GOP primary candidates for governor spar live on KET ‘Kentucky Tonight’

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, May 9, 2011 11:59 p.m. – The three Republicans running in the gubernatorial primary took their shots at one another during their KET appearance on “Kentucky Tonight” hosted by Bill Goodman.

Senate President David Williams, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw answered questions posed by Goodman, viewers and one another. The exchanges between Williams and Moffett were congenial at the beginning, but soon the two were sparring over a variety of topics, requiring Goodman to jump in to take control of the discussion.

Moffett told viewers that he was a politician not a businessman, and if viewers want to see real change in Frankfort it was time to elect a governor who wasn’t a career politician.

Williams touted his record as the longest serving member of the Senate and his record on enhancing and supporting public education. “If people want a known quantity to fight against Gov. Beshear in the fall, they’ll vote for David Williams and Richie Farmer,” he said.

Holsclaw said that her job of serving the public was a labor of love. “I believe in putting people first and politics second,” she said.

When asked what he felt the public didn’t know about him, Williams quipped that his “human side” was seldom featured in the state media. “I could give you my scowl that they always put in the Courier-Journal,” he quipped.

EDUCATION, BUDGET, RUNNING MATES. Moffett said he supported parents’ rights to send their kids to schools other than the ones to which they are assigned. He told of a private scholarship fund that he helped create that allows low-income at-risk kids to go to private schools. “We took these kids and changed their lives,” he said.

Moffett said he felt it was the governor’s job to protect the constitutional rights of the people. “The office is about setting a vision and plan, and working with both sides to make it happen,” he said.

As governor, Moffett said he would eliminate existing taxes and replace them with consumption-based taxes; he would place educational accountability at the district level; and he would cut the budget to stop borrowing money.

“David Williams has signed off on every budget since 2000, and we’re $41 billion more in debt than we were 10 years ago,” Moffett said.

“You’re being a little disingenuous here,” Williams shot back. “I’ve worked to change the tax structure … some of your ideas, like open enrollment in education, is nonsensical.”

Moffett pointed out that 75 percent of Kentucky students are not reading at grade level. Williams interrupted to state his record of working to improve education, citing it as “the bedrock of what government does.” As Moffett continued to talk, Williams quipped, “You’re all hat and no cattle, you’ve never done anything like this before.”

On a discussion of running mates, Moffett said he specifically chose state Rep. Mike Harmon of Danville because of his experience in the General Assembly. “He brings institutional knowledge to the ticket,’ Moffett said. “I don’t know the players and process, but Mike does.”

Williams said he was proud to have Richie Farmer as his running mate. Williams later said that he was ready to be governor if elected. “People can expect me to be governor from Day 1,” he said. “The governor’s office is not a place for on-the-job training.”

In response to a caller from Boone County about prescription drug abuse, Moffett said government programs aren’t very effective in dealing with drug abuse, though he was in favor of drug testing for those on public assistance. “When you’re dealing with self-destructive personalities, you can’t stop them from working to satisfy their habits,” he said.

“I’m a little suspect of the libertarian tone you take about drug addiction,” Williams said. “I think faith-based programs work, and I don’t think you should give up on anyone.”

Moffett said he supported government assistance for those who truly need it, calling for more scrutiny on eligibility. “We can control costs and promote individual responsibility,” he said.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Moffett and Williams did find an area of near-agreement when the topic turned to encouraging businesses to locate in Kentucky.

Moffett said businesses need two things from state government: A tax system they can believe will stay stable, and fair and predictable state regulations. He supported a move to consumption-based taxes.

Williams agreed that there needed to be a move toward consumption-based taxing. “We also need to look at local taxes,” he said. Counties with populations under 30,000 have nearly an unlimited ability to tax, he said. Critics call consumption-based taxes regression, but “the most regressive tax is not to have a job,” Williams added.

Moffett said supports a complete tax overhaul that adds a consumption tax and repeals other taxes.

Citing his previous suggestions on tax reform, Williams said that doing so requires looking at all the taxes and evaluating funding mechanisms for schools and local governments. “It’s a tough road politically,” he said. “Tax reform must convince people it will bring jobs to Kentucky.”

EXPANDED GAMBLING. On the topic of the horse industry and expanded gaming, Holsclaw said she agreed the thoroughbred industry was in trouble and supports expanded gaming. “Let the voters vote on it.”

Moffett said before he would support expanded gaming, he would prefer to “get government out of the horse industry’s way.” He wouldn’t consider expanded gambling until tax reform was complete as well.

Williams agreed the state’s horse industry is in trouble, but added that there are no shortage of industries in trouble. He was critical of Gov. Steve Beshear’s support of locating expanded gaming at the state’s horse tracks.

“This is the most political governor we’ve ever had,” he said. “Giving (the horse industry) a monopoly is not the answer.”

If expanded gaming happens, the constitutional amendment will be the preferred route, Williams said, noting that no proposed amendment has come out of the state house or senate. “It’s not economic development,” he said. “I’m not for it, but the legislation can be put on the ballot if [the General Assembly] can agree on it.”

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