Monday, 8 June 2009
Gov Beshear's Unnecessary Special Session
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Apparently the agenda is set for next weeks special session of the legislature. And it is a very full docket.
Of course, I know the real reason these items have been added. It is an attempt to provide cover for the true purpose of the special session. Slots at tracks. Is there anyone in this state who doesn't believe the sole reason for the session is slots? Even with all of these tack on issues it is obvious this session is all about slots.
Let's go through the progression again. First, he called the session to "solve" the debt problem. But Sen Williams already said that was unnecessary. He already had the authority to make the cuts. The next reason was to "save" the horse industry. But the fact that Beshear left Sen Williams competing idea on saving the industry off the agenda tells me he doesn't want to save the horse industry. He wants legalized gambling in Kentucky. The fact that he dissed Sen Williams idea almost assuredly dooms slots for the session.
So what are we left with? A session to approve cuts Beshear already had the power to do. A slots bill that has zero chance to pass. And two agenda items that could have waited 6 months till the net regular session. I think that qualifies as an unnecessary session.
Beshear’s agenda will include a plan to deal with a $1 billion shortfall in the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, slots at the tracks, an economic incentives package and the mega-transportation projects.The first thing I am baffled by is the economic incentive packages and mega-transportation projects. Are these really so important that they can't wait 6 months until the regular session. Especially the mega-transportation projects. It's not like these issues are going anywhere in the next six months. I have no idea why these items were crammed into the agenda for the special session. Do we really need to spend money in a "special session" now when we are dealing with a billion dollar shortfall?
Of course, I know the real reason these items have been added. It is an attempt to provide cover for the true purpose of the special session. Slots at tracks. Is there anyone in this state who doesn't believe the sole reason for the session is slots? Even with all of these tack on issues it is obvious this session is all about slots.
Let's go through the progression again. First, he called the session to "solve" the debt problem. But Sen Williams already said that was unnecessary. He already had the authority to make the cuts. The next reason was to "save" the horse industry. But the fact that Beshear left Sen Williams competing idea on saving the industry off the agenda tells me he doesn't want to save the horse industry. He wants legalized gambling in Kentucky. The fact that he dissed Sen Williams idea almost assuredly dooms slots for the session.
So what are we left with? A session to approve cuts Beshear already had the power to do. A slots bill that has zero chance to pass. And two agenda items that could have waited 6 months till the net regular session. I think that qualifies as an unnecessary session.
Posted by at 9:01 PM in Kentucky Politics
