Today's Kentucky Retirement Systems Board Meeting

Three interesting developments from today’s Kentucky Retirement Systems meeting.

The board discussed increasing relocation compensation. I worked for a number of different state government agencies during my career in state government and the only relocation assistance I ever heard about was when the government took your property.

200 KAR 6:021. Relocation assistance payments and services of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.

RELATES TO: KRS 56.610-56.760, 49 C.F.R. Part 24

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 56.690, 49 C.F.R. Part 24

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: The Finance and Administration Cabinet is required to adopt administrative regulations and procedures to implement the provisions of KRS 56.610 to 56.760, providing for uniform relocation assistance services and compensation to persons displaced by the land acquisition programs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, except for acquisitions by the Transportation Cabinet. This administrative regulation adopts the federal regulations relating to uniform relocation assistance that are set forth in 49 CFR Part 24, and repeals Finance and Administration Cabinet administrative regulation, 200 KAR 6:020, pertaining to relocation assistance.

Section 1. The Finance and Administration Cabinet through its Division of Real Properties, shall administer the relocation assistance programs for all executive agencies of state government in accordance with the federal regulations relating to uniform relocation assistance that are set forth in 49 CFR Part 24, Subparts A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and Appendix A and B to Part 24, which were effective March 2, 1989, and are hereby adopted without change by the Finance and Administration Cabinet. (15 Ky.R. 2327; eff. 7-7-89.)

I don’t think KRS is going to be building any roads soon, so who is getting the relocation compensation and why are they being compensated?

On the issue of transparency, or lack there of, the minutes of the Nov. 18 were not completed for approval. Since the KRS posts minutes only after approval and since minutes are approved only at board meetings, evidently the Nov. 18 minutes will be posted no sooner than May. Just another one of those coincidences, the legislative session will be over by that time.

Speaking of the legislature there was discussion of HB 480. Several board members said they were surprised to learn KRS’ position on the bill, as expressed publicly by Executive Director Mike Burnside, since several board members said they weren’t aware of the bill and there had been no discussion of it.

Does it amaze anyone but me that these guys don't talk about legislation that directly impacts their tenure on the board?

Sounds like business as usual at KRS.

A Service To Needy People

I am not surprised that the Pay Day Lending Bill was killed in the House. But I am relieved to see that Representative Jim Gooch has the flexibility to feed at the trough from both the loan sharks and Coal Barons at the same time.

From the Herald Leader:

Several committee members opposed to Owens' bill said payday lending provides a service to needy people and that more information is needed from the state database.

"What is the alternative for people who need this?" asked Rep. Johnny Bell, a Glasgow Democrat, in opposition to the bill.

Rep. Jim Gooch, D-Providence, said payday lending is "an outlet some people may have to have."

He suggested church groups and other organizations such as the AARP that oppose payday lending should consider making loans to needy people.

“A service to needy people”?

Really, in what alternate reality are these guys living in?

Legalized loan sharks provide a service?

The biggest service PayDay Lenders provide is financing the political campaigns of guys like Jim Gooch.

In another piece from the Herald Leader:

The payday loan industry reported spending almost $120,000 in the first eight months of 2010 lobbying Kentucky's legislature


The CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE has donated thousands of dollars to the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

They have also backed Jody Richards when he ran for Governor. Richards still has his seat in the House of Representatives.

This PAC has also made individual contributions to the campaigns of Senators Dan Seum, Ken Winters, Tom Buford, and the campaigns of Representatives Steve Riggs and Jim Gooch.

A service to needy people, you really don't have to insult us, just take the money and shut up.

Stop Coal Baron Abuse

Senator Brandon Smith

The ability of our elected legislators to think small is astounding. Today’s example comes from the Senate where Senate Natural Resources and Energy Chairman Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, wants to make Kentucky a “sanctuary state" for the coal industry, free from "the overreaching regulatory power."

According to the Herald Leader:

If cities can ignore federal law to protect illegal immigrants, Smith said Wednesday, then why can't Kentucky do it for coal companies?

Brandon, I know this is a fine point that will probably be lost on you but there is a difference between individuals trying to make a better life for themselves and their family and Coal Barons making obscene profits while polluting the environment.

Below are some of Brandon’s financial backers according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. You might want click the links, some provide interesting reading about money, pollution and lawsuits.

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS LP AND AFFILIATES EMPLOYEES PAC

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER FUEL SUPPLY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Joseph Evans, President of Leeco Coal Co.

Timothy Frasure, President Bledsoe Coal Corp.

BJ Reynolds, CEO, Bell County Coal Corp.

Jimmy Shackleford, President, Teco Coal

David Duff, Vice President, Pine Branch Coal Sales

I think it's obvious who Brandon represents and it's not the people of the Commonwealth.