It might finally be the dawn of a new day in Frankfort.  House Speaker Greg Stumbo is saying that now is the time for comprehensive revenue reforms. 

Noting that only 12 of every 100 students in Kentucky who enter the ninth grade graduate from college, Stumbo pointed to the need for revenue reforms.  “I think the debate should continue about our entire taxing structure, the entire revenue streams in this state,” Stumbo said. “If we were running a business like we run government, we probably would be broke because we don’t re-examine and adapt our revenue sources to the changes in the economy.”  You can find the full article on Bluegrass Politics, here.

Speaker Stumbo is also a co-chair on the poverty task force, which has been learning about the work that a state Earned Income Tax Credit would do to help keep families out of poverty. 

If you appreciate this kind of insight, call Speaker Stumbo to thank him and ask him to cosponsor legislation by Rep. Jim Wayne that would add a measure of fairness to our tax system and raise more than $300 million in new revenue. 

Phone Numbers:
Home: (606) 886-9953
Annex: (502) 564-2363
Capitol: (502) 564-3366

And while you're making calls, call Governor Beshear and tell him that his lack of leadership is unacceptable.  (His office's response to Speaker Stumbo's statement?  “Now is not the time to raise broad-based taxes on Kentuckians ... Tax reform means different things to different people, and we will continue to listen to whatever ideas the legislators may have.”)  You can reach the Governor's office at (502) 564-2611, or you can email him here.