Slots plan would provide up to $700 million for schools

This from Bluegrass Politics:

FRANKFORT — House Democrats hope to use gambling proceeds from slots at racetracks to fund a large-scale program that would spend up to $700 million replacing dozens of the state’s oldest school buildings.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said the proposal would stimulate the stagnant economy and improve schools, but critics suggested that Democrats are simply promising construction projects to lawmakers who agree to support slots....

It would use tax revenues generated by video lottery terminals to pay off bonds that would fund the replacement of all schools that are 40 years or older, known as category five schools, and some that are 30 to 40 years old, known as category four schools.

There are approximately 16 schools older than 40 years. Another 142 are 30 to 40 years old, including two in Fayette County, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

The two in Fayette County are Clays Mill Elementary and Mary Todd Elementary.

The total cost to replace all of the category five and four schools is more than $708 million. But Stumbo said it’s unlikely that all of the schools would be replaced...

Damron invites us to pack heat on campus

It seems that no matter how much I prep over a break, It's still tough to blog at the beginning of the semester. So much to do. It's hard to keep organized.

So, if you'll excuse me for a moment - I'd like to check to make sure I've got everything I need to meet the needs of my students on campus today.

Got up.
Took the dogs out.
Showered...etc.
Ironed my pants.
Gathered student papers that need grading today.
Organized my bag.
Kissed Rita goodbye.

OK, I'm set.

OH WAIT ! I almost forgot.

I still need to get the .357 magnum out from under my pillow and take it to school. Because if I'm not packin,' the terrorists win.

This from the Herald-Leader:

Bill would allow guns on campus

State Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, signed up 44 co-sponsors Tuesday for his bill that would allow people who park on public university property to keep a legally registered gun in their vehicle.

Currently, this can be prohibited by weapons policies set by the state universities.

"All this bill does is say you're going to be treated like everyone else," Damron said. "Anywhere else you can have a gun in your car." ...

...The University of Kentucky bans guns on campus. And UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the university wants to retain its authority to set its
policy.

"We believe that policy best serves the safety of our students and employees," Blanton said. "We would hope that the members of the Kentucky General Assembly recognize that the university administration and board of trustees are rightfully suited to manage and set policy that is in the best interest of the campus."

Guns at universities became a national issue after the mass shooting last spring at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., where a student gunman killed 32 people and then himself.

Morehead State University President Wayne Andrews said the bill "gives me great concern. I think we need to tread very lightly with the issue of weapons on campus." ...

But when Damron is thinking more clearly, he proposes things like this:

Higher ed would get spending flexibility
SPENDING, BOND HURDLES WOULD BE GONE

FRANKFORT --State universities would have more flexibility to spend their own money if bills approved overwhelmingly Tuesday by the House budget committee become law.

The proposals would allow universities to bypass the state budget when financing construction projects with their own cash. The schools could also issue bonds that wouldn't count against the state's debt limit, although they would still need lawmakers' approval for those projects.

However, lawmakers would not be forced to pick and choose among projects simply because the state can't afford to take on more debt.

"We would be looking at those projects on their merit only," said Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, sponsor of House Bills 111 and 177.

In 2006, Former Gov. Ernie Fletcher vetoed more than $300 million in projects, most of which were university projects that would have been paid for with revenue generated by the universities -- not taxes....

This also from the Herald-Leader.