Notes from Bruce
- Quite a week in politics. Just in Kentucky, there was this:
- The General Assembly convened their 60-legislative-day session, where they have to do a budget. The start was slow, but picked up speed a little on Friday.
- The filing deadline to run in the 2026 elections was on Friday, with a number of last-minute filings. I just posted a summary of the numbers by party, which you can read here.
- There were “ICE Out for Good” rallies all across the state. Berry Craig covered the one in Paducah, and we’ve got both his story and some good pics in the story listed below.
- And, Thomas Massie continues to go after President Trump on the Venezuela situation.
- On the ForwardKY front, a number of you have adjusted your membership level to be sure you can continue to get the perks and newsletters you want. More on that below.
- And, I’ll be speaking in Boyle County on Tuesday night to the Boyle County Women’s Network at the Intercounty RECC community room (1009 Hustonville Rd.). If you’re in or near there, come on by and say hello!
As always, thank you for being a member of Forward Kentucky!
Bruce
A word from our sponsor
This newsletter is sponsored by Joe Graviss, who encourages all of us to remember this updated version of the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the patience to work with the unjust systems I cannot change today; the courage to strategically enact progress when I know I can; and the wisdom to know that despite structural oppression, I can still make a difference. Amen.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Go here to learn more.
An Important Reminder About Newsletters
If you read last week’s newsletter, you know that I have adjusted the membership levels and the perks that go with them. Because I don’t want anyone caught off guard, here are the perks (mostly newsletters) and the minimum level you need to be at in order to receive them
- Get Action Alerts and leave comments – Patron ($5 month / $55 a year)
- Get the Daily Wrap and Bruce’s Take – Patron Plus ($7 / $77)
- Use the Bill Trackers – Partner ($9 / $99)
- Get the every-morning General Assembly Update ($11 / $121)
You can always check your membership level by logging into the site and clicking the Account link at the top. To check it now, go here. (Wait on the popup.)
An alternative
If you only want one of the perks above, you can purchase it separately. Just set your membership to Patron, then go here to purchase one of those for a year.
This Week’s Content
Most-Read Articles
Bruce Maples
Guest Author
The Rest of the Content
By our contributors
So, how close did Dems come to contesting every seat in the Lege? – And did they do better or worse than two years ago?
Analysis & Policy,Elections • By Bruce Maples • (Link)
Paducah protesters say ‘ICE Out for Good’ – Hundreds turn out, some for the first time
News, Activism • By Berry Craig • (Link)
The Paducah anti-ICE rally: a photo gallery – Never mind the cold: these everyday citizens came out to exercise their First Amendment rights, and to say “ICE Out for Good!”
News, Media • By Berry Craig • (Link)
Canadian: ‘The world doesn’t trust your country’ – “Being strong doesn’t mean you get to ignore the rules. Being strong means that you are strong enough to follow them even when you don’t like the outcome.”
Commentary • By Berry Craig • (Link)
Kentucky’s General Assembly wages war on DEI ... yes, again – Repubs are fighting the Alphabet Wars (DEI, CRT, etc.) instead of making things better for Kentuckians.
Commentary, KYGA • By Teri Carter • (Link)
Venezuela costs us too much – Why spend millions “helping out” another country, when our own needs are so great?
Commentary • By Emily Burton Sherman • (Link)
Explainer: The Trump-Putin-Xi redesign of the world – To understand some of Trump’s move, you need to understand the bigger picture and the ultimate goals.
Explainer • By Bruce Maples • (Link)
The U.S. plays bully in South America once again – Smedley Butler knew the score – and the same game is being played.
Commentary • By Berry Craig • (Link)
Governor Beshear’s Big Night – Aaron, Kim & Dr. Clardy respond to Gov. Beshear's State of the Commonwealth address, and the start of #KYGA26
Media • By Progress Kentucky • (Link)
The cowards in DC playing the short game – And ignoring the long-term consequences of their cowardice
Commentary • By Bruce Maples • (Link)
Analyzing the JCPS School Board Supreme Court case – This week, Jazmin dove deep into the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling which overturned 2022's SB 1, which impacted the way JCPS could govern the school district. Also, Robert looked at some quick hits.
Media • By Jazmin Smith and Robert Kahne • (Link)
Candidates – Watch out for this barrier – A new condition for filing
News, Elections • By Bruce Maples • (Link)
When Trump’s term is finally up, we must burn his legacy to the ground – Berry Craig says Charlie Pierce has it exactly right.
Commentary • By Berry Craig • (Link)
Important update – please read! – Multiple announcements in this weekly newsletter, including a key one
Weekly Newsletter • By Bruce Maples • (Link)
From other sources
This Kentucky General Assembly is going to be very different for the public – Temporary building; no galleries to watch from; no Rotunda for rallies.
News, KYGA • By McKenna Horsley • (Link)
The US used to be really dirty – environmental cleanup laws have made a huge difference – It’s time we get over our “environmental amnesia” and remember how bad it was, including in Louisville, and why these laws were put in place.
Analysis & Policy, Climate and Environment • By The Conversation • (Link)
Venezuela won’t be the end. You’re naive if you think so. – “A sitting president who believes there are no limits is not projecting strength. He is advertising danger, lawlessness, and impunity.”
Commentary • By Guest Author • (Link)
How Kentucky lawmakers on Capitol Hill are responding to U.S. strike on Venezuela – Not necessarily along party lines.
News • By Guest Author • (Link)
A Hot Girl’s Guide to #KYGA26 – Session is here, y'all.
Feature, KYGA • By Olivia Krauth • (Link)
Can a nice guy finish first? Republican Michael Adams ponders a run for Kentucky governor – Thinking beyond this new year to 2027, Kentucky Republican Michael Adams is weighing a complicated question — could he be the type of candidate who gets Kentuckians to focus on the state’s challenges instead of the national politics of the day.
Feature, Elections • By McKenna Horsley • (Link)
In 2026, Kentucky kids need more than political rhetoric from their legislature – No more “wait till next year” or “it’s difficult.” Just get it done.
Commentary, KYGA • By Kentucky Lantern • (Link)
SOKY Indivisible holds protest in response to recent U.S., Venezuela conflict – SOKY Indivisible held a protest in Bowling Green Monday afternoon, making their voices heard on the recent conflict in Venezuela.
News, Activism • By Guest Author • (Link)
2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage – The Trump administration is unraveling three key components of U.S. foreign policy.
Analysis & Policy, Authoritarianism & Fascism • By The Conversation • (Link)
Another Kentucky income tax cut uncertain amid a ‘difficult’ budget process – In three of the last four years, Kentucky Republicans have kicked off the legislative session by cutting the state’s individual income tax rate, aiming to eventually eliminate the tax altogether. This year, amid economic headwinds, another tax cut remains uncertain.
News, Analysis & Policy, KYGA • By Liam Niemeyer • (Link)
Kentucky lawmakers file bills for ‘Charlie Kirk Day,’ axing DEI, and upping minimum wage – House must review impeachment petitions, including one against sitting Supreme Court justice.
News, KYGA • By McKenna Horsley • (Link)
Sen. Rand Paul challenges U.S. military action in Venezuela – Says Congress must approve any further actions.
News • By Guest Author • (Link)
Kentucky group advocates cannabis decriminalization at capitol – Support HB 225, which includes letting voters decide the issue.
News, KYGA • By Guest Author • (Link)
Kentucky bill seeks to stop criminalizing reproductive care after abortion arrest – Doesn’t change Kentucky abortion ban, but does provide some safeguards.
News, KYGA • By Guest Author • (Link)
In new poll, Kentuckians say income tax cuts aren’t helping – Repubs have repeatedly cut the income tax rate – even though that loss of revenue has damaged state programs, including education.
Analysis & Policy, Taxes • By Guest Author • (Link)
Gov. Beshear: The State of the Commonwealth is strong despite national challenges – Kentucky leads the way in reigniting the American Dream for families.
Press Release • By Forward Kentucky • (Link)
Kentucky House Democrats roll out legislative agenda – “A Common Vision for the Commonwealth” – Communities of thriving families
News, Press Release, KYGA • By Guest Author • (Link)
Gov. Beshear calls for keeping American Dream alive, as GOP largely skips annual speech – Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear gave his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening, but Republicans largely weren’t there to hear it.
News, KYGA • By McKenna Horsley • (Link)
Rand Paul and four other Repubs join Dems to pass War Powers Resolution – Senate action says Trump cannot invade Venezuela without Congressional approval.
News • By Kentucky Lantern • (Link)
Sen. Mitch McConnell challenges Trump on Greenland comments – “Unseemly and counter-productive”
News • By Guest Author • (Link)
The Republican Ten Commandments – Should these also be on the Capitol grounds?
Commentary • By Guest Author • (Link)
Immigrant citizens would be barred from local, state offices in Kentucky under proposed bills – A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to keep naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky.
News, KYGA • By Guest Author • (Link)
Immigrant citizen inspired to run for Kentucky office: ‘Not the time to sit on the sidelines’ – A naturalized citizen was inspired to run for the Kentucky House a day after GOP bills were filed to ban immigrants from public office, saying it’s “not the time to sit on the sidelines.”
News, Elections • By Guest Author • (Link)
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote – Seventeen Republicans joined all Dems to pass the bill.
News, Healthcare • By Kentucky Lantern • (Link)
Massie blasts Venezuela intervention in NYT interview – More congressional GOP members likely break with Trump on Venezuela, but won't speak out, Massie claims.
News • By Guest Author • (Link)
Bill Straub: There’s much more to Trump’s Greenland obsession than national security – And it begins with “rare earth” and ends with “minerals”
Commentary • By Guest Author • (Link)
This Week’s Activism Events
Calendars will be back next week!
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