The Races: Housman v. Renfro, House 3
McCracken County
In this open seat race, Republican businessman Brent Housman faces Democrat Zana Renfro.
There is a strong contrast between these two candidates on some important issues.
Renfro opposes tort reform, pledging instead to work with trial attorneys to limit admittedly frivolous lawsuits, as if they will suddenly start self-policing. Housman pledges to work to limit lawsuit abuse.
Where Housman recognizes that prevailing wage laws are unfairly constructed and an artificial cost to taxpayers, Renfro oddly claims it keeps the workforce efficient.
Finally, Renfro opposes making Kentucky a right-to-work state and Houseman supports it.
In a recent debate, Renfro advocated a higher cigarette tax as an opportunity to increase spending on health and education, and also said it was necessary to increase state spending to local governments. Renfro also advocated allowing local governments to impose restaurant taxes to increase revenues.
Housman, on the other hand, advocated limited government, and cost saving measures like "2+2" programs that encourage students to attend two years of community colleges before moving on to two years of university programs.
