As a stats geek, I’m getting really frustrated with the discussion about JCPS class sizes, both from the JCPS leadership and from the local media. There’s lots of talk about various funding ratios, but no one is talking about the most important question: What are the REAL numbers,
In news that surprised no one, a Kentucky state senator proposed a bill to remove the Commonwealth from the real world, and only accept realities that fit his view of the world. “Who says we have to go along with things like gravity?” said Sen. Jim Gooch (R-Midgar). “Just because
(This open letter from December 2015 was cross-posted with permission of the author.) Dear Governor Bevin, Today you met with church pastors in the West End of Louisville to discuss public schools. Per media reports, you discussed “dead weight” at JCPS, and that it’s time to “speak truth to
Are you thinking “Wait a minute — wasn’t there a Progress Kentucky some years ago?” If you are, here’s the backstory. A number of years ago, I registered the domain names ProgressLouisville.com and ProgressKy.com. My goal was to build sites to support progressive values, policies, and candidates
It’s time to speak up. It’s time to organize. It’s time for Progress Kentucky. With the election of Matt Bevin as governor of Kentucky, and the growing strength of right- and far-right politics in our state, it has become obvious to me that we need a state-wide
When Denny Butler switched parties, there was widespread wailing and gnashing of teeth on the Dem side. He was criticized, of course, by persons both angry about his flip and fearful of losing the House. And, his silence as to why he did it did not help matters any. Now
I like talking about policy. I enjoy discussing ideas. And I appreciate people who ask my opinion. (Can’t you tell? <g>) So, I was glad to get a policy survey from Rep. Ron Crimm. He seems like a good man, open to hearing from his constituents. And
Look at this picture. This is the church I attend. Every year on the second Sunday in Advent, we hammer crosses into the lawn in memory of persons murdered in Louisville in the past year. Each cross represents one life ended by violence. Look again. Do you see the sidewalk
Amidst all the fearful, hateful, and xenophobic comments about refugees and immigrants spread around the country in the past week, it is refreshing to see some elected officials standing for empathy, humanity, and compassion. Here in The Ville, which bills itself as a Compassionate City, it was especially gratifying to
(This article was originally posted on Jim Pence’s Hillbilly Report, and reposted here with permission of the author. While we don’t agree with every recommendation in the article, we do agree with many, and thought it was a well-written analysis with good answers at the end. — Editor) My
Earlier today, Joel Pett of the Lexington Herald-Leader posted a cartoon making fun of Gov-Elect Bevin’s response to Syrian refugees. The cartoon used Bevin’s children as comparison to the children coming from Syria. The point of the cartoon is somewhat valid; Gov-Elect Bevin has a diverse family of
Do you ever read a headline and say to yourself “I thought that was settled. Why would we even consider going back?” That was my reaction when I read that Kelly Downard wants to go back to plastic leaf bags for yard waste. This is going to be short and
When the news broke that the Walmart lawsuit had been dismissed, I was intrigued by the responses of some of our elected officials. Here is one example: “I’m sure glad that stupid lawsuit is taken care of, so we can get our pictures made breaking ground on this big-ass
This is not the post I had planned for tonight. And, this was not the election result I expected tonight, either. But here we are, with a Regressive governor elected, and the chop-licking has already begun. So, now that we’ve opened Door #3, what have we won? :: The dismantling
Here’s a question for you: Can the principal be your pal, if they never come out of their office? :: I was intrigued by the comments of a JCPS principal in a recent C-J story. When asked to identify the main problem facing our school system, this principal said they
I hate writing about regulatory issues, sometimes. They’re often complicated and arcane, hard to explain and full of competing interests, many of which may be legitimate. You feel like you have to give reams and reams of backstory in order for the everyday reader to get a true picture.
