April 8th, 2008 Hot Button Guest Editorial: Danielle Malone -- Text version

I agree with you, Ms. Malone, that the new Kentucky State budget is very troubling and the one percent raise offered to teachers and state workers is a slap in the face. The cuts to extended schools services will costs us big dollars in future years and take its toll on individual students' lives.

It saddens me greatly to see that the Kentucky State House and Senate are more interesting in bickering and power grabs rather than serving the long-term interests of Kentucky and its citizens. Nothing much ever seems to change in Kentucky politics which is why Kentucky continues to rank behind other states in important metrics.

Public defenders say state budget will limit services

I think Kentucky could learn something from Tommy Thompson (R-Wisconsin/Bush cab on health).
One of the Best Republicans out there today in my opinion.

He cut a lot of wasteful programs out of Wisconsin's budget but allowed the advance of free public health care programs and making public works easier to access.
Like the 40 day program in a certain city I would rather not let to many people know about since I benefit from the program myself.
Then he allowed casinos.
Not just to supliment state income but also to direct funding of education.

In the early to mid 90's Wisconsin's tax rate was much higer then kentucky's.
Now it is the other way around.
It took him a long time but he really got the state whipped into shape.
It jus takes dropping the partisan politics.

Now the WE energy program in the Fox valley is only a year away from pulling two entire countys off the grid.
If they can include Merc Marine in that total by 09', they can keep all the Merc jobs here in the US.
Which is one reason, I'm moving back there next year.
Granted, it isn't one of Thompson's projects but the Republican's of Wisconsin have been just as effective in pushing it through along side the dems.

Here in kentucky they are to afraid of pushing up against coal.

Kind of pathetic really that while one US state is about to pull entire countys and industrys into the free energy market while thousands of students get a free ride on casino money another state is still fighting with coal power and basic health care needs.
In a state with one of the nation's most advanced medical research resources no less.