Somebody will have to do the work of every state employee you cut. Who do you suppose will do it?

I agree we need to cut the small session.

 

 

I know of many examples in private industry where the services have improved and with fewer people. Why can't that happen in state employment. The number 1 reason why is managment rank is determined in large part by how many employees report to them. It is in their vested interest to increase or hold on to their staff to maintain their own rank that impacts their own salary.

 

State goverment cannot merge counties and cities or counties. That is local initiative. What work have you been doing to merge your county with a neighboring one. If you think it is a good idea, it has to come from the citizens - state goverment does not have that authority.[/QUOTE]

 

You are correct but the state can actively encourage such actions. There is no reason to not detail the savings of having this done. The Senate leader and House Speaker sends out money for research reports all the time. Why not on this topic?

It was irresponsible to make the promise in the first place. I am glad we have a leader who will admit a mistake and move forward as opposed to one who will never admit that a mistake was made.

 

I have not seen anyone on this board or anywhere show any ideas of how to generate more revenue.

 

What are your ideas?

 

Let the state take over county jails.

 

State goverment cannot merge counties and cities or counties. That is local initiative. What work have you been doing to merge your county with a neighboring one. If you think it is a good idea, it has to come from the citizens - state goverment does not have that authority.[/QUOTE]

 

You are correct but the state can actively encourage such actions. There is no reason to not detail the savings of having this done. The Senate leader and House Speaker sends out money for research reports all the time. Why not on this topic?

 

You can scream about the benefits of merging until you're blue in the face but there is HUGE resistance to it in many places. Rowan County would benefit from merging with Morehead but there are citizens of the county that are still mad b/c the city went "wet" 20 years ago. Kentucky needs to encourage it, you're right there, but it probably will fall on deaf ears.

Where do you cut the budget?

 

Education???

To me it seems that the Gov's new "effort" to raise the cigarette tax is nothing other than using leverage to get more of the rural legislators to back his casino bill. "You won't back the casino bill which would result in hundreds of millions of dollar revenue, then I'm going to increase the cigarette tax to raise the revenue. You may want to reconsider your opposition to casinos."

 

While I'm not fan of Beshear, I have to admit that he's one pretty good player of the political system.

 

I don't know. Coupled with this and his proposed cuts to education, his back is against the wall if the casino bill falls through this legislative session.

Where do you cut the budget?

 

Education???

 

Essentially he is cutting from education, with the pension plans he is installing.

I am a staunch republican, but BRAVO! Tax cigarettes to death. Kentucky farmers need to and have been moving away from tobacco.

I am a staunch republican, but BRAVO! Tax cigarettes to death. Kentucky farmers need to and have been moving away from tobacco.

 

If only taxing cigarettes meant that tuition wouldn't increase or state employees would lose pension then I would be even happier, but I agree smoking is a choice so tax it freely as long as the $ goes to something that would benefit Kentuckians.

I don't consider a larger tax on cigarettes a reason to villify Gov Breshear for raising taxes. It's raising taxes on a commodity, and on a commodity that is purely a conusmer's choice to purchase. If he had raised the state sales tax, or income tax, or any other non-discretionary tax, I could see slamming him for reneging on a promise. But this? No.

 

As to casino's, all I ask is that a plan be put on the ballot for Kentuckians to vote yes or no. Ultimately that's it, regardless of whether the Governor is Republican, Democrat or Facisist (aka HHSDAD ).

 

As to budget cuts, there simply must be cuts. The decision won't be easy. It's always painful to all when it happens. But, just as in your household budget, sometimes you have to make the unpopular choices in the family when you're the one controlling the purse strings.

Thae casino plan will eventually be passed. Good always wins out over evil in the end. :thumb:

I am a staunch republican, but BRAVO! Tax cigarettes to death. Kentucky farmers need to and have been moving away from tobacco.

Correct me if I am wrong but the majority of domestic tobacco is exported any way isn't it? And the majority of tobacco used by consumers in this country is imported? Seems like I read that somewhere.

What happens after the smoker's decrease consumption? What will they tax next? Alcohol? gas?

I don't consider a larger tax on cigarettes a reason to villify Gov Breshear for raising taxes. It's raising taxes on a commodity, and on a commodity that is purely a conusmer's choice to purchase. If he had raised the state sales tax, or income tax, or any other non-discretionary tax, I could see slamming him for reneging on a promise. But this? No.

 

As to casino's, all I ask is that a plan be put on the ballot for Kentuckians to vote yes or no. Ultimately that's it, regardless of whether the Governor is Republican, Democrat or Facisist (aka HHSDAD ).

 

As to budget cuts, there simply must be cuts. The decision won't be easy. It's always painful to all when it happens. But, just as in your household budget, sometimes you have to make the unpopular choices in the family when you're the one controlling the purse strings.

Agree 100% on the cig tax. I don't smoke anymore so to heck with it. If anyone wants to smoke they can pay .70 more a pack.

 

Also agree on the casino plan being put on a ballot. I personally believe that is how the majority of important issues should be decided.

Somebody will have to do the work of every state employee you cut. Who do you suppose will do it?

 

I agree we need to cut the small session.

 

They can double or triple up for all I care, that's what happens in the real world. If they don't like it they can seek employment elsewhere.