PLATFORM
LIST OF ISSUES
"I would like to be your Kentucky State Senator because I am not thrilled with the way the government is currently run and I would like to be part of the solution. My plans, as outlined below, would bring in jobs, increase revenue, allow for better education and pay down the state debt. "
Education
I believe having a higher level of education for our teachers is imperative in securing a great educational future for every student in the state of Kentucky. A higher level of education for our educators is not to be won without incentive to obtain these higher degrees.
I think this can be obtained by incentivizing Masters and Doctorates for our children's teachers. I propose we do this by eliminating the burden of income tax for those that are underpaid, highly educated and serving our community. If teachers opt to take advantage of the rescinded tax liability it would reduce their tax burden, accentuate our children's educational experience with more highly qualified educators and reward those that go the extra mile for our kids.
Casino/Racino
Let’s learn a lesson from our neighbors in Ohio. Their new casino and racino business in Ohio has created over 4,800 new jobs. In addition to new jobs, the businesses also bring in revenue of close to a billion dollars for the state.
Healthcare
I believe, in healthcare, we must obtain greater access and availability for individuals in the 87 underserved counties and Kentucky in general. Meanwhile we must maintain and lower costs for patients. In order to do this I propose that we expand the practice act of Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners to allow them greater freedom in exercising their craft and establishing their own clinics that would not be required to have a Medical Doctor overseeing all prescriptions. It is estimated that, besides providing much needed services, clinics established would employ on average 23 people per newly established clinic and bring in wages of nearly one million dollars a year for each new clinic.
Kentucky State Debt
The massive Kentucky state debt has to be reduced. We rank 47th in the country regarding amount of state debt and we have the 4th worst credit rating of any state. My plans would provide over eleven thousand good new jobs that are despiretly needed. In addition, I would request an increase in the sales tax to one pecent bringing it up to seven percent, equivilant to our neighboring states. This would pay teachers for pursuing a higher level of education and, overall, this plan would bring in well over two billion dollars a year to start paying down the debt. We can pay down the debt by bringing in new sources of income, not by taking away state worker pensions as others propose we do.
Energy Diversity
When Iowans began utilizing wind turbines for power they had an increase of approximately six thousand jobs. Besides the obvious benefits of a new energy source that should reduce energy costs for the average consumer in Kentucky and the good jobs that this creates, tax revenue from these jobs would be roughly ten million dollars. I think it is easy enough to get these good paying jobs here if we dismiss the businesses corporate tax for ten years following complete setup of the business in the state.