2010 Legislature commences
The 2010 version of the Kentucky Legislature commenced at 12:00 Tuesday amid rumors of bad budgets and tax reform. The hot scuttlebutt floating around the halls of the annex was in regard to a new interest from many higher-ups for a comprehensive reform of the State’s tax system. Faced with ever-growing deficits and a reluctance on the part of the Senate to pass any big new gambling programs lawmakers have their backs against the proverbial fiscal wall. It is rumored that there might not even be a budget passed this session unless this systemic problem is addressed. Stay tuned for that.
As for the KCC, the big issues will be land conservation and energy. Following the lead of the Land Stewardship Task Force recommendations, the KCC will push for the creation of a Land Stewardship program: first through the creation of a Stewardship Trust Fund and a Board to administer it, and then by a Constitutional Amendment to increase the sales tax by 1/8% and dedicate the proceeds to the new program. The first part of this will obviously be easier than the second, but the KCC is currently out enlisting allies in this battle. The reasoning behind setting up the structure before the funding mechanism is in place is to allow for any other possible funding sources to be considered. With tax reform a possibility, opportunities could open up for us in this area, as well as in expanded gambling. It makes sense to explore all funding alternatives if we can finally get the Commonwealth to put real effort into protecting our natural areas.
As to energy, I hope those who are reading this have had the chance to read Bruce Scott’s excellent white paper on electric feed-in tariffs. It explains the complex issue very well. Trying to craft a viable energy policy must include significant incentives for alternative energy production. It is with this in mind that the KCC as a part of a new energy alliance will push for a greater role for renewables in any State-wide energy plan. Well, it’s off to the wars for me. Stay in touch through this blog and our KCC alerts or on-line at www.kycoservation.org.