Beech Tree News Network

            Local:  The Morgantown City Council, considering its size, took a rather extraordinary step at its monthly meeting last week.  Mayor Billy Phelps announced that the city was looking into the possibility of operating a 12-15 passenger bus in city limits - Morgantown's foray into public transportation.  The mayor appropriately acknowledged  that former Morgantown City Council member Terrell House, whom Phelps defeated to become mayor four years ago, initially floated this idea during that campaign.  It was a good idea then and certainly is now. 

            Given Morgantown's elderly population, this form of public transportation should prove beneficial for doctor's visits, essential shopping, etc.  According to Phelps, a small bus has been donated to the city and hiring a part-time driver is the next step.  Obviously, many additional details will have to ironed out and regulations put in place to ensure efficiency of operation and legal protection for the city.  Also, city officials would be well advised to get a firm grip on what this will cost (ultimately to taxpayers) to establish, operate, and maintain this service - now and at least five years down the road.  Although a good city endeavor for sure, these are the type of projects that can prove more expensive than expected over time. 

            State:  It's been a whirlwind in Kentucky politics over the past few days.  The Kentucky Supreme Court, last week, ruled that the process by which the pension bill, passed earlier this year, was unconstitutional.  Now, Governor Matt Bevin has used his constitutional authority to call a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly to deal with the public pension liability facing the state.  Good for him.

             The governor always intended for this issue to be dealt with in a separate session but that plan was jettisoned last year due to a lack of consensus among lawmakers and some political shenanigans involving a few GOP representatives, including then House Speaker Jeff Hoover.  Despite the expense, a special session will allow legislators to focus solely on the pension crisis and not be sidetracked with all the other distractions that can come with a regular session.  With the compromise legislation passed earlier this year as a blueprint, lawmakers should be well positioned to pass a new piece of legislation in a way that meets constitutional requirements this time around.  I know this will be a tough issue on which to reach a consensus but hopefully one can be forged that will get as much popular support as possible.  In fact, two bills have already been filed. Kentucky desperately needs a real solution to this problem.  The financial security of thousands of public employees (teachers and other state workers) and the fiscal stability of the state depends on it. 

UPDATE:  The Kentucky General Assembly adjourned after only two days.  House Speaker David Osborne indicated that "irresponsible gubernatorial politics" had been inserted into the pension issue in an address to the Chamber on Tuesday night.  This is unfortunate.  It will be interesting to see where we go from here as a state.    

            National:  While both major political parties fiddle (reminiscent of the Roman Emperor Nero), our southern border continues to burn.  More precisely, as neither political party can seem to find a compromise solution for a multitude of issues on our southern border, people continue to die.  For example, a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl died last week in U.S. custody after she and her father were arrested for crossing the border illegally.  According to multiple news reports, the girl, who hadn’t eaten anything for several days, died from dehydration and septic shock just a few hours after being apprehended. This is tragic. 

            The current inaction in Washington on developing a sound immigration policy ensures that the border is not secure, tacitly encourages immigrants to endanger themselves and their family members with illegal crossings, log jams our legal system, poisons our political process with grandstanding and vitriol, and causes deep cultural divisions within our communities.  We deserve better from both parties.    

Dumb Quotes of the Week:  It's a tie.  Here's number one: 

            “This is how cowards run a government.  They’re just raw because they got their hands slapped by the Kentucky Supreme Court for passing a pension bill the last time that was unconstitutional. But we’re headed to Frankfort. We’ll have a presence there. And we’re not happy.”--Nema Brewer, co-founder of KY 120 United.

And number two: 

            “Today’s announcement from Governor Bevin is nothing but a reactionary public temper tantrum from the commonwealth’s highest elected official.  Our state’s financial future will never improve if we keep wasting taxpayer dollars on governing around the people instead of with them.”-- KEA President Stephanie Winkler

            I understand that these two individuals have issues with Governor Bevin and his approach to pension reform - and that's fair game - but to come out attacking with verbal jabs like these simply because the governor exercised his constitutional authority to call for a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly to tackle a serious financial issue facing the state is a little much.

            Parting Shot:  Morgantown City Council took a few minutes out of its meeting last week to honor retiring member Gary Southerland, who chose not to seek reelection.  Southerland, always a gentleman, has devoted much of his spare time to serve his community - both as a member and chairperson of the Butler County Board of Education, as well as serving several years on the Morgantown City Council.  Southerland served in these capacities with distinction, was always respectful, and willing to listen to those with whom he may have disagreed.  He consistently provided a reasoned approach to finding solutions and bringing all sides together.  Our community is better for his service. 

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