Government

A national conservative organization has thrown its support behind Thomas Massie in Kentucky’'s Fourth Congressional District GOP Primary.

The Club for Growth announced its endorsement today, saying members believe Massie would best emulate U.S. Senator Rand Paul, one of the organizations most-loved lawmakers.

The club has not announced any plans for further involvement in the primary, but officials say they could send money to Massie if the race looks close, and the club may run TV ads if necessary.

Heavy debate on a series of bills in the Tennessee House has delayed the conclusion of the General Assembly. The chamber recessed after 10:00 last night, but is scheduled to return at 8:00 this morning. Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell says the early start should give lawmakers every chance to conclude their business by the end of the day. The lower chamber had more than 45 bills remaining on its calendar, including a measure to require drug testing for welfare recipients and a proposed overhaul of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.

A legislative commission is scheduled to give its opinion on Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's plans to close several state facilities, including the Tamms maximum security prison in southern Illinois. But the commission's vote is advisory only and the governor can close the prisons, mental institutions and offices no matter the findings. Quinn says closing the prisons would save money, while closing other facilities would lead to improved care for people with developmental disabilities. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability is scheduled to convene this morning.

Some 45 incumbent Kentucky lawmakers are running unopposed in both the spring primary and fall general elections this year. University of Louisville political scientist Laurie Rhodebeck says the lack of competition in this year's races may indicate candidates want nothing to do with the chaos of Frankfort politics. Out of 119 legislative seats up for election this year, only 36 will be on primary election ballots. In all, 40 state representatives and five senators are running unopposed. But it’s not that unusual in Kentucky.

State Auditor Adam Edelen is expected to release findings today from a financial review of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The review looks at agency operations under the administration of Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer. Newly elected Commissioner James Comer asked for the special audit after he took office in January, saying it's needed to restore public trust to the agency. The Department was thrust into the center of state politics last year when Farmer, who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor, was accused of misspending public funds.

With Tennessee lawmakers on the verge of adjourning several weeks earlier than usual, end-of-session wrangling is as intense as ever. Budget disagreements between the two chambers led to the first conference committee on the spending plan since the acrimonious debate over the income tax more than a decade ago. And several contentious measures, including the guns-in-parking-lots bill, could still crop up before the Assembly concludes its business. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the "Don't Say Gay" bill will won't come back up though.