1. Kentucky lacks the funds necessary to keep our obligations to retired teachers and state employees, maintain affordable college tuition rates, maintain our Medicaid program, and make progress towards our goals in health, education, and the quality of life in Kentucky. Some elected officials claim that keeping taxes low will generate additional economic activity, which will in turn produce enough tax dollars to meet the needs of the commonwealth. Other legislators argue that Kentucky needs to raise additional revenue through changing our tax structure. These lawmakers suggest raising taxes on Kentucky’s highest levels of income to address what they believe to be a regressive tax structure. What is your position on changing our tax structure to adequately fund education and necessary functions of state government? What tax policies would you propose?
Beshear: During the global economic recession, state government has tightened its budget belt, just like families across the Commonwealth have. I have cut more than $1 billion in spending, making government leaner and more efficient. In my own office, many positions remain unfilled, everyone – including myself – took furlough days and I, my senior staff and my cabinet secretaries took voluntary 10 percent pay cuts.
I have balanced the budget nine times in three-plus years, without broad-based tax increases and while protecting critical areas like education, health care and public safety.
I am open to hearing ideas on how to improve laws and policies regarding revenues. However, I do not favor any broad-based tax increases on families or businesses at this time. Our economy is fragile as we begin to emerge from the recession. I will not threaten the survival and recovery of our businesses or burden our struggling families.
2. Over the past few years, mountaintop removal coal mining and the related valley fills has become a widely debated public issue. What is your position on removing the tops of ridgelines and mountains, then filling valleys with rock and dirt from coal mining? Should more be done to protect Kentucky’s streams from mining impacts? What policies would you propose or support?
Beshear: Coal is and will continue to be a critical component of this country’s energy and economic strategy. In Kentucky, the industry is the lifeblood of many of our rural towns and counties, creating thousands of jobs. The state, the nation and the world will continue to be dependent upon the industry while we also fully harness solar, wind, hydro and other energy sources for our energy needs.
In this technological age, I believe it is possible to make economic progress and at the same time protect our environment. For example, over the past few years, numerous companies and universities have conducted research on coal-to-liquid and coal-to-gas production, as well as carbon-capture/sequestration methods. It is time to apply this knowledge as we begin constructing the framework for a 21st century economy.
My administration has worked to ensure environmental laws regarding mining are enforced and violations are taken seriously.
3. Currently, over 92% of Kentucky’s electricity comes from burning coal. Kentucky’s reliance on coal-fired power contributes to some of the lowest electric rates in the nation. However, Kentucky ranks near the top in the nation in carbon dioxide pollution per person (a major cause of global climate change) and in deaths related to pollution from coal-fired power plants. Should more be done to protect the health of all Kentuckians from mine pollution leaching into Kentucky’s streams? What energy policies would you support or propose?
Beshear: To address Kentucky’s growing energy needs, I unveiled my administration’s comprehensive energy strategy in November 2008. The ambitious plan increases conservation efforts; diversifies electricity generation to maximize use of renewable energy; and establishes state government as a leader in “green” practices.
An array of initiatives have been introduced to increase energy efficiency and conservation, including the “Governor’s Garden,” a statewide endeavor that encourages healthier eating and buying local; Green Bank of Kentucky, a revolving-loan program that helps public buildings be more energy efficient; and Clean Energy Corps and Kentucky Home Performance, home energy audit programs that advise Kentuckians on how to make their homes more energy efficient.
A second strategy seeks to increase Kentucky’s use of renewable energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass and landfill gas. This can be accomplished by investing in efforts by the University of Louisville Center for Renewable Energy Research and Environmental Stewardship and the Kentucky New Energy Ventures Fund, which assists early-stage Kentucky companies developing alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies. In addition, I have encouraged Kentucky’s coal industry to adopt greener practices.
Our state will continue to develop the infrastructure necessary to support and sustain our ambitious plan to reduce Kentucky’s carbon footprint.
4. Poverty and the lack of jobs are increasing in Kentucky. According to the figures from 2009, almost 19% of Kentuckians are living in poverty–a higher percentage than every other state except for Mississippi and Arkansas. Kentucky also has one of the highest joblessness rates, with unemployment still hovering at around 10%. What policies will you support to help low-income, unemployed, and underemployed Kentuckians?
Beshear: There’s no question that Kentucky has a long road ahead to full recovery from the global economic crisis. As governor I have implemented several initiatives that are helping turn our economy around. In fact, Kentucky’s unemployment rate has dropped in the last three consecutive months.
I have focused on giving businesses the tools and resources they need to create and retain jobs. In 2009, I proposed and passed legislation that modernized Kentucky’s economic development incentives to help our state be more competitive. Other programs, such as the Small Business Development Credit Program, the Kentucky Export Initiative and the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Certification Program help strengthen the state’s small businesses.
The most important step we can take, however, is to invest in our people. I have protected basic education funding to our schools each of the nine times I balanced the budget. And the Commonwealth joined a national effort to develop a set of strict, common core academic standards to guide teaching in America’s classrooms.
In addition, I expanded health care access for Kentuckians by preserving critical Medicaid dollars, implementing the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program and unveiling an initiative aimed at improving children’s access to dental care in counties overseen by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
5. Kentucky is one of the most difficult states for former felons to apply and receive their voting rights back. Over 186,000 Kentuckians have lost their right to vote because of our disenfranchisement laws. Some Kentuckians argue the right to vote should be restored when a person has paid his or her debt to society. Opponents argue that losing the right to vote is an appropriate punishment for people who commit felonies. What is your position on the issue of restoring voting rights for felons?
Beshear: Early in my administration, I simplified and streamlined the voting rights restoration process by removing barriers that often discouraged a former inmate from pursuing reinstatement of this basic civil right. Convicted felons who have fulfilled the requirements of their sentences no longer have to pay a fee, write an essay or secure three recommendations to obtain the right to vote again. In addition, the process requires one – not two – formal notifications to prosecutors. The governor’s policy retains a safety valve that confirms that inmates have fulfilled all of their sentencing requirements before they get to vote again. It also gives prosecutors a chance to object when circumstances merit a second look.
6. Undocumented immigrants are a growing part of Kentucky’s workforce, culture, and communities as they are for many states across the US. This has caused friction in many areas. Some Kentuckians think that undocumented workers are problematic because they take jobs and government services needed by citizens. Other Kentuckians say that immigrant communities make substantial positive contributions to our state and that their needs are just as important as citizens’ needs – and furthermore our economy couldn’t function without them. What is your stance on immigration and undocumented workers?
Beshear: As a former attorney general, I believe that we must strictly enforce our laws and protect our borders. It is obvious that the problem of illegal immigration demands a national solution, and I will continue to urge the federal government to step up and do their job. At the same time, however, we must uphold the rights of the men and women who came to our country legally and are now valuable citizens of our nation and our Commonwealth.