You have to wonder if Republican leaders across the state grow tired and weary of Senator Dan Seum and his family. Yes, he was the party switcher that gave Republicans control of the State Senate for the first time in history, but at what cost?

In 2004, Seum’s daughter, Dana Seum-Stephenson, won the election in an adjoining State Senate district but, after much legal-wrangling, was declared ineligible as she was a resident of Indiana, not Kentucky.

In 2017, Dan Seum, Jr., a marijuana advocate, was banned from Annex offices after he made “racially-charged” comments in front of an African-American LRC employee.

(As a sidebar, how much hubris does it take for a man to name both his son and daughter after himself? Dan, Jr. and Dana? Geez!)

Now, today, Senator Seum publicly advocated for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, as did several other legislators. Seum took it a step further though when he took to the Senate floor with remarks of support, including his admission of smoking marijuana to aid with the effects of chemotherapy.

The last we knew, popular or not, possession of marijuana is still illegal in Kentucky. In fact, KRS 218A.1422 (2) reads:

Possession of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, except that, KRS Chapter 532 to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum term of incarceration shall be no greater than forty-five (45) days.

It’s not often that a sitting legislator openly admits to misdemeanors during floor remarks. Which, has some wondering if that could in fact be an impeachable offense? Kentucky’s statutes set out the ways to impeach an elected official, including the listing of misdemeanors in the petition.

Will an anti-drug organization such as The Family Foundation of Kentucky file impeachment proceedings against Senator Seum now that he has self-incriminated? Would the House take it up? Would the Senate convict? Stay tuned!

Denizens of the Capitol may have noticed a few differences with the opening of the 2019 General Assembly yesterday.  Throughout the campus, there was added members of police forces.  While this may be normal for the first day, what was most noticeable was the location of these officers.  Kentucky State Police were stationed at the base of the steps leading to the third floor where House and Senate chambers are located.  Additionally, facilities security officers were located at both ends of the tunnel leading between the Capitol and Annex.

The Herald-Leader reports this morning that this increase in police comes on the order of Governor Bevin.  His executive order is full of the usual rhetoric of protecting the safety of both the public and state government staff.  However, one has to imagine this change comes as a direct reaction to the unprecedented number of engaged citizens who flooded the Capitol last session in response to the pension bill, as well as news that circulated prior to the session that the Poor People’s Campaign would be in town en masse.

The increased police presence was coupled with new rules for the galleries in the House and Senate.  Signage now indicates that, among other regulations for general decorum, members of the galleries are no longer allowed to use cameras, either video or still, including cell phone cameras.  Given that many teachers circulated photos of members’ votes through social media last session, one has to wonder if legislative leaders are wary that could happen again.

For a political party that has based much of their campaigns on increased transparency within government, it appears that Governor Bevin and the legislature have decided to reduce that now that they are in control.  

A Republican State Representative, first elected just last year, has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor, thus setting up a primary challenge to Governor Matt Bevin, should Bevin carry out his stated intention to seek re-election.

Rep. Robert Goforth made his announcement Tuesday in London. Goforth wasted no time in going after Bevin, saying Bevin “lectures more than he listens”, and that he was tired of Bevin talking down to Kentuckians. Goforth’s running mate is Mike Hogan, Lawrence County Attorney, who ran for Attorney General in 2015 but lost narrowly in the Republican primary to State Senator Whitney Westerfield.

Goforth won a special election in February, 2018 to succeed former Rep. Marie Rader who had retired. According to sources, Goforth was not the choice at that time of the so-called Republican establishment in Jackson and Laurel counties. Nor was he the preferred candidate of Congressman Hal Rogers. Interestingly, during his campaign for State Representative in early 2018, Goforth was supported by Congressman James Comer, who actually appeared at fundraising events for Goforth and endorsed him.

ITC has learned today that Goforth and Comer spoke recently about the 2019 Governor’s race and the Republican primary. Comer said last week he would have “significant interest” in running again (he lost to Bevin by 83 votes in 2015) if Bevin did not run. ITC has learned that Goforth told Comer as recently as this past weekend that he would wait to announce his candidacy and would defer to Comer if Bevin did not file. Then, much to Comer’s surprise, Goforth made his announcement on Tuesday.

Who is Robert Goforth? Can he mount a serious campaign? ITC learned he has personally contributed $750,000 to kick start his campaign. Does he start with 35% or more support just from the “anti Bevin” electorate? Will Comer get in? Anyone else? We will know more three weeks from today as the filing deadline is January 29th! It will be interesting because, as we all know “politics is the damndest in Kentucky”

When the General Assembly convenes at 12:00 EST today, the Senate will not be at full strength.  Following the election of Ray Jones as the new Judge-Executive of Pike County, a vacancy exists in the 31st Senate District. The district is comprised of Elliott, Lawrence, Martin, Morgan and Pike counties.

Yesterday, Governor Matthew Griswold Bevin declared the seat vacant and set a special election date for March 5th.  This effectively will leave the 31st District vacant for the 2019 Regular Session, with March 5th being the 24th day of a 30 day session.

We at ITC wonder why the election was set at such a late date.  For reference, in 2018 there were two special elections for the House (49th and 89th districts) that were held on February 20th and 27th, respectively.  Why is it that this election was not set for a similar timeframe?  Is it because Republicans believe the seat will remain in Democratic hands and they are, in practicality, shorting the Senate Democrats an extra vote during crucial times during session?

We do not believe that to be the case.  This is a seat that our sources on both sides of the aisle tell us to expect to be competitive.  In 2000, in what was the costliest State Senate race in the state’s history, Republican Chris Ratliff barely lost to Democrat Ray Jones.  Jones won a rematch again in 2004, and has gone unopposed since then.  However, this is a district that Donald Trump carried with nearly 80% of the vote. 

ITC wonders if Senate President Robert Stivers had set the date for the election, would he have done so at an earlier date as a way to increase his burgeoning super-majority and provide himself with another ally from Eastern Kentucky.

Governor Matthew Griswold Bevin took to the airwaves of KET Monday night to (surprise) blame the legislature for the recent failed special session. Bevin told KET’s Renee Shaw it was “the prerogative of the Governor to do what should be done for the people of Kentucky” and that was his reason for exercising his executive authority to call the legislature in session on just four hours notice. On Monday, December 17th, Bevin issued an Executive Order at 4:00 p.m., calling the legislature to Frankfort at 8:00 p.m. that same evening. (Never mind the fact that Bevin’s order violated Kentucky’s Open Meetings law which requires all public bodies, including the legislature, to give minimum 24 hour notice before any special meeting.)

It may have been Bevin’s prerogative to call the special session, but it was also his duty and responsibility to properly plan, prepare, and inform the legislature prior to issuing the call. He did none of those. He not only violated the open meetings law, he miserably failed in his duty to lay the groundwork for a successful session. It was chaos before the gavel dropped to convene the House and Senate. Bevin’s draft of a proposed pension bill wasn’t even ready until later that evening. But that is not all.

Inside the Connector has learned from numerous sources that Bevin assured legislative leaders, even as late as 12 noon on Monday, December 17th, his proposed bill draft would be “very similar, almost identical” to SB 151 from the 2018 session. When legislative leaders received the bill draft after 8pm that evening, they quickly noticed the bill draft from Bevin was radically different than what Bevin had promised just a few hours earlier. When that fact was exposed the next day, Bevin responded that he “had not actually read the entire bill”.

Based on the embarrassing lack of planning and preparation on the part of Matthew Griswold Bevin, and his outright misrepresentations to legislative leaders about what was in the bill, there was very little, if any, sentiment among the legislature to do anything but adjourn.

Bevin can (and will) continue to blame the legislature for his failings, and ITC notes that there is plenty for which to blame the legislature. But the failed special session, the dismal lack of preparation and planning, the misrepresentations, and the unnecessary cost to taxpayers are all on the hands of Matthew Griswold Bevin.

Welcome back legislators, lobbyists and all others who converge on Frankfort and our state Capitol for the 2019 session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The session begins Tuesday, January 8th. Our team of contributors here at “Inside the Connector” will be watching AND listening. We will keep you informed of some stories you might not see in the daily newspapers. Our reports will be informative and factual! Stay tuned