Linda Belcher's Alcohol Problem

In yesterday’s Herald Leader we had the Kentucky Distiller’s Association whining about paying taxes. The story talked about Rep. Linda Belcher and 18 other representatives trying to get tax breaks for the Distillers.

This commentary is from the Kentucky Distiller's Association and was written by John Rhea of Four Roses Distillery; Jeff Conder of Beam Global Spirits & Wine; Tom Krekeler of Wild Turkey Distillery; Chris Morris of Brown-Forman Corp.; Andrea Wilson of Diageo North America; and David Hobbs of Heaven Hill Distilleries……

Last week, members of the Kentucky Distillers' Association testified in support of House Bill 418 before the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. This is an important measure that levels the playing field for Kentucky bourbon.

This bill, sponsored by Rep. Linda Belcher and co-sponsored by 18 other representatives in bipartisan support, allows distilleries to take a corporate income tax credit that would offset the amount of ad valorem taxes paid each year.

In today’s Herald Leader we have a story about Brown and Forman Corp posting a 30 percent profit increase in third quarter.

LOUISVILLE — Liquor company Brown-Forman posted a 30 percent increase in its third-quarter profit Tuesday on the strength of robust international sales and a sales spike for its Jack Daniel's and el Jimador brands.

The Louisville-based company also raised its full-year earnings outlook and reported improving results in the United States, where the economic downturn has made consumers less inclined to venture out to drink at bars and restaurants.

I hope you noticed that one of the whiners about taxes was Chris Morris of Brown-Forman Corp., the same Brown-Forman with the 30 percent profit increase.

Do you really believe that Brown-Forman and the other guys are losing money selling Bourbon?

Maybe part of the reason Kentucky has chronic budget problems has something to do with state legislators like Linda Belcher giving tax breaks to big profitable corporations

Just Do The Right Thing

Why is it so damn hard for political appointees and members of the General Assembly to act in an ethical manner?

The problems seem to run the gamut, from Sen. Julie Denton blowing off ethics training. I understand why she did it and I don’t doubt that she is correct when she says:

What I've seen when I have gone in the past is members who sign in and then leave and go back upstairs to their offices," Denton said. "Or else they'll stay but they basically read newspapers the whole time and don't pay attention."

But come on Julie, just show up and pay attention. I feel like I’m talking to a five year old and telling them “If all your friends jumped off a cliff would you do it.”

Then there is Rep. Keith Hall.

The Legislative Ethics Commission on Tuesday assigned its enforcement counsel to study findings about state Rep. Keith Hall, D-Phelps, and more than $171,000 one of Hall's companies collected through utility contracts that avoided.

Since the Legislative Ethics Commission generally tries as hard as possible to look the other way I have a feeling how this one is going to turn out.

Leaving the General Assembly and looking a political appointee we have Chuck Geveden.

A former highway official violated the state ethics code by using his position to obtain pit and parking passes for three NASCAR races, according to a state ethics panel.

The Executive Branch Ethics Commission has found Chuck Geveden Jr., former head of Kentucky’s Office of Highway Safety, in violation of the state ethics code.

I’ve been to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission training. They make it pretty clear that you shouldn’t even take a cup of coffee while in an official capacity. How Geveden could not get this is kind of mind blowing.

Maybe Geveden was just brought up that way. After all his father got him the job and Charlie Geveden doesn’t see anything wrong with fleecing the Commonwealth by padding his retirement.

And so we are back to the General Assembly, again.

Are They Really The Best We Have?

Do you really want a Governor that would endanger your health by closing a local hospital or a Governor that would sacrifice your child’s education, well that appears to be the choice when you look at Steve Beshear or David Williams.

From the Herald Leader:

Without legislative action, Beshear has said he will be forced to cut Medicaid payments to hospitals, doctors and other health care providers by 30 percent. That move could shut down some rural hospitals, he said…….

Williams, who wants Beshear's job, said the House rejected the last offer of the Senate, which included some across-the-board cuts, including cuts to education, that would total $93 million.

I’ve commented before about how neither career politician is meeting his obligation to the citizens of Kentucky.

The question you have to really ask yourself is do you want either one of these guys to be Governor when they use Health Care and Education to play a game of political one-upmanship?