Beshear talks about state

By RONNIE ELLIS

FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear said it’s time to move past partisanship and deal with Kentucky’s budget crisis in a 33-minute State of the Commonwealth speech Wednesday night before a joint session of the legislation. And he called for “a thorough review of the Kentucky Education Reform Act.”

He called for several initiatives – almost entirely from his 2007 campaign platform – changes in economic development efforts, alternative energy solutions – among them nuclear, a task force on early childhood education. He said the state must do something about the costs of jails and prisons – but he didn’t say what.

But even as he ran down the list, hanging over the chamber was the cloud of a $456 million revenue shortfall. He didn’t say how he would pay for those initiatives.

Any budget fix, Beshear said, “must allow us to continue making progress, however measured on the vexing problems that hold Kentucky back.” Beshear proposes a 70-cent increase in the cigarette tax, using rainy day funds and employee furloughs to meet the shortfall but needs lawmakers’ approval to implement it.

The budget crisis, Beshear said, “represents a threat that jeopardizes the fundamental function of government itself: to protect – both short term and long term – the quality of life of our citizens.”

He turned quickly to the havoc caused by the crippling winter storms of the past week. Only toward the end of the speech – after calling for bipartisan cooperation – did Beshear call for the review of KERA.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, and Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, both of whom voted for KERA, said it is time to review it. Williams called for House passage of a Senate bill to improve math education.

Rep. Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, said he thinks perhaps it’s time to look at adjustments to KERA, but he does not support doing away with it and said he will work to preserve it.

First-term Rep. Wilson Stone, D-Scottsville, a 24-year member of the Allen County Board of Education and former chairman of the Kentucky School Board Association said “fine-tuning of KERA is fine.” House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, agreed and said there are things lawmakers can do to help schools and teachers – even in the face of a budget shortfall and recession. He echoed Beshear’s statement that the state can ill afford not to move forward, even in tough economic times.

Moberly said Beshear isn’t likely to find enough votes to pass a 70-cent increase in the cigarette tax.

“Seventy cents can’t pass,” Moberly said, “and 30 to 35 cents won’t make much of a dent in the problem.” He was disappointed Beshear didn’t address next year’s likely budget shortfall which many anticipate will be larger than this year’s.

Stumbo said House members are tending toward a “blended package” of cigarette tax increases and increases in alcohol taxes. Williams said he isn’t certain how much support tax increases have in the Senate, but added that the amount of money sought by Beshear “is not unreasonable.”

The two legislative leaders said they’re researching the possibility of reducing the number of days lawmakers meet each week while extending the number of weeks in the session this year to have more time working on the budget and allow lawmakers from districts hit by the storm more time back home.

“We have members who need to be home,” Stumbo said.

And, Williams expects lawmakers to be so focused on the budget “that we’ll exclude other matters.”

The storm and its devastation that left more than 700,000 without power across the state were woven throughout Beshear’s speech. Seated in front of him was Nancy Ward, acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who toured storm-ravaged areas earlier in the day. Beshear recognized her and then recounted several stories of the volunteer efforts of private citizens and the National Guard, local officials and even lawmakers.

“We are Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “When our neighbor is in need, we always respond. That is part of what makes this state so special.”

After recounting anecdotes about average Kentuckians affected by the recession, Beshear said, “these are the people who made me governor and thse are the people who made you legislators,” to applause from the lawmakers.

He said the state’s political and government leaders must put aside politics and partisanship.

“Kentuckians are tired of excuses. They want answers and they need help,” Beshear said.

Text Only