[Pol Watch: 1/12/07]

A DIGEST OF KENTUCKY POLITICAL NEWS AND COMMENTARY

NEWS

• As word spread across the state that former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup was "on the verge" of running for governor, Kentucky Republicans began choosing sides in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive three-way GOP primary. The state legislature appears divided. [Herald-Leader: Alessi] [Courier-Journal: Loftus, Gerth, Carroll] [Associated Press: Schreiner] [Kentucky Enquirer: Crowley]

• All deaths in community-based homes for the mentally retarded will now be investigated in the same way as deaths at state-run institutions, Mark Birdwhistell, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said yesterday. The change comes after an investigative report in Sunday's Herald-Leader. [Herald-Leader: Vos]

• A new report, which followed a yearlong investigation of the social service office based in Elizabethtown, showed that workers there may have committed criminal acts in at least 13 cases. Overall, "the focus was on adoption, not reunification" with biological families, the 61-page report said. [Herald-Leader: Honeycutt Spears] [Courier-Journal: Yetter] [News-Enterprise: Overstreet]

• Former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry said yesterday he anticipates announcing his candidacy for governor next week, probably in a series of news conferences across the state Wednesday or Thursday. [Herald-Leader: Stamper]

• The Kentucky Bar Association cannot confirm or deny if it is investigating the conduct of lawyers involved in a special grand jury's investigation of hiring practices in the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher, KBA's director said yesterday. [Herald-Leader: Brammer]

• A new state park that might include a lodge to accommodate overnight guests is coming to northern Garrard County, near the limestone cliffs of the Kentucky River. [Herald-Leader: Kocher] [Advocate Messenger: Curd][Associated Press]

• Auditors have questioned more than $900,000 in spending for flood-repair work in Leslie County. [Herald-Leader: Estep]

• Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed a western Kentucky attorney to the state Personnel Board on Thursday, bringing the panel in charge of overseeing the state's merit system to full membership. [Associated Press]

• Pulaski County has spoken: Retirement is the most pressing issue facing the community — and the state’s projected $279 million surplus can come to the rescue. [Commonwealth Journal: Harris]

• Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called President George W. Bush’s decision to increase troop strength in Iraq “both courageous and correct.” [CNHI: Ellis] [Associated Press: Schreiner]

• A bill to eliminate portfolio requirements for fourth-graders was introduced last week in the state House by Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Bowling Green. DeCesare said fourth-graders need to spend more time learning basic skills - and less time training for tests. [Bowling Green Daily News: Jordan]

• Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson says the field of gubernatorial candidates could become even more crowded before the end of the month. [State-Journal: Glasser]

OPINION

• Former congresswoman Anne Northup is a good bet for governor. [Herald-Leader: KYKurmudgeon]

• The Republican effort to make something serious out of state Sen. Dan Mongiardo's abortive relationship with a fund-raising political action committee, called DANPAC, has come to naught. Appropriately so. [Courier-Journal: Editorial]

• U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville talks about stem cell research. [Courier-Journal: Yarmuth]

- John Stamper