The impeachment inquiry in the U.S. House of Representatives has moved into a new phase in which witnesses are testifying publicly in front of the House Intelligence Committee and being questioned by members of both political parties.

What will you be doing on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month? My plans for that day are reflection. The 11th day of November is set aside every year as Veterans Day to pay our respects to not only veterans who are no longer with us, but also brave men and women, past and present…

The Georgetown News-Graphic recently polled its readers about the current impeachment process and found them evenly split in their support and opposition.

With just 45 words the founders guaranteed five — no six — basic freedoms, fundamental American rights. 

Hunger is a reality for nearly 700,000 Kentuckians, including 1 in 5 children. They live in every single county and legislative district in the Bluegrass state.

No issue has received more legislative attention over the last two years than the potential failure of our public pension systems. Our state employee pension system remains one of the worst funded in the United States. Other systems, including the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), still hav…

Even in a prosperous community such as Scott County, it is hard to believe almost 15 percent of our children are food insecure.

Originally published in the News-Graphic in 1999.

Amid the ongoing trade tensions, the White House issued a proclamation on May 17 with the conclusion that Toyota’s contributions to the economy along with other international automakers have reduced the market share of “American-owned” companies and thereby are a national security threat.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on June 27, 1999.

It is teacher and staff appreciation week in Scott County.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on May 2, 1999.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on  April 18, 1999.

Scott County — Home of the Cardinals, Home of the first North America Toyota Plant, Home of the 200-foot Tower of Trash. Wait ... what? Many Scott Countians are not aware of what is happening in our northern corner. I would like to correct some prior misleading information. There has been di…

An invective hurled at school-choice supporters by Lexington Democratic Rep. Kelly Flood during a recent legislative committee hearing to consider a bill that would make Kentucky the 19th state to implement a scholarship tax credit program offers a clear demonstration of the Urban Dictionary…

I am proud to represent the people of central and eastern Kentucky in a seat in Congress that has existed for more than 200 years. It is a seat which has been occupied by many great statesmen including the Great Compromiser, Henry Clay. I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of these states…

This week, my baby girl turns 15.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Feb. 28, 1999.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Feb. 14, 1999.

You may have heard the joke that asks, “What do you call 32 Kentuckians in a room?” The answer, of course, is, “A full set of teeth.”

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Feb. 7, 1999.  

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Jan. 31, 1999.

The decision to cancel school impacts many people in our community. We make the best decision based on the information we have, keeping the safety of our students and staff at the forefront. Any superintendent or transportation director will tell you that one of his/her most difficult decisi…

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Jan. 24, 1999.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Jan. 17, 1999.

Taxes, everyone’s favorite subject.

Originally published in the News-Graphic on Jan. 3, 1999.

Merry Christmas! With the holiday season upon us, our attention naturally begins to turn to thoughts of spending time with family and friends, the hustle and bustle of Christmas activities and the anticipation of good fortunes in the new year.

This fall, I’ve been visiting our schools and I am seeing first-hand the excitement and creativity taking place in our classrooms. Our schools are full of energetic and dedicated individuals who are committed to ensuring our students receive the best educational opportunities while attending…

This year’s election turned a promised blue wave nationally into something akin to a blue slosh or purple puddle — pick your metaphor — as progressives’ hopes for an overwhelming repudiation of President Donald Trump and his populist policies didn’t transpire.

Billy Brannock’s memory fails him now. Perhaps, in some ways that is a blessing.

Our city is beautiful, growing, thriving. But hunger lives here. Its zip code is 40324.  

Tim Abrams, executive director of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association, in an article in The Frankfort State Journal purported to respond to my recent column which noted that protesters who marched on Frankfort against the mild pension legislation passed during this year’s General Assem…

Kentucky’s economy is surging forward. After nearly a decade of sluggish growth, Republican leadership in both Washington and Frankfort is helping encourage job creation and economic opportunity.

First, the good news: Kentucky’s unemployment rate is among the lowest ever.

The Bluegrass state has been home to Toyota for more than three decades. It was our first U.S. plant, and it has become Toyota’s largest manufacturing plant in the world.

While channel-surfing the television recently, I caught the last half of the 1954 film “On The Waterfront,” a powerful movie portraying the triumph of a New York City longshoreman, played by Marlon Brando, against brutally corrupt union officials determined to silence him after he testified …

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the values on which our great nation was founded. Written in the Declaration of Independence, these words ring true for all Americans and have held fast for more than two centuries. Ratified on July 4, 1776, the Declaration has long been held in…

Not even two years into the Trump administration, our country is finally getting back on the right track.

On Sept. 11, 2001, one of the most memorable moments that emerged out of the death and chaos was the sight of three firefighters hoisting an American flag on a makeshift pole atop the rubble of the World Trade Center.

“Only let me warm my nose inside your tent,” said the camel to his master. (If you don’t know the fable, Google it.)

Across the Bluegrass, Kentuckians await the arrival of Memorial Day weekend. As family and friends gather, it is imperative to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting our country. The brave men and women who fought and died, defending the freedom we covet as Americans, dese…

Those who’ve convinced themselves that teachers’ union contracts don’t affect how flexible, innovative and ultimately successful a school district is in educating future generations also likely believe Russia colluded with Donald Trump’s campaign to keep Hillary Clinton from becoming president.

Middle school can often be a time of intense growth and transition with children. As my son entered middle school, I was fully prepared to handle any zany changes along his path to high school. But little did I know that our Royal Spring Middle School had a secret weapon: a wonderful mentors…

Communication has been a topic of interest to me for decades. I have studied the topic a lot. But, I still would challenge anyone who would say I know anything about communication. The learning curve is steep and in direct proportion to the potential for misinterpretation. But I also know I …

While numerous policies beneficial to all Kentuckians were passed in the 2018 session, children and families were the major winners.

Nowadays there are a lot of unintended consequences to almost everything.

As the season turns to spring new life is budding everywhere, along with the sudden appearance of multi-colored, multi-sized wordy posters that announce it’s also a new election season.

When I was in Frankfort a week or two ago and standing in the rotunda of the Capitol, teachers lined the balconies. I knew something big was going on.