Columns

From the standpoint of the newly approved needle exchange program being a health issue rather than a drug issue, I applaud the local governing bodies for their forward thinking.
In my experience covering government meetings, I must say that I was surprised by the Cynthiana City Commission’s and Harrison County Fiscal Court’s consent to back the program. I, apparently unfairly, expected the city and county leaders to drag their collective feet.

It’s way too early to pass judgment on Kentucky’s new governor, Matt Bevin, as he’s barely three months into his first term.
His hokey, ill-conceived and condescending social posting  several weeks ago, left a bad taste in most people’s mouths, Democrat and Republican, alike.
Let’s set the stage. He had released his first biennium budget proposal as governor. He knew that it would rankle the democrats in the democratic-controlled House of Representatives as it did what he promised, slashed state spending.

ACROSS
1. Santa and Uncle Sam have this in common
6. Be in a cast
9. Plural of cecum
13. *”____ beaver”
14. *”Pitching ____”
15. Sacrificial spot
16. Less than 90 degrees
17. Grass bristle
18. Had in mind
19. *”Retail ____”
21. *”____ it”
23. Bruin legend Bobby
24. Forbidden fruit, e.g.
25. *”____, humbug!”
28. Ready and eager
30. Foot part
35. Mosque V.I.P.

As the General Assembly wraps up much of its work early this week, the biggest item on the agenda is passing a budget to run state government for the next two years.
House and Senate leaders sat down last Thursday to begin working on a compromise, coming to the table with broad agreement in some areas and some significant differences in others.
Overall, the chambers’ two budget proposals follow Gov. Bevin’s plan to scale back government and put that money toward the long-term liability facing our retirement systems for state employees and teachers.