This past Wednesday the Governor finished up his series of town hall meetings about the budget crisis in Hazard.  The governor talked about the issues with the deficit, described the cuts to different departments from earlier this year, and how the additional shortfall of $456 million would be resolved.  He also talked about his desire to limit additional cuts to education, healthcare, and public safety and the proposed increased to the cigarette tax.

The coal industry also came out in full force and attempted the focus of the discussion to mountaintop removal, valley fill permits, and the governor’s recent statement opposing the elimination of the stream buffer zone.

Several local KFTC members spoke on a range of topics, which included appreciation for the governor’s action regarding the stream buffer zone rule.   KFTC members also spoke about the role of government in helping to diversify the local economy through green energy and to fund important services, like education, medical assistance, and community projects.

We need more green jobs in Eastern Kentucky, like the wind turbines on Black Mountain, and solar energy.  We need to create other options for the day when the coal runs out.  Also, a single payer healthcare system would be good for Kentucky by providing healthcare for everyone,” - Russell Oliver

It seems to me if we care about healthcare; we should care about protecting the environment.  Those two things go hand and hand.  Also, when you look at the tax system in Kentucky people on the lowest end pay the highest percentage of taxes, and people making the most pay the least.  That’s not fair.  We should be asking more of the people who are most able to pay,” - Chris West