KEJA -- News Archive

KEJA News Archive

Coverage of Raising The Bar: Kentucky's Real Budget Report

State is Urged to Spend More on Social Needs: $1.8 billion increase suggested in report. Louisville Courier-Journal (12/16/05)

Raising Standards in Kentucky: Editorial, The Cincinnati Enquirer (12/16/05)

Report Addresses State's Revenue Needs for Schools, Justice: The Daily Independent (Ashland) (12/16/05)

Groups Say State Budget Falls Short of Needs:Henderson Gleaner (12/16/05)

Raising The Bar Executive Summary

Raising The Bar PDF of Full Report

Winter/Spring 2006
From KEJA Partners & Allies

Force Legislature to Focus on State's Real Needs: In 2006, we can let lobbyists determine the legislation, or for a change, the citizens can set the agenda. Nancy Jo Kemper, Kentucky Council of Churches. Lexington Herald-Leader (1/13/06)

The Courier-Journal 2006 Legislative Preview: Covers many issues, includes a Q&A about legislative priorities with KFTC Chairwoman Janet Tucker. (1/1/2006)

Kentucky Catholic Bishops: Health care a 'moral right'. Louisville Courier-Journal (12/08/05)

Budget Bill Hurts the Hungry:The U.S. House of Representatives has just approved big cuts in the food stamp program, the nation's first line of defense against hunger. If these cuts are signed into law, more than 200,000 low-income people will lose food stamp aid. By Anne Joseph, Director, Kentucky Task Force on Hunger. Lexington Herald-Leader (11/29/05)

Economic Development Needs Attention: Kentucky's decision-makers and voters shouldn't be afraid of a debate about economic development. Too many people and communities are in real need to not ask hard questions. By Justin Maxson, MACED. Lexington Herald-Leader (11/21/05)

We Give, They Take: Incentives for businesses often fail to help Kentucky. Win, Lose or Draw: Gambling on Jobs, an investigative series beginning 11/06/05 in the Lexington Herald-Leader, is based on a MACED study of Kentucky's economic development policies and practices.

Stop Congress from Hurting Poor: All well-meaning and reasonable Kentuckians must bring their individual voices together to sound a collective alarm on the looming decisions in Congress that would deny children food stamps, affordable health care, access to child support and good child care. By Terry Brooks and Debra Miller, Kentucky Youth Advocates. Lexington Herald-Leader (11/07/05)

Business Leaders' Plan for Education Gets an A: Business leaders have credibility because of their vital need for a well-educated work force. They know from experience that any state that isn't moving forward in education is moving backward. And forward motion will not happen without adequate revenue to fuel improvement. Opinion by Robert Sexton, Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence. Lexington Herald-Leader (10/31/05)

Poor Need Our Help, Not Cuts In Aid: Long before Hurricane Katrina touched the mainland, Congress was planning cuts in programs for the disadvantaged that would create even more deprivation for households already hard-pressed to make ends meet. Opinion by Tamara Lucas Copeland, Voices for America's Children, & Terry I. Brooks, Kentucky Youth Advocates. Lexington Herald-Leader (9/19/05)

KEJA Press Release: Kentucky Will Lose Big if Estate Tax is Repealed. Already facing a serious budget crisis, Kentuckians could see further erosion of the state's tax base if Congress takes action to repeal the estate tax. (8/31/05)

Funding Cuts Make No Sense For Struggling State: Neglecting Education is Kentucky's Home-Grown March Madness. The new budget and revenue package speeds us down a road we don't need to be on -- one that leads to education neglect. Shortchanging education won't create jobs, and a budget that will be short by about $500 million next year isn't fiscally responsible. By Robert F. Sexton, Executive Director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. Lexington Herald-Leader (3/27/05)

Winter/Spring 2005
From KEJA Partners & Allies

Anticipating a Tidal Wave: We know that catastrophic harm is headed our way for health care, our children and education. We know about the dramatic funding shortfalls that will reach $2 billion-plus by 2010. We know there are two tax reform proposals on the table in Frankfort. We have a choice. By Ed Monahan, Executive Director, Catholic Conference of Kentucky. Louisville Courier-Journal (2/22/05)

Kentucky Youth Advocates: Distributional Impact of Gov. Fletcher's JOBS for Kentucky Tax Modernization Plan. (2/9/05)

Cutting Taxes Won't Lure Businesses, Jobs to State: Studies show more tax cuts will not only fail to make Kentucky better for business: they could make our economy worse. By Jason Bailey, Democracy Resource Center. Louisville Courier-Journal (1/30/05) & Lexington Herald-Leader (2/8/05)

Give State's Working Poor an Earned Income Tax Credit. By Lynn Rippy, Kentucky Youth Advocates Board President and Executive Director of YouthBuild Louisville, Lexington Herald-Leader (2/8/05)

Base Tax Reform on Fairness, Common Good. Investment in public service benefits all. By Lexington businessman Richard Dawahare, Lexington Herald-Leader (2/7/05)

Key Elements of a Just Tax Overhaul. By Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, Executive Director of Kentucky Council of Churches, Lexington Herald Leader (2/6/05)

Two Bills Call for Higher Taxes: Lawmakers and activists dissatisfied with Gov. Ernie Fletcher's tax plan pushed yesterday for $600 million in new taxes on corporations and people with higher incomes. By Elisabeth J. Beardsley, Louisville Courier-Journal (2/4/05)

KEJA Press Release: Efforts for Real Tax Reform Move Forward With House Bills 276 & 277 (2/3/05)

KEJA Press Release: New National Study Confirms Kentucky Revenue Problem (2/2/05)

DRC Co-Director Jason Bailey and KYA's Debra Miller appeared on KET’s Kentucky Tonight program on 1/31/05. They delivered a compelling case for tax reform that is fair and raises revenue to invest in Kentucky. If you missed the program, click here for the video.

State Needs More Revenue, Economic Advocate Contends: KEJA representative K.A. Owens calls for fair and adequate tax reform in the Louisville Courier-Journal's special Legislative Preview (1/30/05)

KEJA Press Release: People for Progress Demand Real Tax Reform. Leaders from business, education, health care, family services, and the religious community spoke out about the devastating effects of state budget cuts and called for a fair and adequate tax system at a Jan.12 Press Conference in Frankfort. (1/13/05)

Opponent of Higher Taxes Spurs Protest: Grover Norquist, a national opponent of higher taxes met privately with Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Republican lawmakers, and was booed by supporters of higher funding for education and services for the needy. By Tom Loftis, Louisville Courier-Journal (1/7/05)

Gov. Fletcher's Tax Agenda Helped Create Health Crisis: By setting an agenda that excluded new revenue and proposing unfair and inadequate tax reform, Gov. Fletcher left teachers and state employees paying the price. By Jason Bailey, Democracy Resource Center.

Kentucky Council of Churches: Principles for Fair and Just Taxation. A Policy Paper for the KCC Commission on Justice Ministries

Catholic Conference of Kentucky: Principles of Taxation, Allocation of Revenue, Contributing to the Common Good

Stocking Coal: Unless Fletcher and Republicans in the House and Senate are willing to eat a little tax-raising crow, they will have a tough time assembling a record of progress during their stewardship of government. Then again, maybe they just want to drown it in the bathtub. By John Yarmuth, LEO Magazine, December 2004

Kentucky Youth Advocates: A View from the Capital: What We Learned in 2004. Taxes are a complicated but absolutely critical issue for child advocates. By Debra Miller, KYA (5/04)

Articles & Commentary on KY Tax & Budget Issues

Bill Would Amend New Business Tax: Small companies feel 2005 levy's impact. Louisville Courier-Journal (3/15/06)

2006-07 Tuition for KCTCS Rises: Board approves 11% boost for in-state students. Lexington Herald-Leader (3/11/06)

County Clerks Push for Increase in Fees. The offices cannot keep up with inflation, cover growing employee costs or buy new equipment, the clerks say. Louisville Courier-Journal (3/6/06)

Light Won't Hurt: Pass law to share economic development data. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial (3/1/06)

Kentucky Isn't Putting Higher Education Money Where Its Mouth Is:The Governor and Legislators won't do the hard work of convincing the public that more investment in higher education is essential, and will pay for itself many times over in expanded opportunities for future generations. Editorial Opinion by David Hawpe, Louisville Courier-Journal (2/19/06)

Nothing to Fear: Reviewing tax incentives always a good idea. Here's the good news: The Kentucky House of Representatives has appointed a subcommittee to learn more about how our state pursues economic development and to suggest ways we might do it better.
Here's the bad news: There seems to be some resistance to this effort. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial (2/9/06)

At-Home Care Runs into Funding Jam: Advocates say budget won't meet demand. Louisville Courier-Journal (2/6/06)

Study, State at Odds on Right-to-Work: LSU study says businesses rank it near the bottom of list of criteria. Lexington Herald-Leader (2/4/06)

Tools for Progress: The classes in this country are becoming more distinct. in 1971 the top 1% of households held less than 20% of total household wealth. But by 1998, that top 1% had control of 38% of that wealth. In 2001, the top 5% of the population held 58% of private wealth, while the bottom half controlled only 2.8%. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial (1/31/06)

Open the Incentives Books: Lexmark's announcement that it will cut 200 jobs in Lexington and the news the following day that it has been approved for a $1.05 million sales tax refund refresh a debate about the value and intent of tax incentives. Lexington Herald-leader Editorial (1/29/06)

Students Could Face 15% Tuition Boost: Final figure depends on state budget and legislature. Lexington Herald-Leader (1/29/06)

State's Job Skills Come Up Short: This article in the series Win, Lose or Draw: Gambling with Jobs details how our underfunded education system limits the kinds of jobs Kentucky can get. Lexington Herald-Leader (11/23/05)

Simply Catching Up Requires Big Boost: It won't be possible to do right by higher education, or meet a long list of other needs, without more state money. Louisville Courier-Journal Opinion (11/21/05)

Education Panel Proposes Budget: Without more money, Council fears it might not meet reform goals. Art Jester, Lexington Herald-Leader (11/08/05)

We Give, They Take: Incentives for businesses often fail to help Kentucky. Win, Lose or Draw: Gambling on Jobs is an investigative series beginning 11/06/05 in the Lexington Herald-Leader which is based on a MACED study on economic development policies and practices.

Waste and Secrecy: Soon, the General Assembly will convene in Frankfort to address pressing financial issues. Education at all levels is underfunded in Kentucky, and there is a $425 million Medicaid deficit. Yet, if things continue as they are, Gene Strong's Economic Development cabinet and other state agencies will continue to hand out more than $800 million each year. This isn't right, and it isn't helping Kentucky. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial (11/06/05)

An Unsatisfied Commonwealth: A growing number of Kentuckians don't believe their state is on a path toward prosperity, according to surveys taken by the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center. Lexington Herald-Leader (11/06/05)

$250 Million Needed to Catch Up: That's how much Kentucky's postsecondary education system needs to catch up with comparable institutions in other states. By Art Jester, Lexington Herald-Leader (11/03/05)

Business Leaders' Plan for Education Gets an A: Business leaders have credibility because of their vital need for a well-educated work force. They know from experience that any state that isn't moving forward in education is moving backward. And forward motion will not happen without adequate revenue to fuel improvement. Opinion by Robert Sexton, Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence. Lexington Herald-Leader (10/31/05)

One-third in Kentucky say they're worse off than a year ago. Wayne Tompkins, Louisville Courier-Journal (9/18/05)

"No New Tax” Justice Isn’t Any Better Than “No New Tax” Politics: Even though it was obvious that major infusions of cash would be required to deal with predictable dilemmas such as a Medicaid shortfall, a loss of momentum in education and a long list of underfunded programs, Fletcher was proud, not embarrassed, that his version of tax reform wasn't expected to raise any net new cash... Editorial Opinion by David Hawpe, Louisville Courier-Journal (6/29/05)

Poor, Disabled Need Access to Health Care: Access to basic medical and health-related services for more than 700,000 low-income, elderly and disabled Kentuckians -- about half of them children -- is in jeopardy. By B. Russell Harper, director of governmental relations for Christian Care Communities, based in Louisville. Lexington Herald-Leader (6/20/05)

Built on Debt: Budget proposal irresponsible, inadequate. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial 3/8/05

Bipartisan FLOP: House Tax Reform Weaker Than Fletcher's. The 96-4 vote to pass this sham of tax reform was a truly bipartisan display of irresponsibility and political cowardice. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial 2/22/05

Tax Overhaul Passed 96-4 by House: By Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald-leader (2/19/05)

House Passes Tax Plan: By Mark R. Chellgren, Associated Press (2/19/05)

Students Protest College Costs: Tuition increases assailed, more funds sought at rally. By Mark Pitsch, Louisville Courier-Journal (2/17/05)

House Committee Finds A Bit Here, A Bit There: "This is a horrible budget, but we need a budget," said Rep. Jim Wayne, D-Louisville. "I've never seen a more bleak financial situation," said Rep. Harry Moberly, D-Richmond. By Mark R. Chellgren, Associated Press

Capitol Inertia Persists Despite Poll's Green Lights. By Larry Dale Keeling, Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial Writer (2/16/05)

House Plan Likely to Trim Tax Increases: Cigarette and alcohol levies may not reach Fletcher's rates. By Tom Loftis & Elisbeth J. Beardsley, Louisville Courier-Journal (2/16/05)

Anti-Tax Group Holding Fletcher's Feet to the Fire: By Ryan Alessi, Political Notebook, Lexington Herald-Leader (2/14/05)

Growing Caseloads, Low Pay Strain Prosecutors' Offices: Kentucky prosecutors are facing a crisis of resources that is threatening their ability to safeguard the public. By Attorney General Greg Stumbo, Lexington Herald-Leader (2/14/05)

Most Favor Raising Revenue: Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll (2/13/05)

State Ripe for Picking by Right-Wing Populists: UK Political Science Professor Ernie Yanarella writes that Republican Party ascendency could transform Kentucky into a pseudo populist stronghold much like Kansas has become. Lexington Herald-Leader (2/13/05)

Freeze Fletcher's "Trigger:" The trigger is a dream killer. It takes away hope for improvement. Legislators should save the Governor from such foolishness and put Kentucky on a more promising path. Courier-Journal Editorial (2/11/05)

Opponents Take Shots At Tax Plan: KEJA members testify. By James Mayse. Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (2/11/05)

Hidden Meanings: Higher tuition, fees are taxes in disguise. Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial (2/10/05)

Hospitals Need Medicaid Increase: Must Be Part of Budget, Tax Reform. By Stephen C. Hanson, President and CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare. Lexington Herald-Leader (2/8/05)

UK Has Lots of Company: Schools Say They've No Choice But to Up Tuition. By Linda B. Blackford, Lexington Herald-Leader (2/10/95)

Would the Tax 'Trigger' Shoot Down Future Governors? By Mark R. Chellgren, Associated Press (2/7/05)

Tax Pledge Turns Out to Be Life Sentence: Some Kentucky lawmakers who long ago pledged to never raise taxes are starting to wonder if they've registered in the Hotel California. By Ryan Alessi, Political Notebook, Lexington Herald-Leader (2/7/05).

Fletcher Fumbles Again: Governor repeats last year's budget mistakes. By Larry Dale Keeling, Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial Writer (2/6/05)

Two Democrats Drop Pledge Not To Raise Taxes: Gooch, Blevins say state needs money. By Elisabeth Beardsley, Louisville Courier-Journal (2/5/05)

Theory: Tax Cuts Sparks Jobs, Revenue: Governor's Dynamic Scoring Idea Controversial. By Ryan Alessi, Lexington Herald-Leader Frankfort Bureau (2/2/05)

Budget Dilemma Persists: Health care, salaries, taxes among issues... But the issue that blocked the budget last year is still unresolved -- a push by Gov. Ernie Fletcher and fellow Republicans to change the tax code for individuals and businesses.By Tom Loftis, Louisville Courier-Journal (1/30/05)