In support of better Government: A press Release from Kentucky

Senator Virgil Moore Governor Campaign Committee ^ | 1-16-03 | Doug Fiedor

[Doug Fiedor]

From: Senator Virgil Moore Governor Campaign Committee

Contact: Virgil Moore
http://www.virgilmoore.com

For Immediate Release:
==========================================

Frankfort, KY January 15, 2003

Yesterday afternoon, State Senator Virgil Moore formally filed the necessary forms to become a Republican candidate for Governor. Don Bell, of Oldham County, joined Senator Moore on the ticket as candidate for Lt. Governor.

Don Bell, a former Marine, retired after a career as a U.S. Secret Service agent. Over the years, Bell protected Presidents Ford, Nixon, Reagan and Bush. In recent years, Mr. Bell has overwhelmingly won five key races in Republican primaries; two of which were state-wide races.

Senator Moore reports: "We have secured the base to move forward and win the Republican primary for Governor this May. Unofficially, we started quietly working to secure support for our campaign many months ago. So, even though the campaign officially begins today, we already have a great group of campaign volunteers in place around our Commonwealth and, every day, more folks are coming forward to help in our campaign. These folks are both ready and willing to get this campaign started. Which means, out of this year's crowded Republican ticket, we have the best chance to win."

Both Virgil Moore and Don Bell have been leaders all of their adult lives. Both men have broad administrative experience. As a career Army officer, Senator Moore has vast experience as a commander, administrator and personnel manager. Currently, Moore is serving his eleventh year in the state senate, where he has consistently been a stabilizing influence on that body. As a retired career Secret Service agent, Don Bell compliments the ticket with leadership skills, strong accounting skills and an unprecedented experience at sniffing out waste, fraud and abuse.

In 1995, Senator Moore was appointed to the Capitol planning and advisory committee by then President Ech Rose and Senator John Rogers to prepare the incoming Governor a draft budget. That committee prepared a draft that was accepted by Governor Patton as written, with few changes. The 1996 budget provided for a 2.8% pay raise for all state employees and a $200-million surplus that started Kentucky's rainy day fund.

In the 2000 legislative session, Senator Moore accurately predicted the state's current budget shortfall and repeatedly urged the Governor to take corrective steps. Moore also repeatedly asked the administration to cooperate with the General Assembly to prevent the continued loss of manufacturing jobs in Kentucky. Unfortunately, Senator Moore's concerns fell on deaf ears.

Moore says: "At that time, the Governor could have permitted the house to pass legislation that would have saved some of Kentucky's jobs, which would have softened the drop in our economy. But, he did not. Instead the Governor spoke of tax increases.

"Meanwhile others, like the Governor of West Virginia, were pointing in the correct direction by working with businesses and encouraging them to expand in their states -- which both provided new jobs and expanded the states' tax bases. The results are that the growth rate in states like West Virginia are now much higher that Kentucky's." Virginia's administration also has an ongoing advertising program promoting Virginia as Business Friendly.

These failures by the current administration were instrumental in encouraging Senator Moore to consider running for Governor himself -- and hardened his resolve to do so. As Senator Moore repeatedly states: "We can do better." Indeed, as both Moore and Bell believe, the people of Kentucky deserve better.

Senator Moore feels he is the most prepared of any of the candidates to accept the responsibility to lead Kentucky forward. Moore feels "we can and will do better" for Kentucky. The Moore-Bell team will make a difference for the people of Kentucky by improving Kentucky's economy while also providing for education, health care, roads, water, and infrastructure.

Senator Moore says he has demonstrated the determined strength our state needs to exercise the discipline needed on so many issues. He feels he and Don Bell can definitely do better for Kentucky.

Mike Moreland, a Boone County Magistrate who also serves as state chairman for the Republican Liberty Caucus, says that Virgil Moore is one of only five state senators who have pledged to uphold the free-market principles espoused by that group. "In order to receive the endorsement of our organization, a candidate must demonstrate the willingness to reduce government while supporting individual liberty and privacy. Both Senator Moore and Mr. Bell have demonstrated this quality." Other state-wide organizations have also already stated their support for the Moore-Bell ticket.

-- 0.0.0. --

2 enclosures:

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Virgil Moore Biography ? Short Version

Virgil Moore was born in Knox County, Kentucky, and spent most of his boyhood in a small community near Barbourville until his graduation from Knox Central High School. After graduating, Virgil chose to juggle three part- time jobs in order to attend Indiana Technical College, but soon realized his true calling would be in the United States Army, ultimately serving as a decorated Vietnam military commander.

Upon completing his initial four-year enlisted term, Virgil joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Eastern Kentucky University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business and Math, and was subsequently commissioned in the United States Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant by President John F. Kennedy. While attending college, Virgil also met his wife of 44 years, Sharon Maupin, and was named a Distinguished Military Graduate. Together they have three children: Gina, Dana and Scott.

All in all, Virgil Moore served his country for 21 years in the Army, completing tours in Germany, Korea and Vietnam, during which time he also won the Bronze Star for Valor. Then, upon retirement from the military, Virgil chose to pursue a life-long interest in farming on his 600-acre homestead in rural Grayson County, where he continues to raise cattle, tobacco, timber and grain. Shortly after his retirement, however, Virgil was once again called upon to assist the citizens of the Commonwealth by serving as the Grayson County Republican Party Chairman from 1982-1990, a role which would later lead to his election as State Senator in 1992.

Now re-elected to that same office on two subsequent occasions, Virgil currently serves the citizens of Kentucky as Chairman of Senate Transportation Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Licensing and Occupations Committee, and as a senior member of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources and Veterans Affairs Committees.

If elected Kentucky's next Governor, Senator Virgil Moore will continue his dedication to our Commonwealth by working to reduce taxes, localize education, and limit federal and state expansion into private enterprise.

-------------------

Don Bell Biography -- Short Version

Don was born in Parnell, KY (Wayne County) and is one of eleven children. He has been married to Stephanie 32 years. They reside in Buckner, KY, and have three children: Becky, Greg and Brian.

At age 18, Don began working at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. During these years, he became a tour leader, taking visitors on tours of the FBI Headquarters. At this young age, he dealt with the offices of J. Edgar Hoover and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. After completing four years in Washington, Don left to attend college.

Don earned his B.S. Degree from Murray State University and his M.A. Degree from George Washington University. Don had a career with the United States Secret Service, serving 20 years as a Special Agent. During his career, he was assigned to protect former President Truman, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan, and Vice President Bush.

Don received recognition from the FBI, DEA, Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While assigned to the Secret Service Headquarters, he served as the liaison representative with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice, including FBI headquarters.

Don was featured on the CBS TV program ?60 Minutes,? as a result of an investigation that had an impact on fraud and corruption in Kentucky.

Don served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He is an honorary Chief of Police with the Louisville Police Department and a member of the Kentucky Peace Officers Association. He has also served as a member of the U.S. Magistrate/Judge Selection Panel.

[Doug Fiedor]

For those of us who love liberty, here are two candidates for office we should support. They are running on the Republican ticket in Kentucky and have a very good chance of winning.

Both men are active Republican Liberty Caucus supporters and can be depended on to support our individual rights, as well as truth and honesty in government.

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[Doug Fiedor]

A little "truth in reporting" here: I personally know both men and wholeheartedly support their campaign.

[SLB]

Unless they screw the pooch somehow, and I do not think that is possible, they have my vote. Too bad the Hatch Act comes into play, I would like to do some campaigning.

[forest]

The best thing I see here is two guys that support our US Constitution are favored to run a state. Sure wish that would happen in California.

[RonPaulLives]

The best thing I see here is two guys that support our US Constitution are favored to run a state. Sure wish that would happen in California.

Trust me, we have enough idiots in Kentucky that don't even want a constitutionalist like Virgil Moore to run the state. And that's just in the GOP Primary!!! Go Virgil Go!

[the irate magistrate]

This is nicely done thank you Doug!

[the irate magistrate]

Thursday, January 16, 2003

Patton will propose increase in taxes


By Mark R. Chellgren
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - Gov. Paul Patton said Wednesday he will propose a tax increase to patch the leaky state budget and the brunt of it would fall on corporate Kentucky.

Mr. Patton met with business leaders at his office Wednesday to warn them of his plans. Mr. Patton said the final form of his tax proposal will depend to some extent on reaction.

Nevertheless, Mr. Patton said he intends to propose a "complete, comprehensive review of the way we tax the business community in Kentucky."

The proposal is believed to revolve around a business activity tax as a replacement for the corporate income tax and corporate license fee.

A business activity tax is not commonplace and only Michigan among nearby states imposes such a levy. Such a tax often is based on a company's payroll, investment and sales in a state. It can be modified in many ways, depending on the rates and covered activities.

Mr. Patton outlined his idea to nine members of the board of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, including its chairman, Dan Lacy of Ashland Inc. Also in the meeting was Tony Sholar, the chamber's lobbyist, who said Mr. Patton was suggesting "a fairly major shift in a tax policy, going from ... corporate income tax, which is based on profits, to an activities tax, which is a tax based on business activity irrespective of making a profit."

"You pay a tax on the privilege of doing business in a state, based on how much money you have invested in the state, how much money you utilize to run your business," Mr. Sholar said.

The chamber officials have several questions about Mr. Patton's idea, including whether the state will end up having to grant larger and costlier incentives to attract new and expanding business, Mr. Sholar said.

During an impromptu question and answer session with reporters in the Capitol Rotunda, Mr. Patton repeated a litany he began a few weeks ago about how corporate Kentucky has not maintained its obligations.

When the business community signed onto the 1990 tax increase to finance the Kentucky Education Reform, corporate taxes raised about $350 million a year and constituted about 10 percent of the state budget.

By 2002, Mr. Patton said, corporate income taxes contributed only about $320 million to the General Fund and made up about 5 percent of the total.

While individual income and sales taxes have more than doubled, corporate income taxes have actually declined, he said.




TOP STORIES

[Doug Fiedor]

Interesting article, Irate One. But, we certainly cannot expect anything different from the likes of Paul Patton and his tax and spend crew.

Socialists like Paul Patton only know one fix to correct the costs of an ever-expanding government -- tax the proletariat more.

The words, "liberty, freedom and efficiency in government" shall never pass through his lips. Paul Patton, the bimbo squeezer, just cannot think in those terms.

Time for some significant changes, eh? Kentucky needs the adult leadership a Moore-Bell administration can offer. Looking at the last copy of the State budget Senator Roeding provided me, I see an easy $100-million is savings. I am sure, if I had the time to snoop around and ask a few questions, I could find yet another $100-million to save.

But, Paul Patton? Fat chance! There is absolutely no way he would redline all those useless patronage positions to save taxpayers money. Just ain't gunna happen. Never. They all kickback big bucks to the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. That's the system. Patton cannot delete any of those over-paid positions.

I, for one, gleefully relish the thought of Lt. Governor Don Bell scouring the state budget and identifying some of the waste, fraud and abuse in Kentucky government. I know that, as Governor, Virgil Moore will not be able to allow every abuse to be canceled immediately. But, I also know that many departments would quickly be put on notice and required to make corrections. Which means, the people of Kentucky will benefit significantly.

Politically, a new broom usually sweeps clean. But that may be a bit impossible in Kentucky because the crud has encrusted hard over many years. Nevertheless, we can expect the Moore-Bell team to quickly remove the top layer of filth.

Another interesting point: Some folks have to greatly fear Don Bell holding office. . . . . . Greatly! If he starts looking around closely, Kentucky will have to empanel an investigative grand jury and there will be a number of indictments. Consider that during the campaign. Others certainly will be.

We will not be talking "business as usual" in Frankfort when the Moore-Bell team gets in office. Be advised, they will not just upset some apple carts. They could crush a lot of apples into cider.

Ah yes, the new broom sweeps clean. Problem is, in Frankfort, it would take a big scraper, not just a broom.

[SLB]

A wise Republican platform will be a total revision of the tax structure. Income, property, sales, use - the whole sheebang needs to be overhauled. Get busy on that for a platform, show where we will get more bang for the buck and you will have something.

I heard on WHAS radio last night that two of the first group of inmates are already back in jail for new crimes. Patton should be there with them. Our local Commonwealth's Attorney who is a democrat, told me he considered Patton's actions in releasing the prisoners to be criminally negligent. This is another horse that needs to be ridden into the ground. I know of one convicted felon who is bordering on death, he is in LaGrange to be close to a hospital, but is not being pardoned, even though his family has asked for it and prison officials have recommended it. The state (you and me) picks up all his health bills, yet will not turn him out and save even more. He is too weak to stand, has to either be in bed or a wheel chair. A real threat to society!

[the irate magistrate]

I just knew you'd be on top of that Doug!!

That answer is very well done.

[the irate magistrate]

They are for up-ending the tax structure with it's results, big spending and corruption.

[Jim Robinson]

Sounds great, Doug! Hope they get elected!

[Fred Mertz]

This is great!

[Lion Den Dan]

. Too bad the Hatch Act comes into play,

Bumper stickers. Say after me, "BUMPER STICKERS, lots of BUMPER STICKERS."

BUMPER STICKERS BUMPER STICKERS BUMPER STICKERS BUMPER STICKERS BUMPER STICKERS BUMBER STICKERS BUMMER STICKERS

How many BUMPER STICKERS fit on that Suburban????

[Doug Fiedor]

Budget? You want to talk tax and spend and budget? :-) The only good budget Paul Patton ever had was the first one. And, that was because Virgil Moore & committee wrote it for him. Remember that one? That was the budget that gave Kentucky a $200-million rainy-day fund. That was the very same rainy-day fund that Patton later pilfered -- before creating a huge deficit.

Virgil Moore is a budget hawk. His idea of "red ink" will be his red pen crossing out so many bureaucratic positions the state will immediately bounce back into the black. Fact is, the savings will be so great that even Democratic politicians will be embarrassed into giving tax cuts.

But, that's just the overhead stuff. Let's take that one step deeper for a second. How much waste, fraud and abuse have you seen in Kentucky government? We all know of some.

Now, remember retired Secret Service agent Don Bell is on that ticket with Virgil Moore. We're talking about someone with a "black belt" in financial and criminal investigations here! Don knows his way around a budget, too. And, he will take a very dim view of many of the shenanigans Kentucky bureaucrats get away with today. How much will that save?

There is much to do in paring down that bloated Kentucky government and streamlining it into the twenty-first century. I expect the Moore-Bell team to get right to it. There will be endless kicking and screaming from the Democrats and their liberal media sycophants, of course. But, after the worst of the shakeout is over, the people of Kentucky will be pleasantly surprised to watch their taxes decrease every year for a few years, rather than increase.

That done, some new cash-crops brought in and a half-million new jobs created, Kentucky is going to be a damn nice place to live again. Significantly lower taxes, more freedom from over-bearing bureaucrats, a better economy, and some freedom to pass on to the kids. What's not to like here?

It all sounds like a typical political cliché, I guess. But, it's doable. And, that is exactly what Virgil Moore and Don Bell have in mind. Virgil already showed us how easy it was to get started -- back in that 1995 budget. Now, like then, the state takes in too much tax money. It's just that Patton wastes much of the tax money. If nothing else, Paul Patton has proven conclusively that he is a very poor administrator.

Conversely, Virgil Moore has already demonstrated that he will be a good executive and will manage the people's tax money properly.

[the irate magistrate]

thanks jim.

we're trying hard

[the irate magistrate]

word gets out very soon about the moore-bell team.

[Dianna]

It all sounds like a typical political cliché, I guess. But, it's doable. And, that is exactly what Virgil Moore and Don Bell have in mind. Virgil already showed us how easy it was to get started -- back in that 1995 budget. Now, like then, the state takes in too much tax money.

This sounds great! I haven't been very involved in local politics, so tell me, is there a large number of RINO's who are going to scream that Moore/Bell want to starve the poor people of Kentucky? Just how bad will the opposition to REAL conservatism be?

[forest]

The Moore/Bell team is RLC. Congressman Ron Paul is RLC. Can you get the Congressman on line here for a few good words?