Latest news with #KentuckyLantern
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Stevenson gets fundraising lead in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District
State House Representative and Minority Leader Cherlynn Stevenson leaves the stage after speaking on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, during the Mike Miller Memorial Marshall County Bean Dinner. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern) In the race for money in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, former Kentucky House Democratic caucus chair Cherlynn Stevenson has gained the lead. Stevenson surpasses the candidates who have announced so far in cash, with a campaign total of more than $210,000 in two months. That's all from contributions. Stevenson has not loaned her campaign any money. Congressional candidates were required to submit finance reports for activities for April through June with the Federal Election Commission by Tuesday. The primary election for the seat is in May. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, is running for U.S. Senate in 2026. Stevenson's donors include several elected Kentucky Democrats, including state lawmakers Sen. Reggie Thomas, Rep. Erika Hancock and Rep. Adrielle Camuel. Former state lawmakers Rep. Angie Hatton and Rep. Rachel Roberts also contributed to Stevenson's campaign. Stevenson received a donation from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC this quarter of $5,000. 'As this first round of fundraising reports shows, Cherlynn has real momentum right off the bat and is in a strong position headed into this next quarter,' Jason Perkey, Stevenson's campaign manager, said in a statement. 'We're not taking anything for granted — we have our foot on the gas, and we're not letting up.' Stevenson's campaign said 77% of the donations were $25 or less, and most of its donations were from Kentuckians. Donations came from more than half of Kentucky's 120 counties, including all the counties in the 6th Congressional District, the campaign said. Stevenson has raised more than any Democratic candidate in their first quarter in the congressional district within the last decade, her campaign added, including former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath in 2018 and Josh Hicks, a Marine veteran and local attorney, in 2020. The campaign of David Kloiber, another Democrat vying for the seat, reported to the FEC that he has a total of $138,795 for the quarter. That includes $97,000 in self-loans from the candidate and about $42,000 in contributions. Kloiber is a former Lexington council member and announced his campaign in June. On the GOP side, Winchester state Rep. Ryan Dotson has garnered about $96,000 since getting into the race. According to Dotson's filing with the FEC, he received some support from two political action committees — $2,000 from the Louisville Apartment Association PAC and $5,000 from the National Apartment Association PAC. He raised more than $35,000 in contributions. Dotson loaned his campaign $60,000. In a phone interview with the Kentucky Lantern, Dotson called from Washington, D.C, Wednesday afternoon, where he has met with advisers to President Donald Trump, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson's political team, U.S. House GOP Whip Tom Emmer's team and more Republican politicos. Dotson's campaign formally kicked off in June, which is when he began fundraising, he said. 'We're on track to do really, really well, but we started off fundraising right at the end of the quarter. So, we have several fundraisers scheduled,' Dotson said. 'We have several donors, different groups of donors, that will be giving pockets of money.' As for his meetings in the Capital, Dotson said he's 'established some great relationships' and get more insight on his campaign. 'I'm very engaged when it comes to my stance on conservative issues,' Dotson said. 'So, I will be up here pushing back against the woke agenda. I'll be up here pushing back on things that I feel are detrimental to our nation and our families. A lot of that stuff does stir me up, and I've done it on the House floor in Frankfort, but I want to be able to come and do it here in Washington, D.C., as well.' Richmond Republican state Rep. Deanna Gordon announced her campaign after the reporting quarter ended, so her campaign did not have to file financial reports this time. Dr. Ralph Alvarado, the 2019 running mate of former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, said in a social media post last week that he is considering a run for the seat. Alvarado had been serving as the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health but recently stepped down from the position. He is also a former Kentucky state senator. This story was updated with additional comments Wednesday afternoon.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University of Louisville shuts down employee groups in response to Kentucky anti-diversity law
Students walk across the University of Louisville campus. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) The University of Louisville has disbanded the UofL Women's Network and four other employee groups in response to a new state law. A former president of one of the disbanded groups criticized the action, telling the Kentucky Lantern it goes further than required by the Republican legislature's new ban on diversity initiatives in public higher education. Ricky Jones, former president of the UofL Black Faculty/Staff Association and professor of Pan-African Studies, said the employee resource groups provided safe spaces for underrepresented people and allowed them to have 'a unified voice to speak to the administration about issues.' Jones criticized administrators at UofL and other universities for bowing to political pressure on decisions about diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. He predicted the assault on diversity in Kentucky higher education will 'get worse before it gets better.' 'Higher education in Kentucky, for Black folk in particular, and for other groups that are being targeted, I think it's a lost cause at this point, unless something drastic changes. And we don't have leadership at these schools that are committed to making those types of changes, so we're in trouble.' In addition to the groups for Black and women faculty and staff, UofL has eliminated the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association; Hispanic Latino Faculty and Staff Association; and the LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association. After a review, some university resource groups 'were deemed not to be' in compliance with the new law, said UofL spokesperson John Karman. 'Our Employee Success Center will continue to explore ways to support meaningful engagement and to ensure all UofL faculty and staff are valued and supported,' Karman added. Employee resource groups, or ERGs, were created to 'promote a climate of inclusion and provide a place where employees can come together to network, create a strong sense of community, and share their concerns,' according to a now-removed UofL web page description. Earlier this year, Kentucky's Republican-controlled General Assembly passed House Bill 4, which eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and resources at all public universities and colleges within the commonwealth. The universities were directed to enact changes to meet the law's requirements by June 30, 2025. UofL and Kentucky's other public universities began reviewing policies in the spring shortly after the law was passed. Eastern Kentucky University adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy and a resolution saying EKU plans to comply with the law in May. Before the 2025 legislative session, the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University disbanded their diversity offices amid scrutiny of DEI programs nationally. UofL President Gerry Bradley outlined how university administration reviewed programs and resources for compliance with the law in a June 27 email to campus. That included work groups reviewing areas of 'position analysis; policy analysis; admissions, financial aid and scholarships; and athletics.' The work group submitted recommendations to UofL's legal counsel and a Board of Trustees committee. The board considered policy changes during a June 26 meeting. Bradley wrote in his email that decisions to implement changes 'were difficult to make in the face of our work to build a culture of belonging — a culture that supports all, that is welcoming of all and reflects our community of care.' He acknowledged that people 'have felt hurt and abandoned during this process,' adding that he has 'heard your voices and understand the feelings expressed.' 'Let me assure you that I stand by my commitment to support and celebrate all of our community and meet their needs,' Bradley said. 'This matter will continue to spark important and necessary conversations about ideas of belonging, success, access to higher education and more. 'With this challenge comes an opportunity for all of us to remain committed to making the University of Louisville a place where we embrace differences and celebrate uniqueness. We will continue to do so with compassionate and steadfast resolve.' Jones, the UofL professor, said the university's actions speak louder than the president's words. He said the state's new anti-DEI law makes no mention of the kinds of employee groups that UofL ordered dismantled and said administrators chose to be 'more aggressive about anti-diversity moves' than the bill required. 'Either they agree with the uber-conservative legislators coming out of Frankfort who are doing real and meaningful harm to Black people, LGBTQ people and others' or 'they just don't care,' Jones said. 'I think it's just a feeling of hopelessness there right now,' he said. 'It's to the point now even those of us who have spoken out over the years, it's like, 'Speak out for what?' This is over.'
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky GOP senators praise laws to go into effect Friday
Senate president Robert Stivers answers questions during a press conference in the new temporary Senate chambers on Wednesday. The GOP leaders addressed bills passed during the 2025 legislative session, some of which will go into effect on Friday. (Kentucky Lantern photo by David Stephenson) FRANKFORT — Celebrating the passage of a swath of GOP policies this year, Senate Republican leaders, joined by constitutional officers, on Wednesday highlighted laws that will go into effect Friday. The senators also unveiled the temporary quarters where lawmakers will convene while the Capitol undergoes renovations over the next few years. The new building stands next to the Capitol Annex in Frankfort. It is unclear at this point if the Republican-controlled General Assembly will need to reconvene before January for a special session to allocate more dollars toward Kentucky communities recovering from storm damage in recent months, the Republican senators said. In 2026, the General Assembly will deliberate the next two-year state budget. Most laws the General Assembly passed earlier this year are set to take effect Friday, as per the Kentucky Constitution. Bills that aren't general appropriates or have emergency causes go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. The new laws include: Senate Bill 2, which ends hormone treatments for transgender inmates in Kentucky prisons. Senate Bill 19, which requires public schools to observe a daily moment of silence and permits off-campus 'moral instruction.' Senate Bill 84 says that Kentucky courts should interpret laws without referring to a state agency's interpretation of them, much like the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down the precedent of the Chevron deference at the federal level. House Bill 45 aims to limit foreign influence in Kentucky elections for ballot measures, like a constitutional amendment. House Bill 342 requires high school students to take a financial literacy course before graduating. Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise, of Campbellsville, said that the more than 100 new laws are 'each a product of thoughtful policy making' through the legislative process. 'Together, they reflect the core concern priorities embraced by the Kentucky General Assembly, the supermajorities, and those priorities — lowering taxes, better schools, safer communities and a government that serves the people,' he said. Legislators are in the midst of the interim session, where committees with House and Senate members meet to discuss policies and review reports ahead of the next legislative session. Some of those groups also include special task forces, like the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Kentucky Task Force. Senate President Robert Stivers pointed to the group as a way to study how to make health care more accessible at a time when Medicaid funding is in the national spotlight. A U.S. House bill approved last month included a $793 billion cut to Medicaid funding over the next decade and is now in the U.S. Senate. Stivers said that focusing on supporting farm-to-table agriculture programs could be a way to promote 'healthier lifestyles' naturally with fresh produce on Kentucky tables. 'This will help with the A1C, the blood pressure, all the other health care indices that we have that are poor in this state,' Stivers said. Weeks ago, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said he would likely call a special session of the legislature to allocate more funding to communities affected by storms earlier this year, including tornadoes. However, the Senate leaders were not sure if a session would be needed at this point. 'We're waiting to see what the governor's numbers are and the money that has been allocated for these specific events and see how the executive branch has been addressing them,' said Senate Republican Caucus Chair Robby Mills, of Henderson. 'There was quite a substantial amount of storm damage. It does take time to recover. And we've got a few months until we're back in session.' The General Assembly approved a bill to set up a state aid fund for response to floods before it adjourned this year. That included raising a cap the legislature had placed on emergency spending by the Beshear administration without lawmakers' approval. Stivers said if Beshear needs more money, lawmakers can do a one-day session to approve funds. The Senate pPresident had previously vowed that lawmakers were ready to provide any necessary funding for recovery. After this year's session adjourned, legislative furniture and items were moved into the temporary chamber, and Stivers added that the space would be functional if a special session is called before January. 'It will be ready July 1, flip the switch and have anything necessary done in it that we need to do,' Stivers said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ethics complaint heard against Kentucky lawmaker Grossberg in day-long closed hearing
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission meets in a closed session with Democratic Rep. Daniel Grossberg, of Louisville, June 17, 2025, at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) FRANKFORT — A Louisville Democrat who has been accused of inappropriate behavior toward women in and out of Frankfort appeared Tuesday in a hours-long closed door session with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The commission took no final action on the matter Tuesday. Rep. Daniel Grossberg's attorney Thomas E. Clay told reporters after his client left shortly before 5 p.m. that they could not comment on the matter. Grossberg and his lawyer were in the meeting throughout the executive session. The commission also called various witnesses, including women who work in politics, former Democratic Kentucky House caucus leaders and workers from a Louisville strip club. The hearing was held in the Capitol Annex but closed to the public. Grossberg has been expelled from the House Democratic Caucus and faces calls from within his party to resign his legislative seat following allegations against him for inappropriate behavior toward women, as reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader last year. In a separate investigation, the Legislative Research Commission questioned women about inappropriate text messages sent to them by Grossberg. Later, the strip club, Foxys Gentlemen's Club, told the Herald-Leader it banned Grossberg for life after he inappropriately touched a dancer. Grossberg had attempted to sway Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate to block Tuesday's proceeding but the judge dismissed the motion Monday afternoon. House Democrats sought the investigation by the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. However, what exactly is in the complaint against Grossberg, as well as any investigation findings, are not publicly known though some details have been reported by media outlets. Kentucky law makes the ethics commission's proceedings, including complaints and other records related to a preliminary inquiry, confidential until the commission makes a final determination. Members of the Legislative Ethics Commission met in an executive session for more than six hours, taking occasional five- to ten-minute breaks. The commission also ate lunch in the closed door session. Grossberg and his counsel were in the room for most of the time. Throughout the day, various witnesses were called into the room Former lawmakers, House Democratic Floor Leader Derrick Graham of Frankfort and Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts of Newport, and House Democratic Caucus Chair Cherlynn Stevenson of Lexington, were at the annex for part of the day. They were in party leadership when the caucus began seeking an investigation from the commission into Grossberg. Roberts and Stevenson were mentioned in Grossberg's dismissed complaint in Franklin Circuit Court. He accused them of seeking a retaliatory investigation from the commission. Neither were defendants in his lawsuit. Three women who were initially anonymously quoted in an August Herald-Leader story and later went public were also at the annex Tuesday. They are Lexington Fayette Urban County Council member Emma Curtis, Kentucky Young Democrats President Allison Wiseman and former Democratic House candidate Sarah Ritter. Workers of Foxys, the Louisville establishment that banned Grossberg, appeared before the commission. Though Kentucky Democrats across the state have been steadfast in their call on Grossberg to resign, he continued to represent the 30th House District in the General Assembly earlier this year. He has gained some primary challengers for the 2026 election. If the commission now finds probable cause that Grossberg committed an ethics violation, it may issue a confidential reprimand or schedule an adjudicatory hearing. It may also choose to dismiss the case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican Party of Kentucky elects officers during state reorganization
Republican Party of Kentucky headquarters in Frankfort. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Tom Loftus) The Republican Party of Kentucky elected a slate of officers that includes previous members of leadership and new members from across the state. Republicans elected the officers during its state reorganization Saturday, according to a Republican Party of Kentucky press release. Chair Robert J. Benvenuti III was reelected to a full four-year term. DeAnna Brangers secured a fourth term as vice chair and Karen Kelly was reelected as secretary. Hunter Whitaker was elected as the new youth chair of the party. Benvenuti said in a statement that he was honored to be reelected as chairman of the party. He was first elected to the role in 2023 after former Chair Mac Brown resigned. 'The success of the Republican Party of Kentucky is built on a foundation of individuals who understand and deeply cherish the conservative values that we as Republicans hold so dear,' Benvenuti said. 'Kentuckians have chosen Republican leadership, and I am absolutely confident that Republicans will continue to see unmatched electoral success in 2026 and beyond. I am grateful for the confidence of the members of the Republican Party of Kentucky, and I look forward to continuing to work with my team to elect strong men and women who share Kentuckians' values and want to build a better Commonwealth for future generations.' The newly-elected state members-at-large are Robbin Taylor, Patrick Jennings, Rob Givens, Sarah Van Wallaghen, Richard Grana, Jon Park, Sam Brown and Carol Rogers. Kentucky Republicans hold supermajorities in both the state House and Senate. Most of the state's constitutional officers and congressional members are Republicans as well. The Kentucky Democratic Party will hold its state convention this weekend.
