Candidates discuss E. Kentucky issues

PIKEVILLE -- Kentucky should return to coal-producing counties all of its proceeds from the coal-severance tax, House Speaker Jody Richards, a Democratic candidate for governor, said today at a forum dominated by topics about Eastern Kentucky.

Richards was the only candidate at the forum to call for giving back to coal counties 100 percent of the tax proceeds.  Six of the seven Democratic campaigns for governor participated in the event moderated by former Democratic Gov. Paul Patton at the 20th annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference.  Former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry did not appear and did not send his running mate, Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator Renee True.

Richard said after the forum that it would cost the state between $100 million and $125 million to return all the coal tax proceeds to coal counties, phasing it in over four years.  Kentucky now gives back to coal counties 50 percent of the tax proceeds.

Richards did not say how the state would recoup the money under his plan but said it was an important move.

“Once coal is depleted, you have a resource that is gone,” Richards said.  “They should take all that money now and build it for infrastructure so not to leave it as a vast wasteland.”

Attorney General Greg Stumbo, who is running for lieutenant governor on the gubernatorial ticket of Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford, said he doubts state legislators would increase the percentage of coal-tax proceeds to coal counties.

He noted that it would be a hard sale to lawmakers, especially those in Jefferson County who often say Kentucky’s most populous county gives more to the state in taxes than it receives.

Jefferson County Irv Maze, who is the running mate for state Treasurer Jonathan Miller, declined to put a specific figure on how much coal-tax proceeds should be returned but said Miller and he would open up to the public the state budgetary process.

Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith said the state should return at least 50 percent of the coal tax proceeds.  Former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear said he wants to make sure the coal counties are getting at least 50 percent from the tax.  Harlan demolition contractor Otis Hensley Jr. said he would not reduce the funding to coal counties from the tax.

The candidates also were asked about mountaintop removal, a controversial mining method in which large sections of mountains are leveled to make it easier to extract coal.

Richards and Beshear said current regulations, if enforced properly, are sufficient.  Stumbo said he would consult with engineers to improve the process.  Galbratih said he would not stop mountain removal, and Hensley said in a written statement that he does not favor any new restrictions.

Maze said Miller and he would consult with all parties involved to reform the practice.

On other topics, Richards said he would put a governor’s office in Eastern Kentucky and would finish four-laning the Mountain Parkway.  Stumbo also said Lunsford and he would make the parkway four lanes.

Galbraith repeated his pledge to give every high school graduate a $5,000 voucher for additional education expenses, and Hensley noted that he is the only Democratic candidate for governor who opposes expanded gambling.

Maze said Miller and he would make Kentucky “the clean-coal center of the United States.”

--Jack Brammer

Comments

[Conservative]

Jody,

He nailed it tonight!

Jo Dee has promised a governor's office in every town he's campaigned in. Current regulations are suffcient - that is code for I'm a good ole compromised coal candidate. Suffering succotash. That is nothing new and that is not "nailing it." So shut up shill. We don't want another Paul Patton.

I agree with coal counties receiving back all the proceeds of the coal severance tax, just like I agree that Jefferson County should receive back all of its input to the gasoline tax.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Coal Severance Tax Money.

With as much as one hundred million derived from the coal severance tax each year it would support a bond issue to improve the economy of East Kentucky.

Cumberland Lake, which is cripple now due to the repair of the dam, takes in over 140M dollars per year. At least one third of that amount is spent within thirty miles of the lake.

East Kentucky topography lends itself the possibility of creating a large recreation area in Eastern Kentucky. A forty mile lake in Eastern Kentucky would produce ninety million dollars per year and create two thousand new jobs.

In addition a pipeline could be laid from Eastern Kentucky to the Bluegrass where a separate "holding reservoir" would supply water to the Bluegrass Area.

One of the things that make this kind of vision possible is the ability of modern day engineering to do channelization.

Sure, it would cost a lot of money and not be an easy task, but we must do something in Eastern Kentucky to reduce the dependence on coal.

Don't get me wrong, COAL, is a very important mineral for Kentucky, but I believe instead of KING COAL dictating what occurs in Eastern Kentucky, there would be a second economic source that, with ninety million in income, that could be a viable voice.

This way, we might not have to blow the top off the mountains, just cruse by in your pontoon boat, or house boat, or fishing boat or run about, and just enjoy nature.

It is possible, but it is probably far to bold for an endorsement by political candidates.

But, it does make sense, doesn’t it?

I think the biggest question about Jody Richards is, after his poor showing in the primary, will his caucus immediately remove him from the speakership when the Governor calls the special session, wait until the '08 regular session, or is it his complete harmlessness that keeps him there in the first place?

[Brian Goettl]

Since the crack H-L political reporters have missed the biggest political story of the week, I'll let your readers know that Fletcher has a 22 point lead over Northup. They can see the exclusive summary report from the Tarrance Group at our site.

Why don't you guys stick to making front page news about the Governor following other laws. Apparently, the more you all spew anti-Fletcher propaganda disguised as news, the higher Fletcher's numbers go.

You all could also go back and review your investigative journalism that revealed the Governor ordered Cocoa Puffs for the mansion. The taxpayers were greatful for that tidbit.

Brian Goettl

[weatherman]

Ignore the man behind the curtain, he is spewing sour grapes over supposedly getting shafted by RPK. The poll is a fraud with only a fake memo provided to two Fletcherites, one of which is Brett Hall. The media real media would jump all over a legitimate poll showing Ernie with a 22 point lead. Brian will also try to tell that Northup is not even doing internal polling when the expenditure is right there on her filing report.

[Watching and Laughing]

Gotta hand it to ol F Bomb Hall- he got fired but is still getting paid by Ernie. How are all those indicted pardoned and FIRED Fletcherites doing? Don't worry Brett- you've got work until November. After that maybe you can be a Disciple and cut Ernie's grass.

It would be helpful if a blog could be started for posters who only have sour grapes for their meals. It is obvious a few of them exist here.

Thanks Brett now get your lawnmower and get out to Ern and Glenna's now. They have company this afternoon and they want you done with the yard and gone before everyone shows up.

Hey JAS, it's Lake Cumberland, not Cumberland Lake.

and Lake Cumberland will likely trigger only a fraction of past revenue this year, since the stories that have been circulated make people think there is no water.

So how about we find a solution for the economic problems that will trigger before we try to come up with an alternative to coal revenue in EKY.