Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement of support for Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and the effort to re-introduce industrial hemp into Kentucky agriculture. Leader McConnell’s office issued the following statement:

“After long discussions with Senator Rand Paul and Commissioner James Comer on the economic benefits of industrialized hemp, I am convinced that allowing its production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy. Commissioner Comer has assured me that his office is committed to pursuing industrialized hemp production in a way that does not compromise Kentucky law enforcement’s marijuana eradication efforts or in any way promote illegal drug use. The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real, and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times, that sounds like a good thing to me.”

On the day when the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission voted to support Senate Bill 50, another Kentucky law enforcement group announced its opposition to the measure.

Senate Bill 50, sponsored by state Sen. Paul Hornback, would legalize hemp production for industrial purposes within Kentucky. Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer has been promoting the legislation and cause heavily for many months as a new revenue source for Kentucky.

A similar bill is also pending in the state House of Representatives.

Thousands of low- and middle-income Kentuckians are eligible for assistance

As part of National Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day, Governor Steve Beshear launched his annual campaign to urge eligible Kentuckians to apply for the tax credit.  The EITC is a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families.

“Nearly half a million low-wage earning Kentucky taxpayers are eligible to receive the EITC and I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for this credit,” Gov. Beshear said. “Despite being employed, many hardworking Kentuckians and their families face financial struggles and this credit is a valuable resource they can use to help buy food and clothes, pay bills and more.”

Unemployment rates fell in 97 Kentucky counties between December 2011 and December 2012, while 21 county rates increased and two stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.4 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Union counties, 5.9 percent each; Franklin and Oldham counties, 6.1 percent each; Madison and Shelby counties, 6.2 percent each; Scott County, 6.3 percent; Jessamine County, 6.4 percent; and Daviess and Warren counties, 6.5 percent each.

By: Michael W. Grochowski, Social Security Regional Commissioner in Atlanta

April’s showers bring more than just May’s flowers — they also bring the deadline day for filing taxes. Don’t wait until the showers arrive to prepare for tax season. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree, or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you.

Barack Obama publicly took the oath of office for his second term on Monday, January 21 and it's obvious to all that he intends this term to be very different from the first. He clearly sees himself as a defender of the poor working class against the rich and powerful and of the rights of all people equally as well as the protector of our planet.

In his inaugural speech, just over 18 minutes, a short one by historical standards, Obama was the first president ever to use the word "gay" as he addressed the rights of gay Americans. He offered hope to the middle class with the promise of new policies,  to the gays with promises of rights and recognition and promised to respond to the threat of climate change for the future of our children and future generations.

By Scott Wartman

Gun owners in Kentucky and around the country have rushed out to buy guns in fear of proposed gun control regulations proposed by President Barack Obama.

Obama signed 23 executive orders last week and outlined a plan to tighten federal regulations on guns.

He has asked Congress to pass legislation that would require background checks on all firearm purchases, including from private sellers not currently required under federal law. Obama also wants Congress to ban military-style assault weapons and place a limit on high-capacity magazines.

These strict federal laws would contrast with what’s on the books in Kentucky, which many gun control advocates rate as a state with some of the least restrictive gun laws in the country.

By Scott Wartman

Many Kentucky tea party leaders anticipate someone among their ranks will step forward to challenge the state’s senior senator in the Republican Primary in 2014.

Several state tea party groups distanced themselves from U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell on Tuesday and a statement signed by 14 groups, including four in Northern Kentucky, under the name United Kentucky Tea Party criticized McConnell’s recent overtures to the tea party movement.

In 2012, McConnell hired the former campaign manager of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, Jesse Benton, to manage his campaign.

Kentucky’s thriving automotive industry enjoyed a banner year in 2012, with annual production reaching more than one million vehicles for the first time since 2007, before the national economic downturn.

With more than 1,025,000 light vehicles produced, Kentucky ranks fourth in the nation for total light vehicle production, up from fifth in 2011, according to a state news release. Kentucky produced more than 477,000 cars, ranking third, and fourth for light trucks with more than 548,000. Additionally, one in every 10 light vehicles produced in the United States during 2012 was made in Kentucky.

With the holidays over and the guests out of the house, many are turning their attention to another annual tradition — the New Year’s resolution.

While Kentucky Utilities Company and Louisville Gas and Electric Company can’t motivate someone to go to the gym, the utilities can inspire you to save energy this year with a variety of energy efficiency programs available to residential electric customers.

Here are five energy-saving resolutions for the New Year:

1. Perform a Home Energy Analysis: KU and LG&E offer two types: online and on-site. The online home energy analysis takes about 10 minutes and provides a customized report that includes recommendations on how to save energy. Or, sign up for an on-site home energy analysis and a certified technician will assess your home’s energy efficiency. Financial incentives are also available to eligible customers who take action to make their homes more energy efficient as a result of an on-site analysis.