Wednesday, March 5, 2003

AG candidate introduces plan to fight drug abuse


Political notebook

map

Kentucky Attorney General candidate Chris Gorman has released a 10-point plan to "fight the rising problem with methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse," according to a statement from his campaign.

Gorman, a Louisville Democrat, said the plan is cost-efficient and "comes at no additional expense to Kentucky taxpayers.

The plan includes:

• More education for prosecutors.

• A review of probation statutes and procedures in dealing with drug offenders.

• Expanding drug courts across the state.

• Increased funding for Kentucky State Police crime labs.

• Requiring anyone convicted of making or trafficking methamphetamine to pay for toxicology tests and cleanup of so-called meth labs.

Gorman is one of three Democrats seeking the party's nomination for attorney general, an office he held from 1992 to 1996. The others are state Rep. Greg Stumbo of Prestonsburg, the Kentucky House Democratic floor leader, and state Auditor Ed Hatchett of Glasgow.

• • •

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a luncheon to discuss the 2003 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

The Legislative Wrap-up lunch will be March 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Metropolitan Club, 50 W. RiverCenter Blvd., Covington.Featured speakers will be Rep. Charlie Walton, R-Florence, the chairman of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus, and Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, who is vice chairman of the caucus.

Cost is $30 for chamber members, $40 for others. Reservations can be made by calling the chamber at (859) 578-6395 or by registering online at www.nkychamber.com.

• • •

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Nunn is holding a fund-raiser Thursday in Northern Kentucky.

Nunn is a state representative from Glasgow and the son of former Gov. Louie Nunn.

The event will be from 5-8 p.m. at the Five Seasons Country Club, 345 Thomas More Parkway in Crestview Hills. For information, (859) 468-6866.

Co-hosts include state Rep. Jon Draud, R-Crestview Hills; builder Ray Beil; developers Bill Butler, Jim Berling and Dan Zalla; Kenton County GOP leader Jerri Collins; University of Kentucky Regent Alice Sparks; and lawyers John Brooking, Ed Monohan Sr. and Todd McMurtry.

Other GOP candidates for governor include Lexington Congressman Ernie Fletcher and Jefferson County Judge-executive Rebecca Jackson.

• • •

Kentucky State Rep. Paul Marcotte, R-Union, has been reappointed to a two-year term as chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council's Trade and Transportation Task Force.

According to a statement from the council, which claims 2,400 state lawmakers as members, Marcotte will "play a major role in commissioning research, publishing papers and sponsoring seminars addressing issues that affect infrastructure and road improvement plans, as well as developing new marketplaces and promoting economic development."

Marcotte, who is in his fifth term in Frankfort, said the "task force works with two of the most important issues we face, transportation and commerce."

"This position has allowed me to focus on not only policies that work, but also to learn why others fail," he said.

In the General Assembly, Marcotte serves on, among other committees, the House Transportation, Capital Projects and Bond Oversight committees.

• • •

The Boone County Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting March 17 at 6 p.m. in the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd.

For information, contact party Chairman Howard Tankersley by phone, (859) 282-8054, or e-mail, howardtakersley@fuse.net.

To submit an item for Political Notes, contact Patrick Crowley by e-mail, pcrowley@enquirer.com; phone, (859) 578-5581; fax, (859) 578-5565; or mail, Kentucky Enquirer, 226 Grandview Dr., Fort Mitchell, KY 41017.