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June 1, 2010

The 2009-2010 Scorecard

For the Fourth Year, the Kentucky Club for Growth is proud to present our ultimate voter tool - our Legislative Scorecard. We have ranked Kentucky's legislators based on their votes on issues of fiscal responsibility and economic freedom.

Follow the links below to see how your legislators ranked. We have ranked the 2009 and 2010 Sessions together in our overall ranking so that you can see how they've voted cumulatively during the budget cycle (and the political cycle). To look at each year's ranking, you can view the individual vote tallies for each year. Additionally, you are encouraged to view the Scorecard Justifications to see the ridiculous, and sometimes good legislation that we score.

Please pass these tools along to your friends who are concerned about protecting the Kentucky taxpayer!

2009-2010 House Scorecard
2009-2010 Senate Scorecard

2009 Votes House | Senate
2010 Votes House | Senate

2009 Vote Explanations
2010 Vote Explanations

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March 24, 2010

Bills in Frankfort Today - March 24, 2010

Legislative Day 54

House

A New Costly Set of Regulations
The House Committee on Agriculture will consider HB 304 which places new regulations on stockyards, and will cost the state an additional $70,000/year to enforce.

Senate

Another New Spending Program
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will consider HB 72 which creates a $600,000 colon cancer screening program.

Revamping Another Board that Costs Money
The State is full of boards and commissions that bleed the General Fund, but, fortunately, many of them do not actually meet. The Senate Committee on State and Local Government will consider HB 170, which will resurrect Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education and spend more money to be sure it is adequately staffed.

More Tedious Regulations to Suffocate Small Businesses
Possible KEY VOTE: The Senate Committee on State and Local Government will also consider HB 185, a bill requiring businesses to post various statutes on the wall somewhere and creating new penalties for non-compliance.

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March 23, 2010

Bills in Frankfort Today - March 23, 2010

Legislative Day 53, 7 more to go...

House

Did You Know We Had A State Beekeeper?
Under SJR 177, he or she will be required to put bees in rights-of-way.

Senate

A Stealth Spending Increase
Possible KEY VOTE:Senate A&R will consider HB 295 a bill that reduces funds dedicated to the "Building Inspectors' Financial Incentive Training Program Fund", but requires that any fees collected in excess of this fund are dedicated to the Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction's building inspection program. Not knowing the amount of revenue the fee creates, this may overfund the operation of the office, while removing resources from the General Fund.

Another New $1.7 Million Spending Program
Senate A&R will also consider HB 376, a bill creating a new $2000 salary supplement for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. While no funding is appropriated in this legislation, it creates a program that would cost over $1.7 million to fulfill.

Raising the Dropout Age
The Senate Committee on Education will consider HB 301 which raises the age for compulsory school attendance to 18.

Another New Board
HB 308 is on the Senate Orders, and will more or less replace the wood-products-related board that Rep. Koenig repealed. So much for reducing government.

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March 18, 2010

Bills in Frankfort Today - March 18, 2010

Legislative Day 49

House

Energy Price Hike Mandates
Likely KEY VOTE: HB 3 is on the agenda in the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment again this week. The Kentucky House must think President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are doing things right. Yesterday, they created a debt-based stimulus program for Kentucky. Today, they're creating energy portfolio mandates and their own sort of Cap and Trade program. This is a convoluted bill, full of new energy bureaucracy that will increase energy prices for all Kentuckians.

Trails Bureaucracy
The House Committee on Tourism and Energy will consider HB 173, a bill to grant the Kentucky Trails Authority the actual authority to create trails on public lands. It also authorizes the Trails Authority the authority to charge access fees and sets up a fund to receive the fees to be used for trails maintenance and development.

Senate

Outdated Medical Guides Are Better
Likely KEY VOTE: In what has become an annual occurrence, Senate Judiciary will consider HB 38, this year's bill to mandate that the AMA 5th edition, not the current 6th edition, should be used in disability determinations for workers' claims. The Senate seems to have finally given up on protecting modern medicine this year.

Driving While Texting
Also on the agenda for Senate Judiciary is SB 23, the ban on texting while driving. The bill would fine an individual $100 for the first offense, $300 for subsequent offenses, and $200-$600 if the incident caused an accident.

Obviously, More State Corrections Employees Are Needed
In what appears to be a needless but costly rearrangement of deck chairs, the Senate Committee on Education will hear HB 164, transferring all KCTCS employees who are engaged in providing educational services and support to inmates to the Department of Corrections. Here they will join the state retirement system and the state health plan. Not only will it cost more to hire people into the Department of Corrections than KCTCS, just because of the association, but the benefits will be more expensive too. What a great plan.

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March 17, 2010

Bills in Frankfort Today - March 17, 2010

Legislative Day 49

House

Another New State Board
This one's so redundant that the bill has to specify that the authority of other boards is not diminished. SB 105 is heard in the House Committee on Agriculture.

Another New Spending Program
Still on the agenda from last week is HB 594, a new tax and subsidy program for dairy farmers.Not only is this a new tax designed to increase the price of (and therefore reduce the demand for) milk, it puts a new burden on retailers to apply and collect the tax. Still a likely KEY VOTE.

Professional Charitable Gambling
The House Committee on Licensing and Occupations will consider HB 515 that will allow eight people to be paid to operate charitable gaming. How charitable is that? Are there really no volunteers to operate church bingo?

Another Health Care Mandate
The House Committee on Banking and Insurance will consider HB 460 mandating coverage of oral cancer medications. All new mandates increase health costs for us all.

Senate

First Step in The Next American Car Company Failure
The Senate Committee on Transportation will consider HB 217, a bill placing new state restrictions on car manufacturer-dealer relationships. While much attention is given to the roll the unsustainable union contracts played on American car company sluggishness, GM, Ford and Chrysler were also greatly constrained by a bog of state laws governing their relationships with dealers. Here, once again, the state is dictating to the car companies who should operate their dealerships, once again preventing them from making the economic choices they might make in a free market.

How Many Employees Are In Kentucky Government?
Because no one knows the answer to this question, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government is considering HB 387, which will require this information to be reported quarterly.

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March 16, 2010

Bills in Frankfort Today - March 16, 2010

Legislative Day 48

House

Allowing SEEK Funds For Early Graduation
The House Education Committee will hear SB 67 which encourages early graduation and allows students to maintain SEEK-funded scholarships when leaving the school system early.

An Independent Commission To Set Salaries of Elected Officials
The House Committee on Elections will consider HB 554, a strange constitutional amendment to create an independent commissions responsible for setting the salaries of public officials and allow the public to dispute them by referendum

Independents Allowed to Vote In Partisan Primaries
The committee will also consider SB 53, which was debated in the Senate on CNN.

Glorious Entitlement for the Benefit of Teachers
Likely KEY VOTE: House A↦R will consider HB 540 newly guaranteed perpetual health benefits -- like no employees in the private sector enjoy -- to all teachers forever. We discussed this legislation a few weeks ago.

Another New Board and Spending Program
As if the state is looking for new ways to spend. HB 490 in House Welfare Committee.

Senate

Big Brother Philanthropy
Likely KEY VOTE: The Senate Committee on Appropriations and Revenue will discuss SB 227, a horrible proposal to create a charitable trust operated by the state government for the purpose of receiving and disbursing charitable donations. In the list of things the government should not be doing, this is near the top.

Budget
Senate A&R will also discuss the budget.

Another Health Care Mandate
The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance will consider SB 154 mandating coverage of acquired brain injuries. All new mandates increase health costs for us all.

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March 15, 2010

Frankfort Today - March 15, 2010

Legislative Day 47

House

Another New Board/Commission
HB 498 leads off the House orders creating yet another railroad advisory board

Another New Spending Program
HB 513, which we mentioned on Tuesday, is a new spending program which will potentially take educations funds out of the classroom.

Anti-Contract-Preference Legislation
Likely KEY VOTE: SB 45 evens the playing field in the state procurement system by creating a reciprocal preference penalty. If another state gives unfair preference to local companies in bids for contracts, then Kentucky will penalize applications from companies in that state by the same amount. This is a good disincentive for the anti-competitive practice of geographic discrimination.

And Another New $3,000,000 Spending Program
Possible KEY VOTE: HB 436 creates a $3,000,000 new program to fund school nurses. Wile we do not take issue with nurses in schools, we question whether this is the appropriate time to create new funding burdens. There is a committee substitute deleting the funding language.

New Entertainment Tax
As we mentioned on Wednesday, HB 206 is a KEY VOTE on a new tax.

Recidivism Reduction
From Committee on Tuesday, HB 340 would allow prisons to enter in cooperative agreements with private enterprises.

Dueling Allowed
Also from Tuesday, HB 36 would remove the language swearing public officials have not participated in a duel.

Abolishing One Non-Existent Board
Likely KEY VOTE. As we mentioned a few weeks ago, HB 309 eliminates the Kentucky Wood Products Competitiveness Corporation

Attempting To Circumvent Parole Board
The Governor has not hidden his plan to help balance the state's budget by releasing more criminals from state jails. The problem as he sees it is that the Parole Board is trying too hard to keep violent criminals in jail. Beshear is pushing HB 564 so that he can take better control of the parole process and release more prisoners from jail early to save money.

Transparency in Spending
Likely KEY VOTE of support: HB 492, from last Monday, would require the legislative and judicial branch to post their finances online.

Transparency for Quasi-Governmental Agencies
Likely KEY VOTE of support: SB 87 creates new transparency in spending requirements for entities like KACo and KLC.

Wage Litigation

Potential KEY VOTE: HFA2 to HB 435 is an amendment that softens legal language prohibiting wage discrimination, opening the door to less clarity and greater litigation.

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March 11, 2010

What Frankfort's Up to Today - March 11, 2010 - Part I

Two-Parter today because we're busy.

Legislative Day 46

House

Energy Price Hike Mandates
Likely KEY VOTE: HB 3 will be heard in the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment. The Kentucky House must think President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are doing things right. Yesterday, they created a debt-based stimulus program for Kentucky. Today, they're creating energy portfolio mandates and their own sort of Cap and Trade program. This is a convoluted bill, full of new energy bureaucracy that will increase energy prices for all Kentuckians.

Kentucky's Own Housing Bubble Generator
The House Committee on Economic Development will seek to put taxpayers on the hook to pay back banks if construction loans fail in HB 553. Imagine what would have happened to the state if this program had been in place before the financial crisis hit!

Unionizing State Employees
KEY VOTE: The House Committee on Labor and Labor will hear HB 493 allowing state employees to enter collective bargaining. This idea will only serve to make it more difficult to set more realistic benefits for state employees, and generally violates the principle that the government should be responsible to the taxpayers.

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March 10, 2010

What Frankfort's Up to Today - March 10, 2010

Legislative Day 45

House

Another New Spending Program
Likely KEY VOTE: The House Agriculture Committee will take up HB 594, a new tax and subsidy program for dairy farmers.Not only is this a new tax designed to increase the price of (and therefore reduce the demand for) milk, it puts a new burden on retailers to apply and collect the tax.

New Eminent Domain Powers for State-Run Sequestration Service
KEY VOTE: The House Committee on Resources and the Environment will hear HB 491, making all sequestration in Kentucky a state-run endeavor. The bill grants the state condemnation rights based on geologic features favorable to carbon sequestration, establishes a board which has the authority to charge a fee for "carbon storage" in the confiscated property. This government takeover of an emerging private enterprise is, well, the antithesis of the free market.

Corporate Organization Bills
The House Committee on Judiciary will hear SB 150, SB 151 and SB 152, all which change the rules of business organization in Kentucky.

Zoning Fee Increase
The House Committee on Local Government will consider HB 431 which allows local governments to raise fees for planning and zoning violations.

Senate

Anatomical Gifts
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will consider SB 4, a bill creating procedures for individuals to bequeath body parts.

Personal Care Homes
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will also consider SB 143, creating a regulatory structure to certify 'personal care homes' and explore the ability to include such facilities in Medicaid.

$1,000,000 Public Health Accreditation
HB 258 will be discussed in Senate Health and Welfare, which creates a new public health accreditation program that apparently costs $1,000,000.

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March 9, 2010

What Frankfort's Up to Today - March 9, 2010

Legislative Day 43

House

Forcing Tax Hikes
Potential KEY VOTE: The House Education Committee discusses HB 168, a bill that punishes Kentucky School Districts that do not force the maximum tax hike on the district's taxpayers each year.

Creating New Spending Programs
Potential KEY VOTE: The House Education Committee also discusses HB 513, a bill to create a new spending program. This a bad idea for two reasons. First, because the state is grappling with cutting back to reasonable levels after years of overspending, this is hardly the right time for new spending programs. Not only that, but this is an enhancement program. The problem with just about any enhancement program in education it that it gets considered "education spending" but inevitably draws education funds out of the classroom. This bill exemplifies the problem in Frankfort. It is feel-good legislation with no consideration for the longer-term consequences or how the spending fits in to the overall priorities of the state.

Senate

Tax Bill:

Potential KEY VOTE: The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee takes up HB 530, a bill of assorted new taxes and tax hikes and administrative reforms to help avoid necessary spending cuts. The bill does recognize that maybe now is not a good time for taxpayers to be subsidizing Hollywood producers millions of dollars a year, but ironically (or maybe typically) the bill simply limits the subsidy to $5 million this year and $7.5 million the next. Aren't you glad to know what our legislators' priorities are?

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March 8, 2010

What Frankfort's Up to Today - March 8, 2010

We hope to feature this summary every day from now until the end of session...

Day 42

On the House Floor:

New Entertainment Tax

KEY VOTE: HB 206 gives county fiscal courts the ability to levy a new 3% tax on events at private facilities.

Recidivsm Reduction:
HB 340 would create a "Prison Industries Enhancement Program" that will allow prisons to enter in cooperative agreements with private enterprises. Similar programs in other states have been promoted as recidivism reduction because prisoners gain work experience that better prepares them to reenter the workforce once time is served. Provisions of the bill attempt to prevent unfair competition from the not-quite-forced labor by requiring some demonstration that adequate resources are not otherwise available in the state.

Dueling Allowed:

HB 36 would remove the language swearing public officials have not participated in a duel.

Eliminating a Non-existant Board:

Well, it's a start.

New Health Care Mandate:

SB 18 would mandate coverage of experimental cancer treatments. All new mandates increase health costs for us all.

Transparency:

HB 492 would require the legislative and judicial branch to post their finances online

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March 3, 2010

KEY VOTE: HB 540 - Guaranteed Health Care for Not You

Today in the General Assembly a bill will be taken up that creates a new guaranteed health benefit for all future retirees from the state.

This is a guarantee not typically available anywhere else in the workplace.

While the bill makes some paltry commitment to increasing the amount of funding for the program from participants, the real cost recovery is borne by requiring Kentucky taxpayers to support its funding solvency.

There are good ideas in the bill. It attempts to prevent the legislature from borrowing from the fund, and it requires more reasonable contributions from participants. But the cost of a permanent guaranteed cadillac heath benefit is too great.

Health costs are rising, and likely to rise much faster if Nancy Pelosi is successful in cramming health entitlement expansion through Congress. The current $6.2 billion unfunded liability will expand and taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for benefits they themselves don't have, and (as Caleb Brown points out) that go to people who are no longer contributing to the state.

Call and email your representative today to prevent tax hikes in the future!

This is likely to be scored as a Key Vote on the KyCFG's 2010 scorecard.

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January 7, 2010

KEY VOTE and RALLY: HR 10 - State Sovereignty

The session has only just begun, but there's one item we're already likely yo key vote in 2010.

HR 10 simply declare state sovereignty over powers not given to the federal government by the U. S. Constitution, a reaffirmation of the Tenth Amendment.

This principle has been too often overlooked as our federal officials consider regulating the air we exhale and attempt to mandate we purchase privately-provided services under penalty of jail.

What can you do to get this important piece of legislation passed?

First, visit KENTUCKYKNOWSBEST.COM to find out more about this important legislation.

Next, call and email your legislator today to ask them to cosponsor this resolution.

Finally, show up in Frankfort on January 21 for a rally in support of our state's right to oppose federal mandates

The Kentucky Club for Growth will definitely Key-Vote cosponsorship of this resolution for our 2010 scorecard.

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June 23, 2009

Session Could Finish Tonight; KEY VOTES

Belated UPDATE: It won't. See you tomorrow.

Kentucky.com reports that the House and Senate have reached a budget agreement, and that two of the important initiatives from the economic incentives bill have been moved into the budget: the land transfer for the battery plant, and a privately-funded project at UK.

This creates the possibility for the Senate to agree to this and adjourn. However, they are still working on the tax giveaways bill, so it may survive as well.

There is a strong likelihood that these bills will be key votes for the Kentucky Club for Growth's 2009 scorecard. Kentucky taxpayers are already concerned about the unnecessary length of the special session. If the Budget bill cuts spending any less than the Governor's original proposal, or if tax giveaways to Hollywood are included in the incentives, Kentucky taxpayers should be very concerned.

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June 22, 2009

KEY VOTE: HB 1

The Kentucky Club for Growth encourages you to contact your legislators and encourage them to vote "No" on HB 1, the budget proposal.

The special session of the general assembly was called to address a supposed $1 billion shortfall. This bill increases spending. This bill does not identify specific spending cuts.

It is completely irresponsible to increase spending when a shortfall is projected, regardless of expectations of potential new revenues.

The Club may score many of the votes of this session, but this vote is guaranteed.

UPDATE: 5:44 -- And the Club will expose all members who voted against having a fiscal analysis before they voted on the bill

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March 11, 2009

Key Vote: HB 236 - Taxing IPTV

HB 236 - Taxing Technology That Doesn't Exist

It's not that it doesn't exist at all, it's that it doesn't exist in Kentucky. "Television Over Internet Protocol" or IPTV is a new effort by telecom companies, particularly AT&T and Verizon, to provide multi-channel cable over the internet. This new competition is good news for consumers in Kentucky, because:

A recent FCC study showed that cable rates increased at more than 3.5 times the rate of inflation between 1998 and 2003-but in the few places where cable faces competition from another wireline provider, prices are substantially lower than the average. The increased competition provided by the telcos will no doubt drive prices down further, as has already happened in Texas (where several telco TV projects are undergoing trials).

So how does the legislature react to the potential new technology? Instead of passing regulation that would ensure that franchise agreements would be available for providers that wanted to bring IPTV to Kentucky (which we should add brings significant investment in high-speed infrastructure to make it possible), they pass a new tax to make sure Kentucky is a less attractive place for the technology to expand to. And that's what HB 236 does: taxes IPTV before it even exists.

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March 9, 2009

Key Vote: HB 102 - Tolls

KEY VOTE ALERT

"NO" to HB 102 - Tolls on top of Taxes and Debt!

The Kentucky Club for Growth urges all Representatives to vote "NO" on HB 102, which will create new tolling authorities in Kentucky. This key vote will be part of our 2009 Congressional Scorecard.

So far, the legislature has voted to hike the gas tax by four cents, bond an additional $400 million in debt to build roads, and that's all on top of an expected $441 million in federal stimulus road building. Now in addition to saddling drivers of the commonwealth with higher gas taxes and debt, they are trying to bring back tolls.

Even if one believes that tolls are a fairer way to apportion fees for use of the road system, that is no excuse for piling Kentuckians with multiple tax and spending schemes. They've already voted to hike taxes and pile debt above levels that were already at record highs. Apparently debt and tax hikes are not sufficient for those addicted to spending in Frankfort, and they need to create an entire new system of taxation on top of those measures.

When will this tax frenzy stop? (March 24 27) Who will stand up against it until then?

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Key Vote: HB 374 - Gas Tax Hike

While we mentioned this in our e-newsletter, we haven't yet posted that HB 374, a bill that raises Kentucky's gas tax by $0.04, will be scored as a part of the Kentucky Club for Growth's 2009 Legislative Scorecard.

The bill passed the House on Friday, 82-17-1.

So far, the 14 Representatives who have voted against the alcohol and cigarette tax increases, the new sales tax on IT services, and now the gas tax increase are:

Stan Lee (R-Fayette, 2008 Rank #2)
David Floyd (R-Nelson, #4)
Kevin Bratcher (R-Jefferson, #6)
Jim DeCesare (R-Warren, #7)
Mike Harmon (R-Boyle, #7)
Bill Farmer (R-Fayette, #10)
Tom Kerr (R-Kenton, #12)
Adam Koenig (R-Kenton, #12)
CB Embry (R-Butler, #15)
Alicia Webb-Edgington (R-Kenton, #15)
Tim Couch (R-Leslie, #22)
Myron Dossett (R-Christian, #25)
Tim Moore (R-Hardin, #29)
Brent Housman (R-McCracken, new)

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March 3, 2009

Key Votes: Some Good Legislation

SB 72 - Honoring the Spirit of HB 44

The legislation that set forth the annual 4% cap on property tax increases is commonly referred to as HB 44, even though there's a new HB 44 every year. While the cap has kept property taxes lower in Kentucky there are many taxing authorities that do not fall in the cap, and effectively create annual increases larger than 4%. SB 72 would require the fiscal court to approve increases by these other taxing authorities, bringing better accountability and helping create an honest cap. SB 72 is currently sponsored by Senators Damon Thayer (R-Scott, #2 and John Schickel (R-Kenton, new) and the Kentucky Club for Growth will reward them and other cosponsors of SB 72 on its 2009 scorecard.

SB 49 - Repeal the Rain Tax

Senator Thayer (R-Scott, #2) again has taxpayer fairness in mind, as this bill prohibits a citizen or business from being charged storm water taxes if they are unserved by the sanitary or storm water system. The government should either provide the service to an area or exempt the area from the fees related to the unprovided service.

HB 411 - Combining the KVE into the KSP

HB 411 eliminates Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement and merges its operations and functions into the Kentucky State Police. They really are duplicative agencies, ever since the KVE was rules to have the authority of officers of the peace. When is the last time you remember a major state agency being eliminated in more than name? Sponsors are Representatives Mike Cherry (D-Caldwell, #78) and Sal Santoro (R-Boone, #11).

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Key Votes: Driving Businesses Out of Kentucky

SB 56 and HB 333 - Outdated Medical Guidelines Are Better For Organized Labor

SB 56 and HB 333 are two verions of the same legislation that would roll back the state's standard to the outdated 5th edition of the American Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" because organized labor thinks the new edition is less lucrative valid. So in the pocket of organized labor that they're willing to ignore modern medicine: Senator Ray Jones (D-Pike, #30), Representatives Brett Yonts (D-Muhlenberg, #78), Dwight Butler (R-Breckinridge, #36), Tommy Turner (R-Pulaski, #26), Robin Webb (D-Carter, #69)

HB 392 - Double Penalties for Misclassification of Employees

HB 392 creates potential for double penalties in the construction industry where the Office of Workplace Standards and a contractor disagree on which workers are 'independent contractors' and which are 'employees'. The bill creates not only restitution, but additional civil penalties, and overall simply makes it harder and more risky for two people to agree to do business with each other in the Commonwealth because the state may not agree with the way they have arranged to do business. Representative Sannie Overly (D-Bourbon, #62)

HB 455 - Destroying the Workers Compensation System

The workers compensation system exists to be an orderly way for injured workers to be compensated for injury and to provide businesses with clear obligatons to care for injured workers. It is a mediation system designed to reduce the delay, uncertainty and costs of going to court. In exchange for the relinquishment of the original civil court claim, workers are relieved of the burden to prove the fault of the employer. HB 455 would open the workers compensation system up to litigation before any administrative hearing. While we're sure the author thinks the bill leaves the old system in tact, there will no longer be any reason to be forthcoming or agreeable in workers compensation claims because it can be challenged in court anyway. The system designed to reduce litigation will no longer serve a purpose. Sponsors: Representative Rick Nelson (D-Bell, #48) or Representative Tim Firkins (D-Jefferson, #95).

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March 2, 2009

KEY VOTES: SB 188 / HB 540 - Creating an Unaccountable Office of Accountability

House and Senate leadership want to create a new auditing office in the legislative branch. Senate President David Williams describes it as "a good government sort of thing."

If it's good government, then why make it a secretive organization?

Even if there was reason to ignore the existence of the Office of the State Auditor and the Office of Policy and Management, there's no justification for a new office with law enforcement authority, and it's unfathomable why you would try to shield the findings of the "accountability office" from public records and public meetings laws.

At their press conference Friday, Speaker Stumbo suggested he might make some changes to elements that probably wouldn't pass constitutional muster: that the activities of the office would be protected from subpoenas and that the office would hold some authority over the elected offices of Attorney General and State Auditor. Still, no discussion about why an office designed to ensure good government would be exempted from the typical government transparency requirements, lax as they are.

There are many changes required before this is anything other than a bad idea. Sponsors: Representative Greg Stumbo (D-Floyd, 2008 House Rank #88) Senator David Williams (R-Cumberland, 2008 Senate Rank #19)

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February 12, 2009

KEY VOTE ALERT: HB 117 - Pension Unreform

KEY VOTE ALERT

 

"NO" to HB 117 - Delaying the reforms of HB 1

 

The Kentucky Club for Growth urges all Representatives to vote "NO" on HB 117, which delays the responsible deadlines set forth in ES08 HB 1. This key vote will be part of our 2009 Congressional Scorecard.

ES08 HB 1 was a small step forward in dealing with the overwhelming pension liability facing the state. Of the main reforms, one was a commitment to responsible funding of pension plans. What was a small step forward in the first place is now slowly unraveling.

Instead of addressing the future liability by creating a new plan for future employees that would more greatly resemble retirement benefits in the private sector, the General Assembly chose to require adequate payments to support the plan as it is. HB 143, just passed, borrows significant sums from the retirement system. Now HB 117 would delay payments into the system. How much will the next bill take from the system?

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February 11, 2009

KEY VOTE ALERT: HB 144, "Riggs Amendment", HFA1, HFA2, HFA4

KEY VOTE ALERT

 

"NO" to HB 144 - Alcohol, Cigarette and Other Tax Increases

 

The Kentucky Club for Growth urges all Representatives to vote "NO" on HB 144 and any related pieces of legislation that raise taxes and create new taxes on Kentuckians. These key votes will be part of our 2009 Congressional Scorecard.

 

These proposals compound tough economic times for Kentuckians by raising taxes and imposing brand-new taxes like a sales tax on alcohol purchases. Frankfort has averaged a 5.1% increase in General Fund spending each year over the last five years, and that's including this year's decrease. Our economy is hurting, and these tax hikes will only cause further hardship and negatively impact economic growth.

 

Alcoholic beverages are one of the most heavily taxed products in Kentucky. More than half - 53 percent - of the retail cost of a typical bottle goes to taxes of some sort. Kentucky already ranks HIGHEST in comparative spirit taxes to most neighboring states. The idea of raising those taxes even higher will cost jobs in businesses related to our signature bourbon, tourism, hospitality and agricultural industries, which are already experiencing tough economic times.

 

Kentucky currently has one of the highest tax rates on alcohol in the country. This tax increase would make Kentucky's THE highest in the nation.

 

"YES" on the 'Riggs Amendment' to the Alcohol Tax

 

The Kentucky Club for Growth urges all Representatives to vote "YES" on the amendment that has been proposed by Representative Steven Riggs that would dedicate alcohol tax revenues to counties where the tax is generated. This key vote is likely to be part of our 2009 Congressional Scorecard.

 

Higher alcohol taxes unfairly target the 30 wet counties that allow sales - even though ALL of Kentucky benefits from alcohol taxes. If more revenue is the desire, increase the freedom of Kentucky consumers to purchase alcohol. Kentucky's economy will grow as economic freedom is increased. Singling out certain populations to fund government is more of the same for a state that needs something new and different.

 

"YES" on Ballard and Brinkman Amendments to HB 144: HFA1 and HFA2

 

The Kentucky Club for Growth urges all Representatives to vote "YES" on the amendments that have been proposed by Representatives Eddie Ballard and Scott Brinkman.

 

Ballard's Amendment, HFA1, makes a statement against future tax increases. While it would be meaningless in effect, because it is simply ignored by passing another tax, it is a good statement against tax hikes in the future.

 

Brinkman's Amendment HFA2, sunsets the new alcohol sales tax at the end of the budget cycle.

 

These key votes are likely to be a part of our 2009 Congressional Scorecard.

 

"NO" on the 'Marzian Amendment' HB 144 HFA4

 

The Kentucky Club for Growth urges all Representatives to vote "NO" on the amendment that has been proposed by Representative Mary Lou Marzian. While it would repeal the alcohol tax proposal, it would permanently raise the Kentucky sales and use taxes to 7%, a permanent 'fix' to a temporary and dubious 'problem'. This key vote will be part of our 2009 Congressional Scorecard.

 

Even including this year's 1.5% decrease in appropriations, spending has grown on average at 5.1% a year over the last five years. Even if there is a budget shortfall this year it does not justify a permanent hike in the sales tax. Kentucky needs jobs, not an increased tax burden on its citizens.

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September 11, 2008

The 2008 Legislative Scorecard

For the second year, the Kentucky Club is proud to present our Legislative Scorecard.  We have ranked Kentucky's legislators based on their votes on issues of fiscal responsibility and economic freedom.  Follow the links below to see how your legislators ranked.

The 2008 Legislative Scorecard
The Press Release
2008 House Votes Scored
2008 Senate Votes Scored
Explanations for Scoring

 

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April 17, 2007

2007 Kentucky Club for Growth Scorecard

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

• The Press Release (pdf)
• The Scorecard (pdf)
• Senate votes (xls)
• House votes (xls)

How did your legislators do?

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March 26, 2007

House Bill 228 shields porkers from scrutiny

In the waning hours of the Kentucky General Assembly, leaders in the Kentucky Senate have just approved a measure that would allow them to place an even tighter vice grip on legislation.

The Herald-Leader’s John Stamper sums it up (March 22 Herald-Leader story):

The proposal would clarify that lawmakers have the ability to set aside existing laws and create new laws within the executive branch budget bill, which appropriates billions of dollars once every two years. It was put into an unrelated House bill by a Senate committee last week.

Unlike most other bills, the final details of a budget bill are usually hammered out in closed-door meetings of leading lawmakers from the House and Senate. Most rank-and-file legislators have no opportunity to even read the mammoth document before casting a vote on the measure in its entirety.

The size and secrecy of the last two Kentucky state budgets should serve as a reminder to all fiscal watchdogs that the General Assembly continues to actively seek opportunities to spend more of your money with less scrutiny. Lawmakers who vote for the current version of HB 228 do not represent fiscal conservatism. They do not represent the interests of all the Kentucky families on tight budgets who have to pay the bills for the state. House Bill 228 is little more than a cynical repackaging of House Bill 184.

 

UPDATE: The bill in its current form no longer contains the offensive elements. The bill is, though not perfect, far better than it was a few weeks ago. 

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March 9, 2007

Kentucky's senate votes to raise minimum wage

The Kentucky Senate passed a hike in Kentucky's minimum wage Thursday. What does this decision mean for voters, businesses and unskilled workers?
 
It means that the Kentucky Senate has little to no understanding of basic economics. When lawmakers decide that employees are worth a minimum amount, they are not making workers more valuable. When a legislature decides that you must pay a worker a minimum amount - and decides that no worker may accept an amount below a proscribed minimum - that legislature has decided that the free market cannot be trusted to set prices for labor.
 
It means that the business community realizes that lawmakers don't trust them to do what's best for their own bottom lines. Businesses often exist on very narrow profit margins. When a government arbitrarily forces businesses to pay more for labor, that government is harming the businesses that will have to endure the additional cost. It means that businesses will have to make myriad difficult hiring and firing decisions to preserve those narrow profits. A minimum wage is a tax on labor.
 
It means that the poor and unskilled workers will find a harsher labor market. Those workers who need experience and job skills the most will have a harder time getting hired knowing that their value may not measure up to the new minimum wage. These workers deserve a chance at the first rung of the employment ladder. A hike in the minimum wage simply puts that first job out of reach for many workers.
 
The bottom line is that any lawmaker who supports a wage control or a price control is not a lawmaker who wants Kentucky's economy to grow. That lawmaker may know that the economics of wage controls work against Kentucky's best interests, but feels compelled to obey the misguided notions of certain voters.
 
The Kentucky Club for Growth endorses the free market as the best means to assign prices to goods, services and labor. Wage and price controls do not support growth. Lawmakers who support minimum wages do not support Kentucky's future!

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February 24, 2007

HB 305: Wage controls

What share of House Republicans voted to impose a higher wage floor on small businesses in Kentucky? 73%.

Just a quarter of House Republicans voted to stop additional wage controls in Kentucky. Here are the lawmakers who stood up for the free market this week:

DeCesare (R)	Dossett (R)	Fischer (R)	Kerr (R)	Koenig (R)	Lee,S (R)
Montell (R)	Osborne (R)	Santoro (R)	Wuchner (R)

 

Any questions?

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February 22, 2007

KEY VOTE ALERT

The Kentucky Club for Growth announces its support for the following bills now under consideration in the Kentucky General Assembly:

HB 224, HB 228, HB 249, HB 295, HB 317, SB 108

The Kentucky Club for Growth announces its opposition to the following bills under consideration in the Kentucky General Assembly:

HB 184 (withdrawn), HB 222, HB 223, HB 247, HB 305, HB 324, HB 267, HB 292, HB 310, HB 313, HB 318, HB 411, HB 418, SB 5, SB 12

More to come ...

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January 7, 2007

Key Vote: Budget Transparency

Any Kentucky House member who wants transparency to return to state budgeting should seriously consider signing on as a cosponsor of Joe Fischer's bill to give the public greater access to the state budget and all the spending contained therein. It's a basic nonpartisan piece of legislation to make Kentucky's government more transparent and accountable. In short, it's a no-brainer.

So far, Mr. Fischer is totally alone in supporting the bill. Will the real government watchdogs please stand up? We'll be watching.

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November 30, 2006

A constitutional amendment to reduce lawmaker accountability?

Julie Denton has pre-filed a bill to extend the terms of lawmakers. Sooo, lawmakers should be held accountable for their actions less often?

The bill is in the form of an amendment to Kentucky's constitution.

At the federal level, studies show that lawmakers who have been in Washington the shortest time typically are willing to spend less than lawmakers who have been there longer.

Several others are already jumping out in opposition: David Adams, Mark Nickolas and Daniel Solzman. Looks like the groundswell of opposition is already moving. Read the comments, too.

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November 5, 2006

Hazard pay for social workers?

House Bill 52 (Expand definition of 'hazardous duty' for state workers): Introduced by Rep. C.B. Embry, Jr on January 2, 2007, to change the definition of a hazardous position to include positions classified in the social services series that involve child protective services investigations or ongoing face-to-face contact with families whose children have been placed in the custody of the cabinet.

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November 4, 2006

Minimum Wage!

Minimum Wage Hikes could be coming in 2007. Here's a roundup:

Increase Kentucky minimum wage by 17%
Increase Kentucky minimum wage 41% by 2009
Raise Kentucky's minimum wage 36% by 2008
Increase Kentucky minimum wage 41% by 2009

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November 1, 2006

Tax Me More!

Hey, if you want to pay more in taxes, why shouldn't you be able to?

House Bill 47 (Create 'tax-me-more' fund): Introduced by Rep. David Floyd on January 2, 2007, to establish the tax-me-more account within the state general fund to receive voluntary contributions from individuals and entities that believe they are undertaxed. The bill would require the Finance and Administration Cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to establish a contribution process. The billl would require the Department of Revenue to provide an opportunity for taxpayers to make contributions with their income tax payments. The billl would require that amounts in the fund be appropriated by the General Assembly as part of the biennial budget process.

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