Last night President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He’ll be at Ft. Campbell tomorrow. [Press Releases]
Early yesterday the Republican Party of Kentucky questioned the resignation of Jack Conway’s brother. And the scandal lives on. [Page One]
Greg Fischer says we should issue $17.5 million in bonds to help reopen Kentucky Kingdom. What do you think? [C-J/AKN]
Members of the Metro Council say the LG&E franchise agreement is unfair. [WFPL]
Are you tracking the Kentucky Derby post-time favorites? [H-L]
Louisville workers escaped a warehouse downtown just before a wall buckled and collapsed. [FOX41]
The Pegasus Parade is at 5:00 P.M. today. Finally, something that likely won’t be ruined by weather! And it’s fun for the entire family. [WAVE3]
Of interest to those following Humana closely: the U.S. House is set to block an increase in Tricare premiums. [WaPo]
Texas executed its first inmate using a drug that is typically used to euthanize animals – like those at Metro Animal Services. [Reuters]
Really, what’s your take on Greg Fischer’s recommendation that the city issue $17.5 million in bonds to support Kentucky Kingdom? [WHAS11]
You celebrating Cinco de Mayo at el Mundo today? This means you can drink in the daytime. [Consuming Louisville]
The Ohio River is at about a foot above flood stage and warnings remain in effect. We’re all gonna wash away! [C-J/AKN]
4 responses so far ↓
1 The Highlander // May 5, 2011 at 9:25 am
I have, previously, been critical of Mr. Fish’s leadership — using Harvey II as a metaphor. However, on this issue I am ‘growing’ (not there totally) of the opinion that Mr. Fish’s proposal is worthy of serious consideration. My question is not the ‘proposal’ — it’s well-founded in financial safeguards.
My concern is whether Kentucky Kingdom ITSELF is a concept that can succeed over the long haul. With all the competition for the entertainment dollar (which has diminished due to the economy) I don’t see how a business, that’s effectively opened and staffed (with kids) in the summertime can support a $25mm investment — of which 75% is being initially financed by the taxpayers through a bond issue.
So — it’s a solid proposal, financially, but whether the core of the investment makes sense for anything other than a couple hundred summer jobs for some kids is up for grabs. Seems to me it MIGHT BE a lot cheaper just to give a couple hundred thousand to Judy Green and let her hire her ‘crew’ all over again this summer!!!!
2 GtownReader // May 5, 2011 at 9:50 am
Unless we are to meekly continue to allow Kentucky residents & tourists to spend their entertainment dollars in Indiana, & also risk losing convention business, I think SOMETHING has to be done to reopen Ky. Kingdom. Just not sure what the best “something” is…
3 GtownReader // May 5, 2011 at 10:10 am
Re LG&E “franchise fee” TAX –
Once upon a time, as an Urban Services district tax payer, a certain tax rate was imposed that purported to cover the annual provision of 4 (quarterly) junk collections & “x” number of annual street cleanings. But when these numbers were reduced, it seemed to be presented as a temporary emergency solution to the Metro budget problems. Being good citizens, we “sucked it up.” Actually found that we could easily “live” with these “quality of life” reductions… Indeed, over the last 2+ years, they have meant less inconvenience to most residents.
BUT AT NO TIME AM I AWARE OF OUR TAX RATE HAVING BEEN REDUCED. We have continued to pay the rate that was “sold” to Urbanites as the means of paying for 4 annual junk collections, etc.
So, seems to me that not only would the proposed franchise fee (said to be for “restoring” the dropped services) be a hardship on families – particularly low fixed-income single seniors – but would also be DOUBLE TAXATION for those same services. If our existing rate has NOT been ROLLED BACK, we would then be PAYING TWICE for those 2 junk collections.
Sorta like the most recent library tax referendum. where Mare Jerr wanted to use the library taxes that we were ALREADY paying for some OTHER purpose.
Now gimme back $1.53/mo. from my current property tax rate, THEN we can talk about tacking it on to our natural gas costs.
4 jtt // May 5, 2011 at 10:22 am
I’m with you Gtown – I really miss the junk pickups – given that the last two have fallen during a time when I couldn’t be home on the weekend before to put out stuff (and am not supposed to put it out before the weekend). I’m right at the beginning of the route so if I don’t have it out by Monday a.m., – I’m out of luck.
And I’ll add, I also used to have twice a week garbage pickup – lost that service, still pay the same.
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