Today's Opinions

By Lee H. Hamilton
A common insult aimed at someone trying to accomplish something in the public realm these days is to say: “He’s playing politics with the issue.” And if you want to disparage a policy decision? “It was political.” Or dismiss an action as barely worth discussing? “Oh, that’s just politics.”
Bashing politics and politicians may be America’s favorite indoor sport — right up there with bashing Congress. So here’s my question: How do you resolve issues in this country without politics?

A trip to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital shows Deranne’s brachial plexus injury has completed the biggest developments and now needs strength training. It’s good news because now we can focus on muscle improvements instead of worrying about nerve growth, which is all there. One nerve, they said is complete and normal--on the low side of normal but still normal. It’s a word we weren’t sure we ever would hear regarding her left arm.

With only days remaining in the 2012 Legislative Session, the pace of consideration and approval of bills picked up this past week.
At the top of the list of bills passed in the House is one that offers a tax rebate to those who were greatly impacted by recent tornadoes that struck the Commonwealth.  House Bill 165, of which I am a proud co-sponsor, provides individuals and businesses in the 21 counties declared Federal disaster areas from the February 29th and March 2nd storms to receive a refund on the sales tax charged on building supplies.