1/3/18 — Cherlynn Stevenson

Robert Kahne

Published in

My Old Kentucky Podcast

3 min readJan 4, 2018

Session Starts, Jeff Hoover is playing House of Cards

The session began yesterday, Jan. 2, and man were there some fireworks.
As we talked about in a previous show, Jeff Hoover had to resign DURING the session in order for it to be legal. So, everybody was watching yesterday to see what would happen.
In fact, Jeff Hoover did NOT resign as House Speaker.
The first thing each chamber has to do during the session is approve rules. The rules that were approved yesterday allowed Hoover to empower David Osborne to act as Speaker while the Legislative Ethics Commission continues to investigate his sexual harassment settlement.
The rules that were approved also allows leadership to fill vacancies on the Committee on Committees and Rules Committee and changes the process for seeking expulsion
In a statement to Ronnie Ellis of CHNI, Hoover said: “I felt based on the governor’s comments it was the best decision for me, as well as for my colleagues in the House of Representatives. My decision was made primarily to protect House members from the intervention of the executive branch into purely legislative matters. Almost immediately, I began hearing from members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats, as well as business leaders, political leaders and others across the commonwealth, encouraging me to reconsider my decision to resign. As I consider the best course forward, and in light of the two pending issues before the Legislative Ethics Commission, I have asked Speaker Pro Tempore David Osborne to serve, as the rules of the House of Representatives provide, as the presiding officer until further notice,”
The rules were actually approved with at least 8 Democratic votes (the more liberal Democrats voted against the rules).
Earlier in the day, House Clerk Brad Metcalf was fired. Metcalf had just become House Clerk once Republicans took over the chamber. Confirmation about his status was given by Daisy Olivio, who, in addition to being the House leadership’s communication’s director, is also suing the state in a whistleblower lawsuit regarding Jeff Hoover’s sexual harassment settlement. Metcalf is quoted as saying “It was clearly retribution for me testifying before the ethics commission”
On Christmas Day, Jeff Hoover “offered forgiveness” to GOP lawmakers who “wronged” him, according to a Herald Leader story: “First, Merry Christmas to each of you and your families. Secondly, I want each of you to know that I totally and unconditionally forgive you for all things said and done over the past two months. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior today, I am reminded that Jesus made it clear that we can’t receive God’s grace and then refuse to give it to others who we may think have wronged or hurt us in some way.” It’s not clear exactly who received the texts, but C. Wesley Morgan, his biggest critic in the GOP House caucus, did not receive one.
Today, Rep Phil Moffett, one of Matt Bevin’s allies in the House, filed a complaint against Hoover under the new rules

References

Cherlynn Stevenson

Cherlynn Stevenson is a candidate for the 88th house district, which covers southeast Fayette County. Ms. Stevenson hopes to face incumbent Republican Rep. Robert Benevenuti in the 2018 general election, but does face one (as of yet) opponent in the primary, Josh Mers, who has been the chair of Lexington Fairness. Ms. Stevenson has lived in the 88th district for 18 years, but hails from Knott County and attended Morehead State University. She is involved with several community service organizations including the American Cancer Society.

1/3/18 — Cherlynn Stevenson

Written by Robert Kahne