Rep. Mike Harmon on a Roll
We are generally fans of Mike Harmon. He scores consistently near the top of our scorecards, although we were disappointed with his initial support of a budget that depended on a $184 million tax increase in 2010.
Harmon has already started 2012 out right by pre-filing two bills that will make Kentucky better. One will lead to a better political process and the other will put a real "debt ceiling" on Kentucky's finances.
The first, prefiled as BR 327 would allow candidates for Governor to select their Lt. Governor running mate after the May primary.
"I think people are comfortable with the way we elect a President and Vice President and this mirrors that process on the state level. It allows parties to put forth the most qualified candidates for both offices in the General Election," said Rep. Harmon. "It is my hope that these proposed changes will in some part reduce voter apathy and gets more people engaged in having their voices heard."
Delaying the selection of running mates until after the primary may also encourage more primary participants.
Harmon's second bill, pre-filed as BR 264 would create an effective limit on Kentucky's runaway debt, placing a limit relative to Kentucky's expected revenues.
From the press release:
Rep. Harmon's proposal seeks to change Section 50 of the Kentucky Constitution that would dictate any authorization of appropriation-supported debt service by the General Assembly shall not at any time exceed the ratio to the Commonwealth's revenues by five percent. The bill makes exceptions in times when the Governor declares an emergency related to loss of life or property, such as a major natural disaster, and the Governor determines that it is necessary to exceed the five percent debt-to-revenue ratio. In those cases it would require a 4/5 vote by both the House and Senate to approve the request. Any funds borrowed under those situations would not be included in calculating the five-percent ratio cap.
Amen. As David Adams points out, Kentucky is currently above this threshold.
We are now almost 30% above this so Rep. Harmon's bill would stop the accumulation of bonded debt for several years.
Constitutional amendments are difficult to gain momentum. The Kentucky Club for Growth will help by scoring cosponsorship of this amendment on our 2012 scorecard. You can help by contacting your legislator and asking them to cosponsor HB 108 in January.
