KyKurmudgeon

Sunday’s column:

This and that before special session hell descends on the state Capitol:

Why “special session hell”? Because the cavernous Capitol does not lend itself to proper climate control.

Like two-thirds of the porridge Goldilocks found at Grizzly Manor, it can be too hot or too cold but seldom feels just right.

When you take warm summer days, add the body heat of all the folks drawn to a legislative session and throw in the voluminous hot air generated by bloviating politicians, you create Dante’s Inferno.

However, our anticipated visit in special session hell is based on the assumption that the agreement House and Senate leaders reached on reforming public pension programs doesn’t fall apart before the opening gavel drops. And experience suggests a handshake between these two sides doesn’t assure anything.

After all, in this year’s regular General Assembly session, Senate President David Williams told reporters that “we will pass the House version” of pension reform if the Democratic-controlled House objected to changes the Republican-controlled Senate made in the legislation.

When House Democrats did object to some of those changes, Williams went back on his word. The end result was that pension reform died in the regular session, which is why we now face the prospect of special session hell.

Assuming, of course, no one goes back on their word this time around.

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State Rep. Greg Stumbo loves chaos. The Prestonsburg Democrat thrives in it. He’s a politician whose plans remain in constant flux until the last possible moment. Even after that moment passes, you must pay close attention, lest the zig he starts out on suddenly becomes a zag.

So, when he tells a couple of reporters he might take a run at Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark in next year’s House leadership races, Stumbo quite possibly could be creating a diversion that holds everyone’s attention while he maneuvers toward his real goal, whatever that might be. Or he really could be considering taking a run at Clark.

But if Stumbo’s upset at House Democratic leaders for failing to support Gov. Steve Beshear’s casino gambling initiative, as he claims to be, it makes no sense to go after Clark, who was one of two members of leadership (Majority Whip Rob Wilkey was the other) who consistently sided with the governor on the issue.

Besides, a speaker pro tem doesn’t get nearly as much time in the spotlight as Stumbo grew accustomed to during 18 years as House majority leader and four years as attorney general.

At least not under Speaker Jody Richards. Unlike Williams, who routinely turns the Senate gavel over to President Pro Tem Katie Stine and retires to his office to plot strategy or whatever else he does there, Richards rarely leaves the House chair for longer than it takes to make a quick visit to the bathroom.

If all Stumbo wanted was to be back in leadership, he could have had it for the asking by speaking up when Wilkey announced his retirement. That would have scared away most if not all of the competition for the post.

But if Stumbo wants to be back at center stage, it would make more sense for him to challenge Richards instead of Clark. In doing so, he possibly could win the support of his longtime friend Majority Leader Rocky Adkins. And after Richards publicly endorsed Rep. Joni Jenkins’ bid for speaker pro tem, Stumbo certainly could count on the backing of Clark and his supporters.

That would be a formidable threesome to contend with in leadership elections. And it could be bolstered by support from anti-Richards candidates for whip and caucus chairman.

So, what will Stumbo do? He probably doesn’t know yet. And certainly, the rest of us won’t know until he decides the time is right to tell us. But the chaos in which he thrives has begun.

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Education Commissioner Jon Draud’s contrition for pimping his state ride came way too late to be considered heartfelt.