Published: February 25, 2007 11:43 pm      

Dual roles present hazards for Richards

by Ronnie Ellis

FRANKFORT — Two years ago, some Democratic House members wanted state Rep. Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, to choose between running for re-election as Speaker of the House or running for governor. That apparently wasn’t a problem this year, as Richards was easily re-elected and then filed as a candidate in the Democratic primary for governor.

But it might be a problem for Richards now.

Richards must help shepherd bills through the House with an eye toward what is possible in the Republican Senate. Legislation important to traditional Democratic constituencies often faces a cool reception in the Senate, things like increasing the minimum wage. Others, like mine safety and social worker protections, require money and this is a non-budget session with Democrats maintaining it’s not wise to open up the budget. But those things are important to various Democratic constituents.

One House Democrat says one of Richards’ strengths as Speaker is that “no one can stay angry with Jody for more than 30 minutes” because he tries so hard to get along with everyone. But that sometimes leaves everyone feeling less than entirely satisfied.

Organized labor and advocacy groups aren’t in a compromising mood on minimum wage, mine safety, or the “Boni Bill,” which would strengthen social worker protections. Each is a natural issue for Richards who seemed well positioned in a crowded primary field, with hopes of securing labor’s backing. But leadership’s compromise on minimum wage – and flip-flops on mine safety and the Boni Bill – are hurting Richards.

Richards said he backs all three and changes to the bills are no more than the usual evolution of bills as they move toward passage.

“It’s the way things evolve. I just do what I think is right and move right on down the road,” Richards said.

Maybe so, but Brent Yonts and coal miners are angry about the “hijacking” of Yonts’ miner safety bill in committee, where fellow Democrats “gutted” the bill with no input from Yonts. Richards said he had nothing to do with the changes. Gov. Ernie Fletcher seems to have outmaneuvered Richards politically on the social worker bill, proposing to spend $20 million while the House is offering $2.5 million.

Richards said removing an automatic cost of living adjustment to the minimum wage and maintaining an exemption for those who earn tips reflects federal legislation and might make the bill more palatable in the state Senate. But proponents aren’t happy. On top of that, while the other six Democratic candidates for governor are out trying to raise money, develop platforms and organize campaigns, Richards keeps to his grueling legislative schedule.

Richards must navigate between competing interests, perhaps satisfying none. He probably shares the wish of weary reporters – an end to this year’s “short session.” He must be hoping too his fellow Democrat is right, and “no one can stay angry with Jody for more than 30 minutes.”



Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.