Republican candidates for 50th District seat meet in only public debate
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
State Rep. David Floyd, left, and his challenger, Donna Pegago, talk at the end of their debate Tuesday night. Click to enlarge.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 11:55 p.m. — The Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination for 50th District state representative met for their first and only public debate Tuesday night at the Nelson County Library. The event was sponsored by the Bardstown-Nelson County Tea Party.
Incumbent David W. Floyd and challenger Donna Pegago squared off in an hour-long debate that touched on a variety of topics, including abortion, gun control, government indebtedness and the legalization of hemp in Kentucky.
Alan Brown Jr., head of the Bardstown-Nelson County Tea Party, served as moderator for the debate.
IMPROVING KENTUCKY’S ECONOMY. In a question about making Kentucky more competitive in recruitment of new business and industry, Pegago said a more fair tax code would be a first step. Another step would be moving Kentucky to become a right-to-work state. Pegago said economic development officials told her that firms looking to locate industry will bypass Kentucky because it is not a right-to-work state.
Incumbent state Rep. David Floyd, makes a point during his response to a question from moderator Alan Brown Jr.
A right-to-work law prohibits forcing workers to join a labor union. A right-to-work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves if they wish to join a union. Indiana, Tennessee and 21 other states have passed right-to-work laws. Labor unions are universally opposed to right-to-work legislation.
Floyd said there are legislators who support collecting sales taxes on services, which would include real estate transactions and all services now that are not currently assessed sales tax.
“The thing to keep in mind when doing tax reform is not to hurt businesses,” Floyd said. “Businesses bring jobs and add jobs, and that must be paramount.”
PRO LIFE. Floyd noted he consistently has received the endorsement from Kentucky Right to Life. “I have been demonized for my efforts,” he said. “But nothing is going to happen on charters schools or Pro Life issues until the Republicans take the majority in the house.”
Donna Pegago gives a question from the moderator thought prior to offering an answer.
Twelve seats can change the balance of power in the House, he said.
Pegago said she’s Pro Life and supports the ultrasound bill. “It’s simple, its basic, and its common sense to see what you are about to destroy before you destroy it,” she said. “I’ll fight for Life in any way I can.”
DEATH PENALTY. Floyd, said he does not support the death penalty. Keeping criminals behind bars keeps them from being a threat, adding that he believes only God can take a life. “My personal conviction is that I’m against it,” he said.
Pegago said she didn’t believe in taking the life of the unborn or anyone else, though she said she supported a jury’s right to determine a proper sentence.
“I believe in the jury’s right to mete out the sentence for the crime they are judging,” she said.
LEGALIZE HEMP? When asked their opinions of legalizing hemp, both candidates were in favor of changing current state law in order to allow it.
David Floyd, left, answers a question while Donna Pegago looks on during their only public debate at Tuesday night at the public library.
Pegago noted that hemp can be used to create plastics, which could be useful in Kentucky automotive plants. “Contrary to popular belief, hemp is easy to distinguish from marijuana,” she said.
Floyd noted he supported legislation this past session that would legalize hemp in Kentucky. “Tobacco used to be important; tobacco money sent kids to college but now that’s gone away,” he said. “Hemp is a viable crop that is useful in many ways.”
SECOND AMENDMENT. Floyd said he’s consistently received the endorsement from the National Rifle Association. “I’ve consistently voted for bills that advanced the right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms.”
Pegago said she comes from a family of hunters, and supports the right to keep and bear arms.
OBAMACARE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE. Both candidates voiced their opposition to Obamacare’s individual mandate.
Pegago said she supports states reclaiming their rights and the powers the federal government has taken from them.
Elijah Starkey, left, talks with state Rep. David Floyd prior to the start of Tuesday night's debate. Starkey, a freshman at Bethlehem High School, is working to state a Young Republicans group.
Floyd noted he has supported legislation that have supported the state’s sovereignty. “I’m a very strong proponent of state’s rights as stated in the U.S. Constitution,” he said.
CHARTER SCHOOLS. Both candidates agreed that Kentucky needs to have a charter school law.
Floyd noted that the state teachers unions are against charter schools. “They have stopped any movement on the charter schools bills,” he said.
They are simply public schools that operate under different rules, he said. Charter schools are gaining momentum in urban areas where there’s dissatisfaction with existing school choices.
Pegago said she supports giving parents choice in education. “I will be a strong proponent of charter schools and school vouchers,” she said.
Floyd noted that homeschooling is an option for parents, and it is under constant attack in the General Assembly. Chater schools would be a good option for parents who want to give their children the socialization and other benefits public schools offer.
Those who attended the debate talk among themselves after it ended about 8 p.m. Tuesday night.
BONDED INDEBTEDNESS. Moderator Alan Brown Jr. asked about Kentucky’s ranking as one of the worst-run states, due in part to the state’s bonded indebtedness.
Pegago said the country is in a crisis now and is facing massive debt. “We need to get back to the American values of self-reliance and working hard,” she said. “Too many people are getting dependent on the government, and while the government is giving them things, the government is also taking away their self-reliance, their self-respect and their work ethic.”
When he first went to Frankfort, Floyd said he was initially shocked by the states indebtedness. But after researching the issue, he found that most states use bonded indebtedness to pay for capital projects. Every state does it, its the fact of how states do business for capital projects and programs.
Floyd said he’s taken heat for voting against police and teachers for his votes against this year’s proposed budget. He said he voted against the budget because it raised the state’s bonded debt too much. A compromise was reached in both the state House and Senate, with the final debt total coming in substantially lower, he said.
“Bonded indebtedness is a serious issue that you want to keep as low as possible,” he said.
PROPERTY RIGHTS. The candidates were asked to weigh in on the issue of government intrusion on property rights, citing the push for a statewide smoking ban as an example.
“I’m not a smoker, but I don’t think its right to impose that law,” Pegago said of a smoking ban. “If people don’t like to go to a smokey restaurant, they make that choice. It should all be about freedom of choice.”
Floyd agreed with Pegago, adding that when it comes to a smaoking ban you’re dealing with private property rights. “That trumps every other consideration,” he said. “The Constitution gives people those rights and you can’t take them away.”
As the debate neared its end, the candidates were giving an opportunity to make closing statements.
Pegago said she’s driven to seek office by her love of the county. “I care about Nelson County and the 50th District,” she said. “I want to give back to this community, and this path, this road I’m on feels like the best way to do that.”
Floyd called on Republicans to support the primary winner in the fall election, citing the importance of keeping a Republican in the 50th District seat.
The winner of the May 22 Republican primary will face Democrat Dick Heaton in the November general election.
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