Kentucky News Now – September 25th 2015

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Kentucky clerk Kim Davis blames governor for legal woes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky clerk Kim Davis has filed a 40-page court document blaming Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear for all of her legal woes.

Davis was hauled to jail for defying a series of federal court orders and refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The day the Supreme Court effectively legalized gay marriage in June, Beshear sent a letter to the state's 120 county clerks directing them to issue licenses. Davis on Thursday complained that in doing so he "commandeered" county clerk's offices and "usurped control of Kentucky marriage law."

Davis stopped issuing licenses altogether. Four couples sued her and she filed a counter-suit against Beshear, alleging that his refusal to exempt religious clerks from authorizing same-sex marriage violated her right to religious freedom.

Beshear has asked a judge to dismiss the suit.

ALITO-KENTUCKY

Justice Alito makes case against televising arguments

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito says oral arguments before the court would turn into a "forum for soundbites" if they were televised.

Alito told a University of Kentucky audience on Thursday night that televising arguments would not make for riveting TV. And he joked that allowing C-SPAN to cover the Supreme Court might result in the court having the same popularity rating as Congress, which is already covered by C-SPAN.

Alito offered his audience a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life as a justice.

On the topic of TV cameras in the courtroom, he pointed to a snippet of the arguments the court heard in the first case involving President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Alito noted that opponents of the law used a snippet of the arguments for a TV commercial.

MINIMUM WAGE

Kentucky Supreme Court to review Louisville's minimum wage

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Supreme Court will decide whether Louisville's new minimum wage law is legal.

The Louisville Metro Council voted last year to raise the minimum wage in Kentucky's largest city to $9 an hour by 2017. The Kentucky Restaurant Association sued the city to try and block the increase, arguing it would hurt business.

A state appeals court upheld the minimum wage law in June. The minimum wage in Louisville increased 50 cents on July 1 to $7.75 per hour.

Louisville was the first city in Kentucky to raise the minimum wage, bypassing the state legislature, which has refused to pass similar proposals. Other local governments have also bucked the state legislature by passing local laws banning closed union shops. Those laws are also being challenged in court.

GOP 2016-BUSH-CAUCUS

Jeb Bush first to file for Kentucky's presidential caucus

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is the first person to file for Kentucky's presidential caucus.

Bush filed his paperwork on Thursday during a visit to Louisville for a state Republican party fundraiser. He also paid a $15,000 filing fee.

Kentucky normally has a presidential primary in May. But this year, the Republican Party of Kentucky voted to have a presidential caucus on March 5. That way, Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul could run for president and re-election to his U.S. Senate seat at the same time without breaking a state law that bans candidates from appearing on the ballot twice in the same election.

Despite Paul's advantage, other candidates have shown interest in the caucus. Thursday, Republican candidate Marco Rubio told Kentucky Sports Radio he planned to compete in Kentucky.

GOP 2016-RUBIO

Rubio calls Trump 'touchy and insecure'

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio says GOP front-runner Donald Trump is "touchy and insecure."

The Florida senator jabbed the real estate mogul during an interview with a Kentucky radio show Thursday. Rubio said Trump's debate performance last week exposed his weaknesses to voters.

Rubio spoke for about 15 minutes on Kentucky Sports Radio, the most widely listened-to sports talk show in the state.

Trump called Rubio a "lightweight" the day before and criticized his foreign policy experience. Rubio fired back on Thursday. He said Trump is "not really well informed on the issues" and relies on attacking people.

Rubio has avoided going after Trump for much of the year. Early polls show Trump atop the crowded Republican field, but Rubio is moving up in the polls.

RUBISON GLOBAL

Lexington-based company raises $50 million in investments

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Lexington-based recycling company raised $50 million in its latest round of financing that included investments from Uber executives and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Rubicon Global operates in all 50 states and helps companies figure out the best way to dispose of their waste. The company was founded in 2008 by Lexington native Nate Morris.

The company's new investors include Wall Street staples Goldman Sachs and Wellington Management Co. along with David Plouffe, a board member for the ride-sharing service Uber better known as the campaign manager for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

Morris said he plans to use the money to update the company's technology and on-demand services. Morris said the latest financing values the company at $500 million.