Jan. 6 cited multiple times as reason for US credit downgrade, official says
For the second time in history, credit officials have lowered the U.S.’s credit rating from its top mark of AAA to AA+ — and the reasoning provided for the decision strongly suggests that it is the result of Republican maneuvering and discord.
One of the driving forces behind the downgrade was the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, according to HuffPost. The outlet cited an anonymous U.S. administration official who told the publication that the attack was “repeatedly” cited by officials behind the downgrade at Fitch Ratings, one of the big three credit firms.
This was further supported by an interview on Wednesday with Richard Francis, a senior analyst at Fitch, who told CNBC that a “deterioration in governance” in recent decades, as evidenced particularly by January 6, was a reason for the downgrade. (Truthout)
Louisville quietly extends controversial contract with jail health care provider
In April, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced his administration would “soon” put out a request for proposals seeking health care services at Louisville’s troubled jail to begin after the current contract expires.
The announcement followed longstanding calls from jail reform advocates for the city to cancel its contract with Wellpath amid a sharp increase in deaths at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
However, in June, city officials quietly extended Wellpath’s contract for another seven months. And the request for proposals Greenberg mentioned has yet to go out. (Courier-Journal)
Cameron tries to separate himself from ex-governor Bevin who feuded with educators
Kentucky Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron is looking to separate himself from the last GOP governor, apologizing for former Gov. Matt Bevin’s feud with educators, in an effort to reclaim lost territory with teachers — whose voting clout helped vault the incumbent Democratic governor into office.
Speaking to a group of school administrators last week, Cameron acknowledged the lingering political damage caused by the rift between Bevin and some prominent education groups. Cameron said he came before the local school leaders “in a spirit of humility,” conceding that “some of you may have misgivings about any Republican nominee for governor.” (WLKY)
Here’s who is funding the PAC attack ads in Kentucky’s race for governor
New filings with the Internal Revenue Service show that individuals and businesses in Kentucky have contributed more than $1 million this year to the Republican and Democratic groups blanketing the airwaves with TV ads in the state's 2023 race for governor.
The Republican Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association are 527 groups that can accept unlimited donations from both individuals and corporations, then use that money to assist their affiliated PACs working to elect their gubernatorial candidates in those states.
Several prominent Kentucky companies such as Churchill Downs, Sazerac and ResCare have sent substantial contributions to both of the governors associations, while both groups also received money from donors whose past contributions have raised ethical questions for both candidates.
Here's a look at the contributors of both the RGA and DGA. (Courier-Journal)
Kentucky governor says backlash against departing education chief makes it harder to find successor
Kentucky's search for a top-tier education chief will be more challenging after the political backlash experienced by the state's departing education commissioner, Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday.
Education Commissioner Jason Glass came under steady criticism from prominent Republicans over transgender policies in schools. Glass, a third-generation Kentucky educator, said Monday he will step down on Sept. 29 to become an associate vice president of teaching and learning at Western Michigan University.
Beshear said the circumstances of Glass' departure make the search for a permanent successor more difficult. The education commissioner oversees the state's K-12 school system and its 635,000 students. (Herald-Leader)
DeSantis says he will “start slitting throats on day one” as president
The GOP presidential candidate’s violent rhetoric comes as he tries to “reboot” his fledgling campaign. (Truthout)
And from the Twitterverse ...
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