We Do What We Can
Yesterday, the Kentucky Club for Growth held a press conference in an attempt to pull the emergency break on these tax hikes rushing through the General Assembly. Here's our press release:
For Immediate Release
February 10, 2009
525 W. Fifth Street • Suite 319 • Covington, KY 41011
Kentucky Club for Growth Criticizes Tax Plan,
Recognizes Defenders of Economic Freedom
FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky Club for Growth (KyCFG) held a press conference today in Kentucky's Capitol to kick off a day of protesting tax hikes and to recognize the 2008 winners of the Defender of Economic Freedom award.
"We are here today to illustrate a contrast," said KyCFG Executive Director Andy Hightower. "It is a contrast between those who place a priority on growing Kentucky's economy by protecting economic freedom, and those who place priority on maintaining power through government spending.
"The tax plan proposed today only perpetuates a chronic problem with Kentucky's General Assembly: when Kentucky needs economic growth, our legislature and our Governor are focused on government growth.
"Frankfort has averaged a 5.1% increase in General Fund spending each year over the last five years, and that includes this year's decrease. We should not be so alarmed that the government's belt should be tightened, just like every Kentucky business and every Kentucky citizen. Our economy is hurting, and these tax hikes will only cause further hardship."
The Kentucky Club for Growth was joined by Jim Waters, Director of Policy and Communications for the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions. Waters pointed out that the tax proposal will cost jobs in Kentucky.
"Kentucky has some of the lowest incomes and the highest tax burden in the country," said Waters. "A 70-cent increase in the cigarette tax will cost Kentucky at least 2,500 jobs and will - based on the experience of other states - fail to produce the promised revenue."
"If growing the economy was the focus of the plan, we would be having a serious discussion of a prevailing wage moratorium," said KyCFG President Brian Richmond. "Eliminating this artificial wage requirement would mean more jobs building more projects for the same money. Jobs should be our focus in these economic circumstances."
Becky Baker, owner of the Discount Tobacco Mart in Florence, also spoke. She described how her customers com from Indiana, Ohio, even Michigan, and the proposed tax increases will drive her out of business. These increases cost Kentucky jobs at a time we need to create them.
In contrast to the government-first concerns of many of our leaders, the Kentucky Club for Growth took the opportunity to recognize leaders who put the Kentucky taxpayer first.
Every year the Kentucky Club for Growth publishes a Legislative Scorecard to help Kentucky citizens know which legislators have been the most careful with their tax dollars. Lawmakers receiving a score of 85 or more have been protectors of the taxpayer and receive the Defender of Economic Freedom award.
In 2008, many legislators voted with the impact on Kentucky taxpayers foremost in their mind, and three lawmakers scored high enough to receive the Kentucky Defender of Economic Freedom Award: Addia Wuchner, Stan Lee and Joe Fischer. Stan Lee was also recognized as a Defender of Economic Freedom in 2007 along with Representative Jim DeCesare.
Representative Stan Lee, the only two-time award recipient, commented on the questions facing the General Assembly: "We're considering doing the exact wrong thing if we want to promote jobs. Not one time in history has government taxed the economy into prosperity."
Representative Wuchner, who was the top-ranked legislator in 2008, said "When individuals succeed and small businesses succeed, the commonwealth is successful. I am very honored to be recognized, and will continue to review legislation on its merits, effectiveness and accountability. I will keep the commitments I have made to the people who sent me here to serve."
Additionally, the Kentucky Club for Growth recognized Senators Katie Stine and Damon Thayer who received top scores in the Senate. Senator Damon Thayer said "I am honored to be recognized by the Kentucky Club for Growth. I admire their devotion to free-market principles, something we need more of in Kentucky."
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To review the 2008 Legislative Scorecard, and for further explanation of how it was compiled, please visit www.kyclubforgrowth.org.
The Kentucky Club for Growth is a non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to protecting economic freedom, entrepreneurship, and the system of free enterprise that allows individuals the opportunity to bring growth and jobs to the commonwealth. It is an affiliate of the national Club for Growth.
