Life may seem daunting these days and we’re all just trying to succeed. But a hectic world is no reason for us all not to remain as informed as possible. So check out these stories impacting our region this week that should be on your radar. Save the links for later if you need and bookmark what’s helpful or interesting. We’ll do our best to share what we find interesting in the weeks to come, so stay tuned.
Winter just won’t leave us alone and it’s back today in full force. Snow showers will be scattered and accumulations should be less than an inch today, up to 2 inches for the weekend total. Light, patchy snow is expected to stick with us through Saturday and temperatures are going to be coooold. So cold that a cold weather advisory begins at midnight central time. Windchills will be as low as negative 5. Partly sunny Sunday to give us a breather before we have to deal with more precipitation mid-week. [WXorNotBG – YouTube]
In light of national unease regarding massive data centers, the Simpson County Fiscal Court took measures to regulate unchecked development with simple and easy to obtain conditional use permits. That upset the developer of a planned 200,000 square foot data center in Franklin and they’ve filed suit. While the construction of the project would employ 100-200 people, according to the developers, there’s no word on how many permanent jobs will be created once the facility is finished. [Bowling Green Daily News]
Kentucky’s Secretary of State recently announced that voter registration surged during the month of December. 86% of new registrations were Republican, up 5,690, for a total of 1,601,098. Democratic Party registration fell by 4,580 for a total of 1,375,378 voters. Independent or “other” registrations increased by 1,018 for a total of 372,973. This continues a now years-long trend of Democrats losing 4,000-5,000 voters per month. [Press Release]
Did you know you can track the status of your state tax return online in the Commonwealth of Kentucky? Check out this state government website within the Kentucky Department of Revenue to track yours. [Where’s My Refund?]
Property tax exemptions are one step closer to being a reality for people 65 and older. Senate Bill 51, if passed, will allow Kentucky voters to decide if retirement-aged individuals will get a sweet property tax deduction. [WCLU Radio & Legislative Research Commission]
While Kentucky was under a state of emergency due to a winter storm, Attorney General Russell Coleman opened the state’s price gouging hotline. General Coleman reported that more than 70 complaints were filed in just a couple days. If a business is taking advantage of people, report it. It only takes a few minutes of your time. [WBKO & Report Price Gouging]
According to the Office of the State Budget Director in Frankfort, Kentucky’s General Fund and Road Fund continue to struggle. Despite claims of economic development riches, the General Fund fell 3.4% in December and was down nearly 1% for the year. The Road Fund fell 0.9% and is only up 0.2% for the year. Major business taxes declined a whopping 20.8% for the month and 41.9% for the year. Individual income taxes, however, increased for the fifth time in six months for a 4.2% jump. [Press Release]
Hey, keep reading! It’s not all doom and gloom. Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted (preliminary) unemployment rate was just 4.5% in December, according to the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. That rate is down 0.2% from November and 0.8% from a year ago. That’s just 0.1% higher than the national number. Granted, only 1,732 jobs were added in December, but this is still good news. [Press Release & Unemployment Rate Chart & Employment Chart]
Republican Congressman Andy Barr decided to stop in Franklin this week. He’s running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mitch McConnell, facing several other Republicans in the May primary. No word on whether his sudden burst of activity is motivated by the $10 million gift one of his opponents received from the owner of an electric car company. [WNKY]
Change Research found in the Kentucky Policy Poll that support for labor unions and a wealth tax are growing. 47% now favorably view unions and just 25% view them negatively. 67% of people support increased taxes on the wealthiest 5%. Unsurprising: a majority of Kentuckians now believe that Americans are doing worse today than they were a year ago. What may surprise you: a majority of poll respondents were Republican. [Courier-Journal & KY Policy Poll – PDF LINK]
Are you keeping up with what the Bowling Green Board of Commissioners is up to? No? Here’s the reminder you need to take some time to pay attention to what’s occurring in your community. Hit play on the January 20 meeting and listen in the background while you do something else. Do it every time there’s a public meeting. Yes, it’s acceptable to fast forward through the boring parts. [YouTube]
Once you finish with that, bookmark the main city YouTube page or subscribe to the city’s channel for free. That way you’ll always be informed without anyone’s opinion mixed in. It’s your city so you might as well stay as up-to-date as you can. [More BG YouTube Stuff]
Bowling Green’s Salvation Army warming shelter has been overflowing all week. With severe winter weather came closure of several church shelters that forced homeless and unhoused or under-housed individuals to seek safety. Overcrowding is something we should all take more seriously and if we have the means, it’s our duty to help our fellow man. Please give what you can and if you can. [WKU Herald & SVABG]
Finally, some proposed education legislation we can almost all agree on. State Senator Julie Raque Adams has filed Senate Bill 2 to prevent superintendent and other school administrators from receiving pay raises that outpace raises for classroom teachers. Go read about it, explore the legislation and form your own opinion. But whatever you do, please stay informed. [Herald-Leader & Legislative Research Commission]