Stats

8664 Releases Bridges Project Polling Data

8664 today released polling data indicating strong community support for an east end bridge in Louisville. The poll of 500 Jefferson County registered voters was conducted January 21 – 24, 2008 by FREDERICKpolls of Arlington, Virginia and has a margin of error of +/- 4.3%.

“Despite what you might read in the Courier-Journal’s Forum section, the East End Bridge continues to be the least expensive and most widely supported portion of the Bridges Project on both sides of the river. The facts just don’t support the Downtown Bridge and Spaghetti Junction expansion,” said 8664 co-founder JC Stites.

From the polling memo:

“By 66% to 27%, more metro Louisville voters say the most important bridge priority is to build a new East-end bridge, not a downtown bridge. In the East-end, preference for an east river crossing jumps to 76-20. Meanwhile, majorities in South and Central parts of the county also prioritize an East-end bridge first and even in West Louisville, more support on an East-end bridge than a downtown bridge.”

Tyler Allen said the organization collected the data last year for internal purposes, but decided to share findings now because there “seems to be a concerted effort to distort the facts about the Bridges Project.” He went on to say, “We fully expect the Courier-Journal’s editorial board to try to discredit this information, so we would gladly split the cost of commissioning a new poll to assess the public’s opinion on this $4.1 Billion project that will shape our city for generations.”


Other findings:

  • 86% said an east end bridge is more of a good idea “because it will provide a by-pass around Louisville” than say it is a bad idea
  • 72% have a positive reaction to a transportation plan that includes building “an east-end bridge to connect (I-265 in Kentucky to I-265 in Indiana.”
  • 74% are positive toward a transportation plan that “simplifies Spaghetti Junction and eliminates the bottlenecks associated with weaving traffic.”
  • 59% would make fixing the Spaghetti Junction interchange a priority in any transportation plan that is implemented.

Click here for a copy of the polling memo. (Warning: PDF Link)

Thursday Morning Dept of Receiving Threats

Motorcycle deaths in Kentucky have more than tripled since the 1998 repeal of the state’s mandatory helmet law. The situation has a former governor calling for reinstatement of the statute. Tony McVeigh takes an in-depth look at the issue. Give it a read/listen. [Kentucky Public Radio]

Joe got his hands on Daniel Mongiardo’s FEC report in the big city of Warshington. It confirms everything I have reported. So suck on that, Lt. Dan, and stop with your ridiculous threats. And, no, I didn’t get anything off Kim’s computer while he was at his house – I got it from your campaign staffers. But thanks for proving that the document was legit by telling folks I “hacked” it from Kim. [Barefoot & Progressive]

While we’re talking about Lt. Dan, let’s go over this: E-Health is a major campaign issue for him. The Governor removed him from the E-Health Committee. Adventure Tourism is also a major campaign issue for him. Guess what? Removed from that mess, as well. So what’s that gonna mean at Fancy Farm when Lt. Dan is rattling on and on about E-Health this and E-Health that? This should send a major message that all is not well between the Governor and Lt. Dan. Should also send a clear message that the Governor doesn’t trust him enough to deal with two issues he proclaims are the most important to him. Where’s the mainstream media on this? [Just Some Thoughts]

Robin Webb is opening up about her past problems. Temporary suspension of her law license, domestic abuse and bankruptcy. Wow. That kind of opening up is what’ll get her elected. It’s the kind of honesty more Kentucky legislators should practice. [Bluegrass Politics]

Kentucky’s U.S. Senate candidates and those afraid to announce a full-on candidacy attended Kentucky County Judge Executive Association gatherings in the big city. Rand Paul admitted he’s an outsider – and he his. He hasn’t raised enough money inside Kentucky to prove he’s got support. What Ronnie doesn’t mention is that Lt. Dan gave his “We’re Gonna Beat Jim Bunning!” speech to the crowd – which is not what you want to do in front a crowd that is up to 50% Republican. [Ronnie Ellis]

There’s a new on the Facebook machine sponsored by Roger Ford and the Kentucky Energy Forum. It’s called the “Coal Mining Rally Against Cap-and-Trade/Coalminers’ Appreciation Day.” It’s at the Knott County Sportsplex, 700 Kenny Champion Loop in Soft Shell, KY. Saturday, August 1, from noon til 4:00 – right during Fancy Farm. I’m sure it’ll be fun pretending that those who support cap-and-trade hate coal. But wouldn’t it be more fun for them to show up at Fancy Farm, where they could really cause a scene? [Facebook]

Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are foaming at the mouth about health care. But where’s their plan, other than giving the wealthiest Americans yet another tax cut? [LA Times]

Adopted Kentuckian Achim Bergmann’s firm, The Baughman Company, made the big news this week. [Roll Call]

Annual Hate Crimes Report Released

Yesterday the State Justice Cabinet released its annual report on hate crimes.

Here are some highlights:

  • Race was the most common motivation for hate crimes in Kentucky in 2007 (68 percent), according to KSP reports. Of those incidents, 92 percent were anti-black. The second most common motivation for hate crimes was sexual orientation (16 percent). Of those incidents, 67 percent were anti-male homosexual and 22 percent were anti-female homosexual.
  • 30 percent of all hate crimes in Kentucky occurred in a residence/home, according to KSP reports, while 20 percent occurred in a school/college, and 13 percent occurred in a highway/road/alley/street. Of all hate crimes reported in Kentucky, 54 percent involved the offense of intimidation, and 27 percent involved the offenses of destruction/damage/vandalism.
  • A comprehensive search of local Kentucky newspapers revealed 21 incidents of hate activity in 2007 ranging from racist graffiti to a noose left on an African-American family’s lawn.
  • The Anti-Defamation League identified five extremist events held in Kentucky in 2007. These events included white supremacist demonstrations, an annual Ku Klux Klan gathering, and an annual white power rally and music festival.
  • In FY 2007, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights received 2,850 phone calls and letters from potential victims of discrimination in Kentucky. A total of 423 complaints alleging illegal discrimination were filed. Up from 383 in 2006, this marked the highest number of complaints in the agency’s 47-year history.

Click here to view the full report.

A Look at Rand Paul’s FEC Report

First and foremost, we’ve gotta state that Rand Paul’s “exploratory” campaign needs to get with the program. His staff needs to hone its knowledge of FEC requirements. There are dozens of problems with his first finance report, but the issue most likely to get him audited? Reporting individuals employed as “self.” The Federal Election Commission requires that a campaign report individuals who are self-employed as being employed by their name. Example: If Jane Beshear is employed by herself, her employer is “Jane Beshear.” Then you list the line of work she’s in as her occupation. If she’s an equine consultant, you list her as an equine consultant, not merely a “consultant.”

A candidate cannot rely solely on what an individual includes on a contribution form. It is the responsibility of the candidate to get accurate information from each contributor.

Now let’s take a look at some specifics:

  • He received 48 itemized contributions from out-of-state totaling $17,237. That’s 54% of all itemized dollars. And it means that 65% of all itemized contributions were received from outside Kentucky.
  • He received just 26 itemized contributions from in-state totaling $14,777. That’s just 46% of all itemized dollars. And it means that only 35% of all itemized contributions from received from inside Kentucky.

What was that about Rand Paul having all kinds of support inside the Commonwealth? Fact of the matter is, as we said weeks ago, the vast majority of Paul’s support – both financial and political is from outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

This may make it easier to understand:

Out-of-State
48 contributions totaling $17,237
54% of of itemized dollars from out of state
65% of contributions from out-of-state

In-State
26 contributions totaling $14,777
46% of itemized dollars in-state
only 35% of all contributions were in-state

74 total itemized contributions totaling $32,014

For a quick comparison, 93% of Trey Grayson’s contributions were received from Kentuckians.

In addition to contributions, Paul received another $66,658 in unitemized contributions (anything totaling less than $200 doesn’t have to be reported as an individual contribution to the FEC). If Paul’s itemized haul is any indication, the vast majority of unitemized contributions are also from out-of-state. I mean, his own campaign website avoids talking about the fundraising facts because they’re afraid of the devil in the details.

Oh– Paul’s largest expense? He paid $7,000 for his website. A full 7% of his haul went to this.

See all of Rand Paul’s itemized contributions after the jump…

Read moreA Look at Rand Paul’s FEC Report

Highlights From Jim Bunning’s FEC Report

Jim Bunning’s second quarter finance report has finally hit the Federal Election Commission’s website.

Who did this man’s report? They should be fired. Pronto. 100+ (stopped counting at 100) violations for which the the FEC could audit Bunning.

First, let’s look at the breakdown of Bunning’s contributors:

  • 274 itemized contributions
  • 169 out-of-state – that’s 62%
  • 105 in-state – that’s just 38%

What was that about him being strong in-state? The facts say otherwise.

Here are some other highlights from the report:

  • $82,643.33 in operating expenditures for the quarter. Wow!
  • $171,335 in itemized contributions
  • Only $26,488.70 in unitemized contributions
  • Tons of money from physicians
  • Tons from big tobacco
  • Tons from big banking
  • NORPAC contributed multiple times
  • All kinds of cash from oil & gas
  • Dozens of health care & banking PACs
  • Tons of money from insurance and energy industries
  • On April 1st he spent $14,273 on polling with Tarrance Group
  • $203.81 to GoDaddy.com as “computer maintenance” – which isn’t possible, as it’s a domain name registrar and hosting provider
  • $1,300-$1,500 per week on Delta Airlines flights. Was the man flying First Class? Goodness.
  • $8,277.50 on April 8th to rent a private jet from Paramount Business Jets
  • $684.93 every month for “auto lease payments” to Toyota Financial Services

This isn’t going to bode well for the U.S. Senator from Southgate.

Wet, Hot Kentucky Summer Weekend Is Here

The Kentucky Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the public funding case involving the University of the Cumberlands. Thursday, September 24 at 11:00 A.M. The Kentucky Fairness Alliance initiated the case in 2006 and challenges $11 million in state funds being appropriated to a private, religion-based institution. [Press Release]

Bill Caylor pleaded guilty. Turns out Caylor has allegedly physically and emotionally abused his wife for years. And on May 7th he allegedly dragged her from her table in a restaurant and pulled her into the parking lot by her arm. So there you have it. King Coal is allegedly a WIFE BEATER. Click the clicky for his mugshot, ladies. [John Cheves]

If it looks like it and smells like it, it probably is… OUCH. [Barefoot & Progressive]

Another day, another backwater jab at non-whites. Surprise, surprise. [Marcus Carey]

Ten things you didn’t know about Mitch McConnell. No mention of his suspicious military discharge. No mention of his ties to Red China. [U.S. News & World Report]

While we’re on top tens, check Chris Cillizza’s list of the ten most influential Republicans: (least influential to most influential) John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, Bob McDonnell, Chris Christie, Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney. [Washington Post]

According to the latest Business First poll, 69% of people don’t think Jerry Abramson should run for re-election. A mere 31% believe that he should. Guess his days as King Shiz are coming to an end. [Business First]

Speaking of Jerry, Gabe Bullard confirms that there will not be an announcement next Tuesday. Opening up the possibility that our Monday rumor is legit. Who knows? We just love rumors. [WFPL’s The Edit]

OMG! David Tandy might have grown some balls! He’s traveling to Baltimore to inspect the books of Cordish Companies. Don’t hold your breath for him to return with anything substantial, however. [The ‘Ville Voice]

How Much Has the OAG Saved You?

Lately, a handful of Daniel Mongiardo’s supporters have spent every breath attacking Jack Conway. Many of them alleging that his office has accomplished nothing.

Rather than go into extreme detail (who has the attention span? ugh) about every great legalistic shenanigan that’s taken place involving the Office of the Attorney General, we thought it’d be a good idea to see some real numbers. Actual dollars that the OAG has saved or secured for Kentucky that impacts each and every one of us.

Consumer Protection
Includes civil penalties, restitution, recovery of investigative costs

2008 – $5,665,211.24
2009 – 1,105,250.45
Total – $6,770,561.69

Medicaid Fraud
Includes global settlements and average wholesale price lawsuits

2008 – $25,687,988.09
2009 – $37,927,452.83
Total – $63,615,440.92

Office of Rate Intervention
Saves Kentuckians from unnecessary utility rate increases

2008 – $91,487,876
2009 – Pending
Total – $91,487,876

Total benefit for Kentucky taxpayers?

$161,873,878.61