With the lack of state funding for regional projects coupled with the lack of return on state dollars for educational funding, has the time come for NKY to become the 51st state?

 

It seems as though NKY is always getting the short end of state funding and NKY's tax dollars are used in other areas of the state. NKY does not get a return on investment for their tax dollars spent.

 

What must take place for something like this to happen?

 

Should we get Eric Deters to investigate the idea? :lol:

 

Who would be included in the state of NKY, what current counties?

 

This is all just fun speculation, but what if?

 

NKY can use the courthouse in Independence for their new capitol.

 

 

No State Money Again

:lol: Good thinking, draw something up. I would be happy, nobody would have to play Highlands in football or Covington Catholic in basketball/football, no assumption/sacred heart volleyball, etc...

When I saw the article this morning about the Governor's budget, I was having similar thoughts. It can't and won't happen in reality; but I've always thought this might be a good idea.

 

Culturally and socially, we are on a metaphorical island here. People down state think of us as Southern Cincinnati; and people in Cincinnati think we are just south of Biloxi. If I were to form a state of North Kentucky, I would include at least, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Kenton, Grant, Pendleton, and Owen Counties.

 

We would have a population (based on 2006 data) of 430,717. That would put us well behind Wyoming (512,757) as the least populated state.

 

Not sure if we can make Independence our state capitol though...since it's being used as the Independence County seat.

:lol: Good thinking, draw something up. I would be happy, nobody would have to play Highlands in football or Covington Catholic in basketball/football, no assumption/sacred heart volleyball, etc...

See! We just solvesd the whole Public/Private thing! :thumb:

 

 

Oops...forgot about Louisville.

 

Well shoot, if we could talk them into joining us, we really would solve it; and we could even pass Wyoming! :ylsuper:

Actually, you are on to something but with different tack. Instead of a 51st state, a consolidation of counties into ONE, or the three upper counties grapping the counties south of it.

 

Hearing Gov. Beshear speak in person on the budget it is evident the status quo and how to manage it is at rock bottom. What are the huge cost savings moves. Number one on all studies, kill off some of the 120 counties in this state. As I told a few unhappy to hear it folks from Pendleton, a merger with Campbell would triple their wealth in a decade for a few major reasons: expansion of services, economies of scale and zoning.

 

Or for the independent streak for the area, become one with Boone/Kenton/Campbell. It would become one of the largest areas in the nation, one of the most productive and a major political machine. Align with Jefferson and Fayette, we can start the process to tell the rest of the deadbeat state to get off the porch and start making things happen.

 

If this offends some out of the golden triangle area, please note: it is meant to. We in NorKy and I bet Jefferson and Fayette feel the same, are tired of underwriting to the tune of billions, the lack of progress, productivity and action in the rest of the bluegrass.:ylsuper:

Stayinline - You should really take a stronger stance on this!

 

I like the county consolidation idea. But I'm afraid there is far too much inertia built up in generations of local politics as usual and the belief that smaller is always better...which, of course, it isn't.

Stayinline - You should really take a stronger stance on this!

 

I like the county consolidation idea. But I'm afraid there is far too much inertia built up in generations of local politics as usual and the belief that smaller is always better...which, of course, it isn't.

 

Probably should but when you figure what is coming out of your own household in state income, property, sales taxes and returned to the area and to see it total into thousands of dollars taken away and sent to areas where as one county judge executive said and I quote "...it is the responsiblity of the state to fund poor counties like us.." saying it as he receives his $70K judge exec salary.

 

But we are getting there slowly. Water and sanitation district. Regional Airport Board, BUT we do have a ways to go. Imagine the corporate appeal we could offer if Newport and Covington was the same entity, out past the airport!!! The wise investment then would be to buy Cincy property to view the Newport/Covington skyline.

State of Greater Cincinnati would be more appropriate. Problem is, we'd have to eliminate all the Cincinnati and Hamilton County politicians first. Or we could just have them institutionalized as complete morons.

State of Greater Cincinnati would be more appropriate. Problem is, we'd have to eliminate all the Cincinnati and Hamilton County politicians first. Or we could just have them institutionalized as complete morons.

 

Are you really sure we could not add a few of our own to that list? Anyone see the story on Johnny TV Peluso in the Enquirer today? Talk about flashback nightmares!:irked:

But we are getting there slowly. Water and sanitation district. Regional Airport Board, BUT we do have a ways to go. Imagine the corporate appeal we could offer if Newport and Covington was the same entity, out past the airport!!! The wise investment then would be to buy Cincy property to view the Newport/Covington skyline.

Just be forwarned. As soon as Leatherneck reads this, he's going to tell you how crazy you are to even consider any consolidations.

Just be forwarned. As soon as Leatherneck reads this, he's going to tell you how crazy you are to even consider any consolidations.

 

Bingo. Generally, big govt is inefficient govt because the average Joe loses almost all access to govt leaders and the ability to be much of an influence. Unresponsive govt results in voters becoming apathetic; why care, you can't do anything about it. The big hitters still have access to the decision makers however. Too many layers of govt get developed with bureaucrats becoming gate keepers. Decision makers are removed from the street up into the 10th floor of City Hall.

 

I do agree that voluntary inter local govt agreements to provide some services make sense as long as the citizens through the election of their govt officials retain the right to get out of the agreements when they feel the deal is no longer working for them.

 

Airport Board isn't truly a regional Board by the way. Only those people appointed by the Kenton Co J/E have a vote at Bd meetings. Water District is just Kenton and Campbell. Boone not in it. Sani District is all three counties. Was formed almost out of necessity: none of the govt units wanted to deal with the subject. I agree that it works well. But keep in mind even there, the 3 J/Es retain a lot of control over it through their appointment powers. Plus, if I recall properly the J/Es have to annually approve their budget. Much more in favor of using inter local agreements than consolidating govt units.

Might as well make "Northern Kentucky" a state. Everytime you ask someone that is from Kenton, Boone or Campbell County where they are from, they say "Northern Kentucky."

No way this happens as the Enquirer and Post for years didn't consider any of us county schools as part of NKY.

 

And those in NKY already think they have to pack the RV to make a trip out here.

 

:lol:

Bingo. Generally, big govt is inefficient govt because the average Joe loses almost all access to govt leaders and the ability to be much of an influence. Unresponsive govt results in voters becoming apathetic; why care, you can't do anything about it. The big hitters still have access to the decision makers however. Too many layers of govt get developed with bureaucrats becoming gate keepers. Decision makers are removed from the street up into the 10th floor of City Hall.

 

I do agree that voluntary inter local govt agreements to provide some services make sense as long as the citizens through the election of their govt officials retain the right to get out of the agreements when they feel the deal is no longer working for them.

 

Airport Board isn't truly a regional Board by the way. Only those people appointed by the Kenton Co J/E have a vote at Bd meetings. Water District is just Kenton and Campbell. Boone not in it. Sani District is all three counties. Was formed almost out of necessity: none of the govt units wanted to deal with the subject. I agree that it works well. But keep in mind even there, the 3 J/Es retain a lot of control over it through their appointment powers. Plus, if I recall properly the J/Es have to annually approve their budget. Much more in favor of using inter local agreements than consolidating govt units.

 

Easy enough.... make sure to consider this self interest when our judge executive tries to achieve support for a toll road, which I will not support.

 

Yet we continue as the step child to the state, even during the best of the Fletcher years and even having a so called #2 in the Senate.

 

Once you spend time around the statehouse you can easily see where we stand and how we are taken and that is not seriously.

Easy enough.... make sure to consider this self interest when our judge executive tries to achieve support for a toll road, which I will not support.

 

Yet we continue as the step child to the state, even during the best of the Fletcher years and even having a so called #2 in the Senate.

 

Once you spend time around the statehouse you can easily see where we stand and how we are taken and that is not seriously.

 

What's easy and what self interest?

 

And I think we fared a lot better under Fletcher. As good as we should? Nope. But to say its wasn't a lot better isn't being realistic. As for the derogatory comment about Katie, if you think you could do a better job.........!