Everyone knows Matt Bevin is a little odd at times. Okay, more than a little and most of the time. But his recent actions may take the cake!
ITC has learned that Bevin recently went nutso in a couple of different meetings. Let’s be clear….Bevin is still pouting from the failed special session in December which he announced at 4pm and gave legislators until 8pm the same day to get to Frankfort; The same special session where the bill was presented after 8pm that evening and which did not contain what he had promised legislative leaders earlier in the day. The legislature promptly adjourned the next day. So, as with everything else, Bevin is never wrong, someone else is always at fault, a la Donald Trump.
A few days ago, Bevin was reportedly meeting with some top level administration officials at the Governor’s mansion. One of those present was Deputy Secretary Regina Stivers, wife of Senate President Robert Stivers. ITC has been told by a couple of sources that Bevin told Ms. Stivers “the special session would have successful if David Williams was still Senate President.” Say what? Those are fighting words to President Stivers who has not been bashful in saying he does things differently in Senate, is not as combative, arrogant, and controlling as was Williams. Our sources say Stivers is furious (as is Mrs. Stivers). Also, those with even a passing glance of historical knowledge of the Kentucky legislature know that Williams shut down a special session or two himself.
If that were not enough, Bevin continued his “everybody is at fault but me” tirade when he met with House Republican leaders. In this meeting, he told Speaker David Osborne “if Greg Stumbo was still Speaker, we would have passed pension reform in the special session”. We are told that Osborne, who is generally very mild mannered and timid, did not say much in response. Of course, Osborne may have been thinking of the last time a House Speaker (Jeff Hoover) directly confronted and challenged the Governor, look what happened! The Governor went into all out assault on Hoover.
Bevin’s tantrum is silly, although not uncommon for him. However, making such statements to the legislature’s top two leaders in an effort to blame someone besides himself only further damages his already weak relations with the General Assembly.
If the Dale Carnegie course “How To Win Friends and Influence People” is offered in the area any time soon, Bevin needs to enroll. ITC is confident neither David Williams or Greg Stumbo will be on the program.
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