Kentucky Club for Growth
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October 28, 2009

Here's An Idea For Savings: Abolish The Education Secretary

We just got a press release letting us know that Education Secretary Helen Mountjoy is retiring from her post at the end of November.

Gov. Steve Beshear announced today that Helen Mountjoy, secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, has resigned her position effective Nov. 30 citing a long commute and a desire to spend more time with her family.

The Education Secretary is one of the most overrated titles in Kentucky state government. While the position is ostensibly a director in charge of P-12 education, postsecondary education and workforce development, it really only has charge of the latter. The Department of Education (KDE) and the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) are agencies set up to operate independently of the governor's administration. Each has its own board of directors that hire a chair or commissioner to administer the department.

There is little question that these agencies need to coordinate in order to maximize the effectiveness of education in Kentucky. Governor Ernie Fletcher attempted to improve this coordination by combining them into this single cabinet. States like Florida have emphasized this need by combining P-12 administration with postsecondary administration and have a single board with jurisdiction over all "P-16" education.

Nonetheless, an Education Secretary is not required for this coordination to occur; only the willingness of the KDE and the CPE.

No, the small office of the Secretary is easily dispensable. The section over which the Secretary has actual authority -- workforce development -- can just as easily exist in another cabinet, say, Economic Development.

We keep reading of the incredible budget crunch confronting the state. Mountjoy's resignation presents an opportunity for some quick and permanent savings.

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03/29/12 : RS12 HB 499 - KEY VOTE - Insurance Premium Tax Hike

03/29/12 : Lip Service to Kentucky's Debt Problem

03/19/12 : RS12 HB 202 - KEY VOTE - A Health Care Mandate Without Precedent

03/15/12 : RS12 SB 10 - KEY VOTE - A Constitutional Amendment to Guarantee Legislative Oversight of Regulations

03/15/12 : RS12 SB 4 - KEY VOTE - Improving Regulatory Accountability

03/12/12 : Clarifying Redistricting, Maybe

03/08/12 : House Passes Budget Quickly with Eight Percent Spending Increase

Lexington Herald Leader 5/10:

"Thayer, 44, responds by calling Hostetler "a little desperate." Thayer touts his conservative support from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the National Rifle Association, the pro-business Kentucky Club for Growth (which ranks him best among 38 state senators) and the anti-abortion Kentucky Right to Life."


Last weekend, the Kentucky Club for Growth's strong anti-tax stance was recognized in the Courier Journal.

But other political experts say they aren't convinced outside groups will want to get involved, especially with public polling showing Beshear with a double-digit lead and Williams' record of occasionally supporting tax increases failing to excite conservative groups such Club for Growth or the tea party-related FreedomWorks.

"They're adamant about the 'no tax' thing," said Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor with the non-partisan Cook Political Report.

We are adamant about the 'no tax' thing, and we will continue to be the taxpayer's advocate in Frankfort.


Drees: Raise gas tax to fund bridge - Pat Crowley, NKY.com

Ky. House nears tax vote - Pat Crowley, NKy.com


Donor records might have similarities - Lexington Herald-Leader

Club for Growth launches in Oregon

The Kentucky Club for Growth is proud to announce its 2007 scorecard rating members of the Kentucky General Assembly on fiscal issues.

How did your legislators do?


House Passes Budget Quickly with Eight Percent Spending Increase
Yesterday, the Kentucky House passed a budget for FYs 2013-2014. While most of the legislative discussion centers on cuts, the General Fund budget totals $19.5 million which represents an 8% increase over FY 2011-2012. Even if you compare it only...

What Farm Receipts Say About the Health of the Horse Industry in Kentucky
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The Outlook for Small Businesses is Bad, and Bad for the Economy
The NFIB reports: For the fifth consecutive month, NFIB's monthly Small-Business Optimism Index fell, dropping 0.9 points in July--a larger decline than in each of the previous three months--and bringing the Index down to a disappointing 89.9. While the national...

Employment Trends and Rates
Unemployment in Kentucky inched downwards this month: Kentucky's unemployment rate fell to 10 percent in April, down from 10.2 percent a month earlier. The state added 3,800 jobs in the month, as "Kentucky's economy continued to show signs of improvement...

State Budget Surplus Good News for Kentucky Economy
At the end of every fiscal year in June, the state always runs a small surplus. No matter the economic circumstances or budget cuts, because the state is constitutionally required to balance the budget, the state will end up with...

Legislature, Governor Probably Shouldn't Count on Revenue Improvements
As the legislature debates plugging a $166 million shortfall in the Medicaid budget, it seems many legislators are just hoping that revenues improve and that the hole they're digging in next year's budget would just go away. Yesterday's housing news...

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The KY Club for Growth seeks principled candidates who are committed to the following:

* Free market principles
* Lowering taxes
* Reducing spending
* Decreasing the size of government
* Judicial reform
* Protecting property rights
* Expanding school choice
* Reducing needless regulation

We will hold endorsed candidates accountable for these principles by monitoring each candidate on a vote-by-vote basis. As a Club member, you will receive candidate monitoring updates and scorecards on a regular basis. Join us today.