Transparency? Never Heard of Her: Why I Started This Blog
The 2025 legislative session in Kentucky kicks off tomorrow, January 7, and for many of us, it feels like government operates behind a wall of secrecy. That’s one of the reasons I started this blog—to provide a space where our community can access information, share ideas, and demand accountability from those in power.
When I ran for state representative in Kentucky’s 27th House District last year, I was alarmed by the ways some of our leaders avoid scrutiny. My opponent, Representative Nancy Tate, has spent six years in office quietly advancing bad policies—some so extreme they don’t even have the support of her own party. How does she get away with it? By controlling the narrative. At the end of 2023, Tate, the Meade County Judge Executive, and another political operative bought our county's local newspaper. Don’t believe me? Go to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website and see for yourself. This means our community is either fed a steady diet of PR spin—or nothing at all. They don’t report on or investigate the issues that matter, leaving our community hungry for real information. We don’t hear much about what’s happening in our local government either. Politicians owning the media—let that sink in.
But the lack of transparency doesn’t stop there. Nancy Tate doesn’t return phone calls or emails from constituents, and when she does, it’s often defensive and clear she’s prioritizing her own agenda over what’s best for Meade and Hardin County. Her record speaks volumes:
In 2023, Nancy Tate, along with five other extremist legislators, was quietly removed from her position on the Children and Families Committee (Kentucky Lantern, March 2023). While her party’s leadership provided no explanation, Tate herself admitted, “I can only conclude that leadership decided that I was not a good fit for the Families & Children Committee, and they are probably right.” Think about that: even she acknowledges she wasn’t suited for the role.
Last month, she made a failed bid for House leadership and was subsequently removed from her vice chair assignments. She now holds no leadership roles in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
And let me add one more personal note: after the election, I called to concede and congratulate her, but she couldn’t even be bothered to answer the phone or return my call.
What’s the deal, Nancy?
The truth is, everything that has transpired—from her committee removal to her lack of leadership roles—is a glaring sign that she is not respected in Frankfort. Nancy Tate will never accomplish anything meaningful for us. Her record of ineffective leadership speaks for itself, and it’s our communities that pay the price.
This lack of transparency isn’t just a Nancy Tate problem—it’s part of a larger trend. Republican legislators across Kentucky dodged public forums during the 2024 election, particularly those hosted by the League of Women Voters, to avoid accountability on controversial issues like the school voucher bill (Kentucky Lantern, September 15, 2024). In 2024, they also placed Amendment 2 on the ballot, a proposed change to the Kentucky Constitution that would have allowed public tax dollars to fund private and charter schools (Courier-Journal, October 15, 2024). This legislatively referred constitutional amendment sought to divert funds from public education to private institutions, even though similar attempts in the past were deemed unconstitutional by Kentucky’s Supreme Court. The measure was overwhelmingly rejected by Kentucky voters, highlighting strong opposition to using public dollars for private schools. By avoiding public forums and pushing measures like Amendment 2, these legislators have shown they prioritize out-of-state interests over the people they were elected to represent.
This pattern of behavior isn't just disappointing; it's a betrayal of the public trust. Our representatives should be willing to face their constituents, answer tough questions, and justify their positions. When they hide from public discourse, it signals that they prioritize special interests over the people they're elected to serve.
It’s time we demand better. Whether you’re in District 27 or another part of Kentucky, I encourage you to stay informed and engaged. Use resources like the Kentucky’s General Assembly website to track bills, committee assignments, and legislative updates. This news release from Kentucky’s Legislative Research Commission is a great place to start. Transparency and open dialogue are cornerstones of a healthy democracy, and we shouldn’t settle for anything less.
Let’s continue to shine a light on these issues and insist that our representatives show up—not just in Frankfort, but in our communities, ready to listen and engage. Together, we can restore integrity and accountability to Kentucky's government.
