- "The Environmental Protection Agency has shouldered much of the blame from Kentucky politicians for the struggling economy during the 2011 campaigns. Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the EPA for what they see as job-inhibiting regulations. The refusal of 19 mine permits in eastern Kentucky prompted Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear to plead with President Obama - both in person and through a letter -to relax EPA policies to allow the mines to open. But reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other organizations show government regulations account for a small portion of job losses." [Cincinnati.com via Barefoot and Progressive]
- "Kentucky and Indiana are among twenty-five states seeking a delay in federal regulations to reduce mercury and other toxic air pollution. The deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to set standards for mercury and other toxic air pollution is November 16. But twenty-five states have filed a brief in the case asking a judge to push that back another year. As it’s proposed, the rule gives utilities three years to comply. Allison Martin in the Kentucky Attorney General’s office says the commonwealth joined the filing because it will need more time to comply." [WFPL]
- "Attorney General Jack Conway boasted Monday of being the only Democrat in Kentucky to receive an endorsement from the National Rifle Association.
Conway beat out Republican challenger Todd P'Pool, a local prosecutor from Madisonville, to receive the NRA's backing." [WHAS11] - "Officials of Kentucky Retirement Systems have been subpoenaed to be interviewed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The move is part of the SEC's informal inquiry into the use of placement agents to make certain investments. Placement agents are middlemen hired and paid by investment managers to secure investments from large groups. [WLKY]
- "Kentucky’s 20,000 bird hunters will have the opportunity to kill sandhill cranes before years’ end after a proposed hunt cleared its final substantial hurdle on Tuesday. Over the objections of environmentalists and bird enthusiasts, the state legislature’s Administrative Regulation and Review Subcommittee approved a regulation Tuesday that would make Kentucky the first state east of the Mississippi to allow hunting of sandhill cranes. Thirteen western states allow hunting of the birds, which often have a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet. The regulation must still go to two other state legislative committees in early November, but the controversial measure is expected to meet no opposition." [Bluegrass Politics]
- "Need to report a pothole or a street light that isn’t working? Look no further your iPhone or Android. Mayor Greg Fischer today unveiled the new Mobile311 smart phone application that allows citizens to report concerns, complaints or compliments with a quick click. Citizens can snap pictures of problems and the image is geocoded and sent directly to Metro Government’s MetroCall 311 center." [Metro Louisville Government]
- "Churchill Downs is giving up racing during the first week of July, forgoing a holiday that a track spokesman said has never been particularly strong for business. The track’s 2012 dates request was approved Tuesday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s dates committee and now awaits approval by the full commission, which is expected to vote on dates requests by the eight Kentucky racetracks on Oct. 24. Churchill will race from April 28-June 30 in the spring and Oct. 28-Nov. 25 in the fall. Spokesman John Asher said Churchill plans to race at night for both the opening and closing race cards in the spring. Two other night cards will be June 2 and Stephen Foster Handicap day on June 16. The date for a fall night card is still being decided, he said." [Courier-Journal]
- "Louisville’s mayor says the city will stop operating shuttle service on the Spirit of Jefferson across the Ohio. The mayor tweeted Tuesday afternoon that due to low ridership the shuttle would stop Thursday afternoon." [WHAS11]
Photo: Courtesy Jack Conway for Attorney General
