Recent editorials from Kentucky newspapers:
May 7
The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky., on women in the Legislature:
Anyone who has suffered through a testosterone-soaked session of the Kentucky General Assembly can appreciate efforts to get more women into public office, particularly in Frankfort.
The men who largely rule the Legislature are notorious for gridlock, partisan spats and posturing — often, it appears, for motives that have little to do with the issue at hand, let alone the public good. Who can forget the compelling arguments the almost all-male leaders from both chambers made in favor of this year's botched effort to draw new legislative districts?
Ten years ago, their reasoning went, many members got screwed over in the last round of redistricting. Now, they said, it was payback time. Voters may be happy to know House Democrats and Senate Republicans appeared to reach total consensus on that issue.
(Unfortunately, the payback plan was slam-dunked by the courts as unconstitutional, leaving the issue — as so many things are in Frankfort — unresolved).
And it's generally the guys in charge when leaders from both the House and Senate get down to making the real decisions.
In the House, leadership for both parties is a solid bloc of men starting with House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a Prestonsburg Democrat, whose party dominates the 100-member chamber. Same with House Republicans, led by Rep. Jeff Hoover of Jamestown.
The Senate, where Republicans hold the majority, does have one woman in leadership, President Pro Tem Katie Stine of Southgate. But as we all know, one man rules the Republican caucus and thereby, the 38-member chamber, with an iron grip, and that's Senate President David Williams.
And most key committee chairmanships in both chambers, including budget and judiciary, are held by men.
Meanwhile, as reporter Joseph Gerth pointed out, Kentucky ranks 38th in the United States in the percentage of women elected to the state Legislature. Kentucky currently has 25 women lawmakers, 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans.
Democrats are working to change that through a political leadership training program called Emerge Kentucky, with one graduate, Rita Smart of Richmond, in the House and others seeking more legislative seats. Smart, a sharp and motivated member, has been a welcome addition to the chamber.
The Kentucky Republican Party has a program called Women's Roundtable, to identify and encourage potential candidates.
We hope such efforts succeed and women occupy the Legislature and leadership roles in greater numbers. ...
Online:
http://www.courier-journal.com
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May 6
Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader on the governor's Medicaid responsibility:
Like most of the governors before him, Steve Beshear views Medicaid as a beast to be tamed rather than a tool to tackle the sorry state of Kentuckians' health.
But Beshear can't outsource responsibility for poor, sick Kentuckians to low-bidding out-of-state companies or the courts, as much as he might wish he could.
The sooner he comes to grips with that, rolls up his sleeves and dives into problem solving, the better for everyone, especially him, since he's relying on substantial Medicaid savings to avoid more cuts to education and other public services.
One of Beshear's problems fell into the lap of U.S. Senior Judge Karl S. Forester, who ordered that documents in a lawsuit filed by Appalachian Regional Healthcare against one of the three Medicaid managed care contractors be sent to Beshear.
The judge's order loosely translates into, "Psst, guv, pay attention and do your job."
Beshear should pay attention because Kentucky can't make significant economic gains until it deals with the high cost of having so many sick and disabled people. One in three Kentuckians either has no health insurance or is covered by Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor, disabled and elderly.
"The former commissioner had state employees on state time take him hunting and shopping, build a basketball court in his backyard, mow his lawn and even chauffeur his dog," Edelen said. "These are just some of the documented abuses that ought to outrage every Kentuckian."
The Affordable Care Act gives states more flexibility and funding to innovate and increase access to care and coverage. But aside from a few smart moves, such as increasing drug abuse treatment for low-income parents, Beshear hasn't shown much interest in that, either.
The way to really bend the Medicaid cost curve is to bend the obesity, smoking, teen pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, addiction and rotten teeth curves.
We should be hearing about what Medicaid is doing to manage chronic illnesses and promote prevention.
Instead, barely six months in, managed care Medicaid has degenerated into legal skirmishes and sniping over money.
We're in no position to judge the various grievances, but Beshear is. He's also the person who's best able to strongly enforce contract provisions and negotiate new agreements if what's in place is unworkable. ...
A compromise reached May 4 gave 25,000 ARH patients a reprieve until June 30 from having to change doctors or managed care plans.
As welcome as that is, it's a long way from a seamless system of health care.
It's good that House Speaker Greg Stumbo is calling out the managed care companies. Ultimately, though, the responsibility is Beshear's.
Online:
kentucky.com">http://www.kentucky.com
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May 7
Owensboro (Ky.) Messenger-Inquirer on former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer:
State Auditor Adam Edelen's report on former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer was the knockout blow to a once-promising political career.
In his findings, Edelen described the eight years Farmer led the Ag office as a "toxic culture of entitlement and self-dealing at Kentucky taxpayers' expense."
Just as Farmer played the game of basketball so well at the University of Kentucky, he used the same charisma and talent to play the voters of this state.
In both of his re-elections, Farmer, a Manchester Republican, enjoyed easy victories.
He then repaid the voters by hosting what the auditors called "an extravagant conference" that cost the taxpayers $96,000, instructing his staff to buy rifles, rifle cases, knives, cigar boxes, shopping mall gift cards and watches as gifts for the event.
But Farmer didn't stop there.
"The former commissioner had state employees on state time take him hunting and shopping, build a basketball court in his backyard, mow his lawn and even chauffeur his dog," Edelen said. "These are just some of the documented abuses that ought to outrage every Kentuckian."
If you recall, we were just given a teaser in November of Farmer's misdeeds — hiring his girlfriend as his special assistant for $5,000 per month; paying thousands of dollars for hotel rooms that were less than an hour from his home and purchasing refrigerators at the taxpayers' expense for his home office.
No doubt Farmer's success as part of the UK team — nicknamed the "Unforgettables" — afforded him special treatment over the years.
But as a politician, he never learned where the foul line started and ended.
For that sense of entitlement, Farmer is now faced with possible criminal charges and answering to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission for misusing tax money and state workers for his own personal gain.
"The responsibility of holding accountable a man I once cheered as a kid is a grim one," Edelen said. "But the law makes no distinction between icons and the rest of us, and neither do I."
Farmer may not want to admit it, so we'll say it for him: Game over! You played us for the last time.
Online:
http://www.thenewsenterprise.com