All Entries in the "Rocky Adkins" Category

House members raise $12,000 for Haiti

FRANKFORT — Members and staffers of the House dug deep into their own pockets to raise $12,000 for the University of Kentucky’s Hoops for Haiti program.

The program — which won praise from President Barack Obama earlier this week — has raised more than $1 million for relief efforts in Haiti following a devastating Jan. 12 earthquake that left the poverty-stricken nation in shambles. Spearheaded by UK Coach John Calipari with an assist from his team and local business leaders, the fundraiser raised the the bulk of its cash during a Jan. 17 telethon and an online auction. But more money keeps trickling in.

Raising coal industry tax a tough sell

By John Cheves – jcheves@herald-leader.com

Gov. Steve Beshear and the legislature could find themselves wrestling this summer with a $1 billion state budget shortfall. But there’s one option the politicians say they will not consider: higher coal taxes.

Kentucky hasn’t touched its coal severance tax rate or its mine permit fees in about 30 years, while other taxes and fees gradually increased and other coal states asked the mining industry to contribute more.

Tennessee lawmakers, for instance, sent a bill to their governor April 24 hiking that state’s coal severance tax from 20 cents a ton to $1 a ton over four years.

But few at the Kentucky Capitol expect such action here, no matter how painful the spending cuts that might be coming.

While Beshear says it’s too early to discuss specifics, the House and Senate budget chairmen this week said coal is off-limits. They, and the Kentucky Coal Association, warned that raising coal taxes would discourage mining in the state and eliminate jobs.

“If you try to raise the severance tax, we’ll squeal,” said Bill Caylor, Kentucky Coal Association president.

Beshear says budget shortfall could top $1 billion

FRANKFORT — Kentucky is bracing for what may be the largest shortfall ever in its state budget — more than $1 billion.

Gov. Steve Beshear said Thursday that a special legislative session is likely to address the dismal financial scene that comes on top of this year’s law-making session that raised taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and made about $150 million in cuts to handle nearly a half-billion budget shortfall.

Renewable energy bill likely killed by nuclear power, drilling proposals

FRANKFORT — A bill to promote renewable energy is likely dead after the state Senate tacked on measures last week that would lift a state moratorium on nuclear power plants and allow drilling for oil and gas on state-owned lands.

House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins, who sponsored the original bill for Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration, does not expect the House to take up the amended measure when lawmakers return to Frankfort next week, said Susan Klimchak, a spokesman for Adkins.

Lawmaker’s coal mine was cited

State inspectors last year cited and shut down a small coal mine near Pikeville for not having a mine emergency technician on duty, in violation of a mine-safety law requiring at least two METs whenever coal is being produced.

That mine was owned by state Rep. Keith Hall, D-Phelps, who is now using his political clout to attack the law, calling it unreasonably tough.

Tax incentive package designed to lure Sprint Cup race

FRANKFORT – State lawmakers will consider a proposal to provide hefty tax incentives to help Kentucky Speedway attract a NASCAR race next year. Gov. Steve Beshear, at a Capitol news conference, said the impact of a NASCAR Sprint Series Cup race at the Gallatin County track is “undeniable.”