could also beat Tom Noe in the general election.

Hightower’s views seem to be much more common sense than the other folks in the race. His past controversy certainly won’t hurt him in the district. The last organization to run and win in the area was Jonathan Hurst’s and they’re not going to step up to the plate this year.

I’ve spoken with Hightower and his folks a bit and I think he’s honestly going to surprise most people. He wants to reform the state pension system and says he won’t participate in the plan, he’s not blaming Barack Obama for all of Kentucky’s problems and he hasn’t once used a recycled Republican Party talking point. While it’s early, it seems like Hightower will be quite an independent candidate.

So. What’s your prediction, folks?