MICA SIMS

Nanny Staters in Full Force in Frankfort

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 03:54:00 +0000

As I said last week, the Sudafed Snot Tax was going to be brought up again at some point. This is Stivers and Jensen's baby pet project bill. They love them some nanny state and will not let it die.

So, of course no one was surprised when SB3 popped up the other day with some weird "compromise" that should appeal to everyone. Right?

It limits the amount of consumers to how much they can purchase of pseudoephedrine. Yea, it may sound good but a couple of boxes a year? Here is a good look at what the bill actually does:

Here's a scenario: What happens to the single mom who has allergies and also has two kids with allergies? Under the new SB3, a single mom has to take off work, take her kid out of school, pay the doctor's co-pay (IF she has health insurance) and then pay the co-pay for the prescription.

I had this discussion with Sen. Brandon Smith yesterday. He actually said to me that "it would be cheaper on the consumer if we passed this sudafed prescription bill." Yea, let that sink in for a second...

Of course, I laughed and was completely taken back at such a mindset. I asked his reasoning and he said that "once a consumer with allergies gets a prescription for sudafed then all you have to do when you run out is call your doctor's office and ask for a refill."

Yup. That's what we deal with in Frankfort. I'm not even going to expound on that because if Brandon Smith had even the slightest clue about how doctors and prescriptions worked then I doubt we'd have a pill mill problem. But then again he's not from Lexington or Louisville where our doctors don't live next door. Calling in for a refill on any prescription doesn't happen.

Why do I feel like I'm talking to myself?

FYI: SB3 passed committee today 7-5. It was set to be voted on in the Senate but the caucus apparently got some push back and it didn't go to the floor. Your calls are working!!! Please do what you can to make sure law-abiding citizens don't suffer more under nanny-state laws!

Senators to contact: Robert Stivers, Tom Jensen, Carroll Gibson, Dan Seum, Brandon Smith, Jared Carpenter, Katie Stine, Paul Hornback

Fifty year old manure spreader

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:34:00 +0000

Completely hilarious. Here's an ad on Craig's list that has been there since February 2nd. Enjoy!

Fifty year old manure spreader - $1 (Washington, D.C.)

Fifty-year old manure spreader. Not sure of brand. Said to have been produced in Kenya. Used for a few years in Indonesia before being smuggled into the US via Hawaii. Of questionable pedigree. Does not appear to have ever been worked very hard. Apparently it was pampered by various owners over the years. It doesn't work very often, but when it does it can really spread the manure and sling it for amazing distances.

I am hoping to retire this manure spreader next November. But I really don't want it hanging around getting in the way. I would prefer a foreign buyer that is willing to relocated this manure spreader out of the country. I would be willing to trade this manure spreader for a nicely framed copy of the United States Constitution.

Location: Washington, D.C.
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 2834218719

Food Stamps for Take Out Pizza?

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:18:00 +0000

A MUST read from a liberty friend. It's complete with snark which as you know is a personal favorite of mine. Enjoy!

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I saw this today at a BP convenience store while on my way to shoot a new pistol. I don't get out much. I'd call this a sign of the times.

EBT = Electronic Benefits Transfer... aka food stamps. The old fashioned food stamp coupons are so 1990s. The EBT card looks like a credit card or debit card. If you think you've never seen an EBT card, you've probably seen them several times and not known. Maybe you stopped seeing food stamps in the grocery store and thought food stamp usage was declining. Far from it. One in seven Americans are now on food stamps... EBT. The rate of increase in EBT recipients has been shocking over the last few years.

So, it's possible to call and order a pizza, and pay for it and the pop with your food stamp credit card. Very convenient. Best of all, this credit card company never sends those pesky statements wanting you to make a minimum payment every month. No wonder all the cool kids are doing it and EBT is all the rage.

No beer with EBT. I don't drink beer with my pizza, but many people do. It's almost unAmerican to deprive the nonworking man of beer with his pizza. That's not in their general welfare! We need to fix that! Maybe explicitly add the unalienable right to beer and pizza into our Constitution, for those sticklers who think it's not covered under the federal government providing for the general welfare. There are too many negative liberties in our Constitution. It needs more positive liberties, so our benevolent federal government can do so much more for us. Or maybe the USDA can add beer to the old food pyramid as one of the grains that should be consumed several times a day.

The final irony - If your kid showed up at public school with pizza and pop for lunch, it'd be thrown away and they'd be served a USDA approved lunch (maybe chicken nuggets) and you'd be billed for it. You'd receive a nasty gram from the school, because you're not raising the state's children properly. Keep that up, and they'll exert their superior right to your children and take them... general welfare again... so they can grow up to be the future EBT dependent voters that every big government needs.

Random Update

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:35:00 +0000

I wish I had the time to expound on all these stories but I just don't. So here are some links to what's going on around Kentucky and the Nation.

Jack Conway's brother is in trouble once again

Massachusettes can't figure out how to charge 3 lesbians with a "hate crime" for beating up a gay guy

KY's Cabinet for Health and Family Services has well... issues and rightly so

Gaming bill died. Williams still lost, Thayer wins.

Sen. Rand Paul- "Get Involved!"

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:03:00 +0000

Kentucky's Republican Party is reorganizing this year. Senator Rand Paul sent out a great email earlier today about how to get involved in your local area and on the state level. Let's face it, folks, the RPK could use some help. Get involved!

Here's a copy of Rand's email.

Get involved in your Republican Party! Attend your Precinct Election and County Convention

When I ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010, I campaigned on a traditional, conservative platform rooted in the founding of our nation and the values of individual freedom that have made America great. I was propelled by the strength of a grassroots movement – made-up of hard-working Kentuckians who were inspired by my campaign and fed up with our President and the direction of our country.

Our successful fight brought together rank-and-file Republicans and a lot of new faces, many of whom had never been active in politics before. I’ll never forget how hard everyone worked. Thank you for all that you did. There was a lot of energy and, because of it, we stunned everyone and I defeated my Democratic opponent by 12 points.

We learned a lot from that campaign. We learned that we can grow and expand our Republican Party by effectively communicating our conservative message. And we learned that when we work together, we win.

Every few years, Republicans across the country reorganize their party structure – from the local precinct to the national level. This year’s reorganization allows activists and volunteers like you the opportunity to participate in the restructuring of the Republican Party, the development of our platform and the planning of our path forward. Over the next several months, the Republican Party in Kentucky will reorganize at every level, and you will have the chance to be involved. I’m excited, because it will allow us to build a stronger GOP and to fight for a conservative platform.

The reorganization begins soon with Precinct Elections and County Conventions. Click here for information on the date, time and location of these events in your area. You may contact the Republican Party of Kentucky or your local party (contact info: http://rpk.org/take-action/find-local-gop/) for further information or to express your desire to serve.

You were with me in 2010. I hope you’re still ready to make a difference. I know from experience that you never know what’s possible when you stand up and make your voice heard. So get involved – and stay involved.

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Sincerely,

Dr. Rand Paul
United States Senator

Congratulations David Williams!

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 04:22:00 +0000

HL- "I want to congratulate Senate President Williams," Thayer said after the vote. "He has orchestrated the defeat of this amendment and he deserves credit for doing that."

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/23/2080851/gambling-bill-doesnt-have-votes.html#storylink=cpy

I'm sorry, Sen. President. What was that? You lost HOW much in gambling?

I started to write up my thoughts on what happened yesterday in the KY Senate concerning the Gaming Bill and while doing so I stumbled upon this write up in the Paulick Report.

Kentucky politicians made mockery of system of government

Here's some highlights.

The saddest part is Senate President David Williams, who helped orchestrate defeat of SB 151, gets away with it.

David Williams is a despicable, vengeful, and hateful person. He has, for some reason, a vendetta against the horse industry. If there was a trail of money and payoffs, that would at least help explain his actions, but we can only speculate about his true motives.

I hope some day soon we will be rid of Sen. Williams. But even then what does that leave us with? With a group of either spineless politicians who refuse to stand up to him...

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Yup. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Rev. Hershael York did what?!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:38:00 +0000

I really don't even know what to say about this. You have to go watch this video of Rev. York and his "prayer" this morning in the Senate chambers. He's the pastor that stirred some controversy at the beginning of the session by injecting into his invocation anti-gaming rhetoric.

But this has to top it all. I don't want to give it away. Just watch. Starts at 1:35.

Ding Dong! Jensen's Bill is Dead

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:11:00 +0000

On Thursday morning it was announced that SB50 (the sudafed bill) was going up for a vote on the Senate floor. Then at the very last minute, Sen. Stivers pulled it off the agenda. The senate then went on to vote on the very controversial gaming bill.

It's pretty much known that the sudafed bill was pulled from being voted on in return for votes against the gaming bill. Yep, politics as usual as we have come to expect from David Williams and his ilk.

So, now apparently the Sudafed bill has died. Or... has it?

Jensen and Stivers can't let their pet project die that easily, can they? After all, Stivers DID say that he would just cry if this bill didn't pass. Kleenex anyone?

Watch for a new sudafed "Save the children" bill that will limit the amount law abiding citizens can buy. OR it may be shoved into the pill mill bill. I doubt it's dead. The nanny-staters love taking our liberties away too much.

Rally in Frankfort on Debt Ceiling THIS Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:05:00 +0000

Please join me and others in the capitol rotunda in Frankfort this Wednesday at 10:30 to discuss and rally behind the efforts to introduce and implement a Kentucky Debt Ceiling.

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First rally of 2012

Dear friend,

Please join our first tea party rally of 2012 in Kentucky on Wednesday at the rotunda in the state capitol building in Frankfort on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30 am ET.

For years we have been talking about limiting government debt and now everyone is listening. We need to come together for a big push to turn the attention into action.

The state Senate has made limiting state debt their highest priority in 2012 in response to your efforts, but keeping them on task won't be quick or easy.

Confirmed speakers include congressional candidates Thomas Massie, Alecia Webb-Edgington, Gary Moore and Andy Barr and many more. I know it looks weird to have federal candidates speaking at an event about a state issue, but they all agree it is just that important.

There is a Facebook page for the event to help you spread the word. Click here to show your support and to help out.

Thanks for all that you do.

Sincerely,

David Adams

Sen. Thayer on the Gaming Amendment

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:55:00 +0000

Watch this video from last week of Sen. Damon Thayer addressing the gaming issue and why he supports it. I've heard no better explanation. In fact, Gov. Beshear could really take some public speaking pointers from Sen. Thayer.

Quick! Someone please get Hal Rogers a Tissue!

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Poor guy can't funnel tax payer money to his friends and family anymore.

<p>&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;In</p>

In honor of Katie Moyer in comment section:

Industrial Hemp Seminar NEXT WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:34:00 +0000

Please join Sen. Joey Pendleton, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Craig Lee in Hopkinsville next Saturday February 25th at 10:00 at the Christian County Cooperative Extension Office for an informational seminar on industrial hemp.

I believe we can revive this lost economy that made this state one of the wealthiest states in the Union. Nowadays, in the Netherlands, they are making jet fuel from hemp lignants and pectins. Imagine what we can do with American engineering.... -Katie Moyer (organizer)

Snot Tax Passes Senate Committee

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:48:00 +0000

Remember this from last year? It's back. The Sudafed Bill SB50 cleared committee this morning with a 6-5 vote.

No Votes: Sens. John Shickle, Perry Clark, Jerry Rhoads, Dan Seum, and Katie Stine (Thank you!)

Yes Votes: Sens. Robert Stivers, Tom Jensen, Carroll Gibson, Ray Jones, Brandon Smith, and Robin Webb. (Grow a spine and stand up for the people. Quit being Stumbo's and Roger's lap dogs.)

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/16/2071453/senate-panel-approves-bill-to.html#storylink=c

H-L: Jones said opponents of the bill should be ashamed of their "scare tactics" in the media, a reference to a statewide radio and Internet ad campaign against the bill by the trade industry.

"Scare Tactics"? Really? Like this one that's set to start running tomorrow by Pat Davis?

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/16/2071453/senate-panel-approves-bill-to.html#storylink=cpy

Today in committee, Sen. Stivers, "I may just cry if this bill isn't passed."

Can someone PLEASE separate these two?

Every time they get together, something really crappy happens in Kentucky.

And of course, we can't forget the famous quote of Sen. David "Duck" Williams from last year.

"Without access to pseudoephedrine, the manufacturing (of meth) will cease," Williams said.

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Here's a quick summary of someone who was in committee this morning.

Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee yet again displayed their disregard for common sense when they took up the bill that would make all medications containing pseudoephedrine prescription only.

The two-hour meeting, which included testimony from law enforcement, a chemist and an ex-meth-user, was a desperate attempt by supporters to entice sympathy and pull on heartstrings in order to get votes. As an audience member, I was appalled to see that again, the views of the opposition were not included in the discussion save for a few letters read.

As usual, facts and evidence-based evaluation have no place in Tom Jenson’s committee. It is obvious that no matter how many times some legislators are presented with data to show that this bill will do nothing to stop meth production or use, the only thing that will get through to them are heart wrenching stories, many of which are isolated incidences.

The ex-meth user (a client of Stiver's) who testified before the committee spoke about the years she spent battling addiction and how it had robbed her of her innocence. However, the most interesting thing she mentioned was her dedication to her addiction. She said over and over again that she would have done anything to get meth. She said that going to rehab numerous times did nothing to curb her addiction, adding that meth is to an addict what air is to everyone else- you will do anything you have to get it.

If she is right, wouldn’t that just further justify the argument that this bill will not stop people from making meth? If people will do anything to get it, then adding one more hurdle to the process is not going to change anything. It will only punish law-abiding citizens who do not abuse the drug and make criminals and meth-cooks harder to find.

The bill passed through committee with a 6-5 vote. For the 97% of us who do not make meth, I sincerely hope that this is as far as it gets.

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Be ready for more of Hal's shenanigans like this from last year when it goes to a floor vote next week. I could think of a couple of signs...

News Break: Frankfort KY In Search To Find Constitution

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:54:00 +0000

I thought long and hard on the title of this post. So many came to mind.

-Stumbo and Rogers Sitting in a Tree
-Frankfort Republicans Laid Down and Got Ran Over By Dem Bus
-Williams, Searching for his long lost errand boy
-Passed Today HB302: "Ben Chandler Lifetime Employment Act"

I could go on and on making fun of the Republicans for the shenanigans that happened yesterday in Frankfort except it's not that funny when you think that they completely defecated on our Constitution, is it?

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm referring to the passing of the new Congressional map for KY that was passed yesterday. Let's take a look.

Current Districts

New Districts

Regardless on how anyone feels about the map. The process in which it was done was a complete disaster and flew in the face of all Kentuckians. Several members of the Republican Caucus spoke on the chamber floors yesterday from both houses saying that they were not involved in any way with the negotiations of the proposed map. Some even said that they had only seen the proposal hours before they were to vote on it. Many mentioned and almost laughed that the map was being presented by leadership as an "agreed on map." Who agreed on it? The members that spoke out yesterday sure didn't.

Under the Constitution, the legislative body in Frankfort is supposed to craft and decide on the new congressional lines and then once agreed on pass through Congress. That is no where near what happened yesterday or the past few weeks during the negotiations.

Nope. Not even close. Rep. Ben Chandler and Rep. Hal Rogers sent their errand boys up to Frankfort to do their bidding to ensure that "their" seats were saved. And that's what was passed. I would love for someone to point to me within the Constitution where it states that Congressional members have the authority on how the new redistricting lines are to be drawn. (The 2nd coming will come faster.)

I do want to thank the very few members for standing up and speaking out against the gerrymandering that lead us to this autrocious map.

Sen. Damon Thayer
Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr
Sen. Jimmy Higdon
Rep. Stan Lee
Rep. Jeff Hoover
Rep. Mike Harmon

There were others but these are the ones that specifically called out the back door dealings that went on behind their backs. None of the above members were involved in the negotiations.

As Rep. Stan Lee said yesterday, "It appears we've turned our allegiance to Congress rather than the taxpayers.”

For further reading, go here for some details of why this was a BAD idea.

Sen. Thayer Releases Client List

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:57:00 +0000

STATEMENT OF SENATOR DAMON THAYER

February 9, 2012

“Some questions have been raised about my professional career outside of the State Senate and whether it impacts my views on public policy, particularly whether Kentucky should let the people vote on expanded gaming. I can unequivocally state that none of my company's private sector clients stand to benefit from simply letting the people decide whether Kentucky should expand gambling, but because I have been a fierce advocate for transparency in government I am releasing my client list.

Like most members of the General Assembly, I am a part-time legislator with a full time job outside of the legislature, just as the framers of our state constitution intended. My clients have released me to share our business relationship with the media and the public, and I am proud to do so.

“My position on this issue is clear – I believe the people should decide once and for all whether Kentucky will expand gaming. I am not pushing for legislative fiat on this issue, but rather for the people to make the final decision. Politicians in Frankfort have been debating this issue for decades; now it is time for the politicians to get out of the way and let the people make the choice. It is time for Kentucky to make this decision and move on.

“The implication that a legislator who wants to allow the people to decide an issue is somehow engaging in a conflict of interest is ludicrous. This is why more and more people don’t want to participate in politics these days. Personally destroying someone’s reputation is somehow more acceptable than just debating the issues and letting the best ideas rise to the top. I am offended that my integrity was called into question but am happy to put any questions to rest in the interest of moving this issue forward. I believe a vast majority of Kentuckians see it the way I do – that a public referendum is the right way to lay this issue to rest.”

###

THAYER COMMUNICATIONS & CONSULTING LLC CURRENT CLIENT LIST

Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, KY

Millennium Farms, Lexington, KY

Whispering Oaks Farm, Carencro, LA

Wintergreen Stallion Station, Midway, KY

Expanded Gaming in KY Should be Put To the People

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:39:00 +0000

I'm honestly sick of this issue. All of the so-callled negotiations over these last several years are getting old. Bottom line- To have expanded gaming in KY will require a constitutional amendment. To have a constitutional amendment to the KY Constitution will require a ballot vote.

Please, let's get this issue off the table and put it to the people!

Thank goodness Republican Senator Damon Thayer is stepping up in support of putting the issue on the ballot and allowing Kentuckians to decide. Does Thayer support expanded gaming? Who knows? And who cares? It should be put to the people to decide.

Food Freedom Cow Share Call to Action

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:08:00 +0000

Please see Take Back Kentucky's post from yesterday regarding this issue: Big Dairy vs. Food Freedom

From TBK today:

...It was suggested that maybe we should take our grip to a bigger wheeler and dealer in the actual Corporation that made the threats, such as this one made yesterday during a meeting held to address the concerns that the KDDC had with our Senate Bill 47, the president of Southern Belle Dairy, Mike Chandler, informed us that he would "use every political power under my belt to stop what you are doing".

Just what might that political power be?

So how about we let them know what we think of their political power.

Please tell Southern Belle Dairy Processors (POLITELY...if you can) that they cannot control what foods you eat, and that you will boycott their products if they continue to use their profits to squelch our freedom. You can call them in Somerset at (606)-679-1131.You can also contact them on their website.

Please don't let the corporate interests control our public policy.

This bill is expected to finally be voted on in the Senate on Thursday, Feb 9th, the session starts at 2PM. So the legislative action that needs to be taken are as follows.

Call 1-800-372-7181

1) Thank Senator Shickel for his sponsorship of SB 47 and Cow-Shares

2) Thank Senator Givens for his leadership on SB 47 and Cow-shares

3) Thank Senate President David Williams for wanting to listen to citizens regarding SB 47 and the issue of Cow-Shares

4) Tell your Senator to support, vote for and pass SB 47

5) Tell all Senate Leadership to do the same.

If you need more info about what Cow-shares are and why there needs to be legal protection of this liberty please see our alert HERE.

Rep. Hal Rogers Earmarked 7.1 Million Since 2002

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:33:00 +0000

According to the Washington Post, Rep. Hal Rogers earmarked more then 7 million dollars since 2002 that directly benefits... wait for it... wait for it... him and his family.

Shocking isn't it?

King of Pork doing what he does best. Bringing home the bacon!

Cutting deals with Speaker Greg Stumbo and earmarking millions of tax-payer dollars for his own personal gain is exactly what we have come to expect from Rep. Hal Rogers.

Amish Bill Passed Unanimously Through Senate

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:04:00 +0000

Yesterday, the Amish bill passed with complete support from both sides unanimously through the Senate! This bill has been a personal pet project of mine and I want to thank all of the Senators for their support. A big thanks to Sen. Ken Winters for his hard work on the bill, Sen. Damon Thayer for his co-sponsoring and wonderful words on the floor and also to Sen. Kathy Stein for her wonderful words of support on the floor as well.

This was a great accomplishment to have such a bill passed unanimously through the Senate during its current environment.

When I started working on this bill not even 2 months ago, we had very little support. With a lot of hard work from many different groups from all sides, we were able to get every senator on board. It's been a pleasure to work with the American Civil Liberties Union (in particular Kate Miller) on this bill.

Last but not least, I want to thank Jacob Gingerich (one of the Amish men jailed; he's the 5th from the left in the picture) for his persistence and dedication to this legislation. He is truly dedicated to his religion and I am proud to have worked to ensure that his religious freedoms are not interfered with by big government.

Now, on to the House!

Anyone Sick of Redistricting Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:48:00 +0000

I sure am. I hope that Rep. Tim Moore's bill gets some traction so we don't have to go through this again.

I got an interesting email from Ky Club for Growth yesterday about this topic of redistricting. Before I address the email, please note that I have a huge amount of respect for Ky CFG. They are a much-needed watch dog for Ky taxpayers. However with that said, the email sent out yesterday was quite odd.

The email requested calls to Congress asking for a "no" vote on the "Stumbo proposal." In the email, it lays out the apparent gerrymandering that is going on in Frankfort over redistricting. What I found odd was this statement:

"Surely Republican negotiators Sens. Robert Stivers, Tom Jensen and Damon Thayer would not agree to this horrible proposal?

If they did, It would represent the ultimate betrayal of conservatives by party insiders and reemphasize the need for new, conservative legislative leadership in Frankfort."

Why in the world would they include Stivers, Jensen and Thayer and leave out David Williams? Everyone knows that Williams is driving these negotiations. And what makes the email worse is that CFG includes this in the email:

"Just last year when David Williams stood up for responsible, conservative spending cuts, House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover instantly sided with Stumbo and Beshear. By undercutting Williams' proposal, the problem was ignored and today Kentucky faces a $190 million budget shortfall, just as we did before the Hoover-Stumbo-Beshear "fix"."

So, Ky CFG is completely fine with calling out certain Senators but decides to completely ignore David Williams' part in the whole debacle? Not only that, they go on to praise David Williams over something that isn't even relevant to this topic? Which, as a side note, did not go down like CFG depicts.

Dear Ky Club for Growth: Thayer is not going to vote for the Stumbo proposal so no calls needed there. And I wouldn't waste your reader's time on calling Jensen and Stivers. They are just going to do what Williams tells them to do, like always.

Why don't you list Williams' # and perhaps Hal Rogers' staffers? As quoted in the HL, Stumbo acknowledges the influence of Hal's people.

"Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said the staff of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, has been instrumental in helping the Democratic-controlled House and Republican-led Senate come to a consensus after weeks of negotiations."

Interpretation: I cut a deal with Rogers to make sure he was safe while keeping Chandler safe as well.

UPDATE: Ky Club for Growth backed up from their previous statements.

Miss Anything Last Week?

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:45:00 +0000

I've been working on several issues this past week so I've been slow on blogging. Here's some interesting stories that you may have missed but definitely worth the read.

Leland Conway's Column on the Sudafed (Snot Tax) Bill

Jim Waters of Bipps on CN|2 discussing the Snot Tax
Best comment ever: A new study clearly reveals a strong correlation between Doritos, Ho-Hos, pizza rolls, and microwavable burritos to marijuana consumption, so we’ll be introducing a new bill to ban these substances. So sayeth Tom “We’ll Ban Everything” Jensen. (The rest of the comment is posted below the article.)

Richie Farmer Wants Unemployment Pay while New Commissioner James Comer Fired Another One of His Friends

Raw Milk Bill Finally Gets a Hearing

The Amish bill sponsored by Sen. Winters is going to be called to the floor tomorrow at 2:00 for a vote. Any Senator that votes against this bill will get a strong tongue-lashing tomorrow! The house is hearing their version in committee tomorrow too.

With all the issues KY faces, I find myself scratching my head writing this. You would think that people who want to drink milk straight from a cow as God intended and law-abiding citizens who want to purchase cold medicine wouldn't be a top issue. But then I laugh and remember... this is Kentucky! At least there are a few in Frankfort that are protecting us from those scary Amish people. (Yes, that's sarcasm.)

Charter Schools Bill Hearing

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:12:00 +0000

Totally support this. Please go if you can.

Tea Party Goes to Frankfort

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:43:00 +0000

Good read by Roger Alford of the AP on KY Tea Party candidates joining the races this year to vie for Frankfort seats.

Among the ones mentioned were Phil Moffett (gubernatorial candidate last year) and Chris Hightower (former Rand Paul staffer). I know Phil well and he would be a great addition to the House. I don't know Chris as well but this video he put out is an impressive start.

However, Alford didn't mention Cathy Flaig who is running against Rep. Addia Wuchner in the 66th. Cathy is as Tea Party as they come! She has a great chance and I wish her the best.

I know the article focused on state races but I thought that Alford's omission of Thomas Massie, who is running for US Congress to replace retiring Geoff Davis, was pretty glaring. Thomas Massie has full Tea Party backing. It was however the Tea Party across the state that encouraged him to run. Massie was reluctant at first because he's not really "wired" to be a politician. But he has jumped in feet first and I proudly support him. We need more like him in Washington. Reluctant candidates who aren't power hungry that seriously have a passion to fix what is wrong.

Legislative Alerts

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0000

From Take Back Kentucky:

For a complete list of "Good" and "Bad" bills please click here.

Multiple Priority Alerts:

These alerts require phone calls and e-mails on a consistent basis if we are to have any effect on these issues this legislative session. If there was an alert you should be acting on this session and forwarding to others this is it.

UPDATED:

Food Freedom Bill - Cowshares

Industrial Hemp - With Legislative Event

this week. Citizens are needed to lobby on 2/2.

Advance your Second Amendment Rights

Stop the Sudafed Bill/Snot Tax - For more info go to Stop Meth Not Meds.

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Freedom of Religion Still Alive in KY

noreply@blogger.com (Mica Sims) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:10:00 +0000

Most of you all know that I have been working with several groups including Take Back Kentucky and the ACLU on the "Amish Bill" that re-writes Kentucky's laws on slow moving vehicles. The current law has restricted the freedom of religion rights of many Amish sects in Kentucky. They have recently made the national news because they have refused to put the mandatory orange triangle reflector on their horse-drawn buggies. The orange triangle is in direct conflict with their religion because they do not believe in flashy colors and they also don't believe in the "trinity" which is also depicted by the triangle symbol.

Advocacy groups for this Amish group and proponents of a measure to tweak the KY law that violates their freedoms have worked together along with Sen. Winters and Sen. Thayer who proposed this week an alternative to the orange triangle. Sen. Winters proposed in the Senate transportation committee this Wednesday a measure that would allow slow moving vehicles to have an alternative that allows them to put a gray reflective tape around the vehicle that is as reflective (and actually more reflective) compared to the orange triangle.

This is a common sense solution to this issue that allows this Amish sect to practice their rights to freedom of religion while protecting them and us while not wasting thousands of taxpayer dollars trying to prosecute Amish members.

This common sense measure was readily acknowledged and therefor passed the Transportation Committee unanimously.

I hope that this bill passes as easily through Congress and is signed quickly by the Governor.

Side note: You may not be Amish and not care about this but if we don't stick up for their freedom of religion now then who is going to stick up for your religious rights when the government comes after you?

This quote from the Nazi/German era is still relevant today:

First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak out because I was Protestant.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.