Kentucky Can Do Better!
KEJA Calls on Lawmakers to Enact Fair & Adequate Tax Reform
Press Conference Statement
by Rual Urias:
January 19, 2006
My name is Raul Urias. I’m a former miner from Island Creek, in Pike County, Kentucky and the father of a two-year old girl named Makayla. This is my first trip to Frankfort.
I’m here because I want a better future for my little girl, my wife and family, and our community. I’m not an expert on the state budget or taxes. But it seems like lawmakers who are the experts need to hear a whole lot more from people like me. Right now it feels like we are the forgotten ones.
With all due respect, Kentucky’s political leaders are failing us. The truth is – and we all know it – that Kentucky needs to invest more in our people and communities. Our schools are falling behind. People are suffering from lack of affordable health care. I see it every day.
I’m a whole lot concerned about education. I know teachers in our area need better pay. In Pike County, the schools are cutting out art and music programs. These things are important for children. I want my daughter Makayla to have those opportunities.
The budget decisions made here matter back home. Families like mine suffer when there aren’t adequate mine inspectors or vehicle enforcement officers to protect our homes, water, roads and personal safety from outlaw mining.
You’ve all heard about no child left behind? Well back home the school buses won’t even run up the gravel road to our community. Our land and our roads have been so destroyed by mining that they don’t consider it safe to run the buses. Kentucky needs to invest in and strengthen the agencies that are supposed to protect us. And then we expect them to do their job right.
Health care is one of the biggest reasons why Kentucky needs real tax reform. The shortfall in Medicaid puts the members of my family at risk, along with about 700,000 other Kentuckians. I don’t know what we would do without that lifeline. And there are too many others who don’t have or can’t afford health insurance at all. My two cousins pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions more than they earn in a month.
I’ve heard it said that lawmakers don’t have the “appetite” for passing tax reforms this year. Well, I want lawmakers - and the governor - to understand that Kentuckians are hungry for a better future. And we are hungry for leadership.
Thank you.
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