Opinion

This week the major discussion and media emphasis in Kentucky have been on the funding that we will receive from the federal stimulus package. It is anticipated that Spencer County will be given money for road, education, health and welfare, sewer and water issues. While the stimulus money will no doubt help with the projected budget shortfall in the near-term, I am concerned about the incredible debt this plan creates, which will take decades for our kids and grandkids (the taxpayers) to repay.

As we weathered the recent snow and ice, it was easy to take note of the damage it brought. There were trees down, cars off to the sides of the roads, and the unsettling darkness in our homes when the lights should have been on. Mother Nature then changed course by following her winter display and frigid temperatures, with a couple of unseasonably warm days, allowing us the opportunity to clean up most of the leftover debris while the neighborhood kids rode their bikes. Not wanting to spoil us, she then treated us to a day of high brisk winds followed by a rainbow over Elk Creek.

by Rep. BRAD MONTELL

R-House Dist. 58

The legislature approved last week a rescue plan to plug the projected $456 million hole in the state budget this fiscal year with a combination of new revenue, spending cuts and fund transfers. The plan, which was passed by the House on Wednesday and cleared the Senate Friday, is contained in two bills that House and Senate leaders were able to reach consensus on in recent weeks. The bills will take effect immediately upon Governor Steve Beshear’s expected signature.

My heart goes out to the school board as they make some tough decisions. I also had to make tough decisions when it came to budgets while I was chief of police of Taylorsville. What I do cut, and where do I cut it.

I am writing in response to the letter last week regarding Spencer County Youth Basketball.

The coaches are volunteer parents who are giving their time to teach the game of basketball and provide a good experience for our children. Good sportsmanship is important and I believe that it has been emphasized.

Anytime you have 10 children on the court playing enthusiastically there will be some “rough play”, but from what I have seen it is not intentional and the kids are out there having fun.

by SENATOR GARY TAPP

R-Senate District 20

Every year, many good bills fail simply because there isn’t enough time for both chambers to fully consider them. That’s especially true in a 30-day “short session” like this year’s. In the last two weeks, however, the Senate has taken early action on major legislation, giving the House more time to study those bills.

The following is a partial letter I wrote to a good friend of mine who lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the weather has been 82 degrees with sunshine and warm island breezes.  While tropical winds were blowing south of us, we were in the midst of one of the worst winter ice storms on record.

“Dear Jim,

Since some of us had to cut back on what we spend at local businesses (producing local jobs)because of the new tax on our homeowners insurance, what does the county government plan for an encore?  A tax on taxes?

 Why are high schools changing their school colors to black?  Are black uniforms cheaper than blue ones?  Are they just copying off UofL?  If UofL people jump off the bridge, will high school people jump too?

In response to a previous letter titled “Cemetery should respect flag.”

The Valley Cemetery Board would like to clarify that Mr. Robinson’s flag pole had not been “chopped down,” as Ms. Waldridge implied. However, in November we had a strong wind storm that blew Mr. Robinson’s flag pole down along with others.