This past weekend was a big one for state sales tax holidays.
National Retail Federation spokesman Craig Shearman summed up the fake consumer benefits like this:
"Americans have hated paying taxes going back to the Boston Tea Party, and when they have an opportunity to avoid it, they love it," he said. "The psychological appeal far outweighs the amount of money being saved."
Any day now, Kentucky will be getting a pre-filed bill to institute one of these sales tax holidays. The Christmas-like feeding frenzy traffic is way out of proportion to the amount of actual consumer saving occurring. The hype just doesn't play out to the advantage of consumers.
What's interesting is some states report increased sales tax revenue during sales tax holidays because eager shoppers buy more things that aren't exempt from the tax than they normally would.
Sheep get sheared, as usual.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
500,000 Reasons For Domestic Partner Benefits
The Courier-Journal keeps alive for now their drive to extend state university health benefits to include anyone who can lie on an affadavit.
Actually, they get closer to a strong case by finding a $500,000 a year rainmaker at the University of Wisconsin who took himself and his partner to another school because UW didn't do partner benefits either.
That got my attention.
My concern with extending domestic partner benefits is primarily that single state employees would then be able to sign a piece of paper and obtain coverage for a sick friend taxpayers would wind up paying for. The "step toward gay marriage" stuff doesn't concern me quite as much because private companies are already doing it. Still shouldn't be condoned by the state, but the bigger problem is with the money.
Nevertheless, since General Assembly Democrats will want to avoid another "marriage amendment" fiasco like 2004, legislation to ban this practice will sail through and be signed into law quickly in January.
I have an idea.
Looking at the case of the $500K a year man UW lost, why don't we allow any university employee who brings in grants every year of $500,000 or more to add one person to his or her health plan. Heck, if they bring in a million we might even let them have two. We won't bother with them promising that they love each other or live together or are having sex. If they bring in this much money, they get a freebie. Spare us the details.
The liberals on this will be somewhat appeased, since they make their case that this benefit is critical to getting and keeping valuable people. So the people who more than pull their weight financially can sign up a friend. Social conservatives will be appeased somewhat because the people involved don't pretend to be married to get benefits. If we keep it a purely financial transaction, we have more winners than losers.
This will just make the "homosexuality is a civil right" folks mad, but their alternative is to get nothing.
Actually, they get closer to a strong case by finding a $500,000 a year rainmaker at the University of Wisconsin who took himself and his partner to another school because UW didn't do partner benefits either.
That got my attention.
My concern with extending domestic partner benefits is primarily that single state employees would then be able to sign a piece of paper and obtain coverage for a sick friend taxpayers would wind up paying for. The "step toward gay marriage" stuff doesn't concern me quite as much because private companies are already doing it. Still shouldn't be condoned by the state, but the bigger problem is with the money.
Nevertheless, since General Assembly Democrats will want to avoid another "marriage amendment" fiasco like 2004, legislation to ban this practice will sail through and be signed into law quickly in January.
I have an idea.
Looking at the case of the $500K a year man UW lost, why don't we allow any university employee who brings in grants every year of $500,000 or more to add one person to his or her health plan. Heck, if they bring in a million we might even let them have two. We won't bother with them promising that they love each other or live together or are having sex. If they bring in this much money, they get a freebie. Spare us the details.
The liberals on this will be somewhat appeased, since they make their case that this benefit is critical to getting and keeping valuable people. So the people who more than pull their weight financially can sign up a friend. Social conservatives will be appeased somewhat because the people involved don't pretend to be married to get benefits. If we keep it a purely financial transaction, we have more winners than losers.
This will just make the "homosexuality is a civil right" folks mad, but their alternative is to get nothing.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
News From Fancy Farm
Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced at Fancy Farm he is considering a run for Governor in 2007. This adds a layer of interest to the fundraiser he is headlining on August 31 in Stanford for Barry Metcalf.
Meanwhile, gubernatorial wannabe Steve Henry was talking a little too loudly about his difficulty in finding a running mate. He was also talking up scandal-tarred Sen. Ed Worley as a potential candidate for the top job himself, leading to speculation both that Henry wants Worley to run with him and that he isn't paying enough attention to know Ed's exploits have severely damaged his prospects.
Meanwhile, gubernatorial wannabe Steve Henry was talking a little too loudly about his difficulty in finding a running mate. He was also talking up scandal-tarred Sen. Ed Worley as a potential candidate for the top job himself, leading to speculation both that Henry wants Worley to run with him and that he isn't paying enough attention to know Ed's exploits have severely damaged his prospects.
Courier Journal Proves My Point
The Louisville Courier-Journal printed an editorial today that perfectly underscores the entire purpose for the conservative blogosphere.
Selective dissemination of facts and biased use of terms in the editorial titled Silk-stocking Setback beg for correction. At issue is the minimum wage/estate tax bill Senate Democrats killed this past week.
The Courier repeats the baseless assertion that raising the minimum wage helps the poor, but its frequent repetition renders that one hardly noteworthy anymore.
The big red flag comes with use of the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities as a source on the estate tax issue. The untrained eye might let slip the description of those liberal think tankers as "non-partisan," which is the label the CJ tries to apply to them. These are the same journalists who dismiss The Bluegrass Institute as a "conservative propaganda mill."
When the CJ cites the infamous "several reports" as proof that the estate tax has no impact on small business and farms and then rolls seamlessly into a distortion of the number of affected estates -- based only on year 2009 projections with the higher exemptions that will be gone by 2011.
And businesses placed at risk by this deadly tax affect not just the owners, but their employees as well.
Liberals hang their hats on the fact Americans continue to survive their policies, citing our endurance as proof that the policies aren't as bad as we say they are. But American ingenuity has made our country great despite bureaucratic roadblocks, not because of them. It makes no sense that we spend tax dollars incentivizing some new businesses to grow with one hand and then risk the existence of others because of the death of an owner in the name of collecting tax dollars.
Just another reason to tax consumption rather than income and wealth.
Selective dissemination of facts and biased use of terms in the editorial titled Silk-stocking Setback beg for correction. At issue is the minimum wage/estate tax bill Senate Democrats killed this past week.
The Courier repeats the baseless assertion that raising the minimum wage helps the poor, but its frequent repetition renders that one hardly noteworthy anymore.
The big red flag comes with use of the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities as a source on the estate tax issue. The untrained eye might let slip the description of those liberal think tankers as "non-partisan," which is the label the CJ tries to apply to them. These are the same journalists who dismiss The Bluegrass Institute as a "conservative propaganda mill."
When the CJ cites the infamous "several reports" as proof that the estate tax has no impact on small business and farms and then rolls seamlessly into a distortion of the number of affected estates -- based only on year 2009 projections with the higher exemptions that will be gone by 2011.
And businesses placed at risk by this deadly tax affect not just the owners, but their employees as well.
Liberals hang their hats on the fact Americans continue to survive their policies, citing our endurance as proof that the policies aren't as bad as we say they are. But American ingenuity has made our country great despite bureaucratic roadblocks, not because of them. It makes no sense that we spend tax dollars incentivizing some new businesses to grow with one hand and then risk the existence of others because of the death of an owner in the name of collecting tax dollars.
Just another reason to tax consumption rather than income and wealth.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Big Endorsement For Bill Farmer
State Rep. Bill Farmer (R-Lexington) has an opponent this fall that some liberals just love. Chris Frost is a teacher who wants to raise taxes to spend more money on schools.
But his rhetoric, for some reason, hasn't garnered any credibility for his campaign.
The Kentucky Education Association has just endorsed Rep. Farmer's re-election and sent him a $1000 contribution. If Frost can't get that one, he might as well start spending more time with his family.
But his rhetoric, for some reason, hasn't garnered any credibility for his campaign.
The Kentucky Education Association has just endorsed Rep. Farmer's re-election and sent him a $1000 contribution. If Frost can't get that one, he might as well start spending more time with his family.
Do Some Good: Income Tax Holiday
This weekend, several states are putting on their Sales Tax Holidays. In retail, ten percent discounts are routine for the asking and these marketing stunts -- complete with legislative lobbying and yammering politician support -- provide little of real value to consumers.
You want to do some good? How about an income tax holiday for regular income and commissions? Exempt bonuses, but give the folks a break where it counts.
You want to do some good? How about an income tax holiday for regular income and commissions? Exempt bonuses, but give the folks a break where it counts.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Lundergan Plan For 2006 Revealed
Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Lundergan isn't worried that Hillary Clinton ate his lunch and took all his money. He has a plan for winning Congressional races in 2006.
Here's a hint: sounds like part Howard Dean and part John Kerry.
"There's two major things. One, its the war in Iraq and also gasoline prices. Now those are both caused by and happened on the watch of a Republican president," Lundergan said.
He made these and other winning comments at a taping of Bill Goodman's One to One program that will air Friday at 10 pm Eastern and again Sunday at 2 pm Eastern.
Here's a hint: sounds like part Howard Dean and part John Kerry.
"There's two major things. One, its the war in Iraq and also gasoline prices. Now those are both caused by and happened on the watch of a Republican president," Lundergan said.
He made these and other winning comments at a taping of Bill Goodman's One to One program that will air Friday at 10 pm Eastern and again Sunday at 2 pm Eastern.
Moberly: Ed Worley Is My Daddy
Rep. Harry Moberly is known for having a taste for petulance.
He had a heaping helping of it today in front of a crowd of about 100 people at the Madison County Courthouse. When addressing the campaign of scandal-plagued Senator Ed Worley, Moberly whined: "If Ed Worley isn't re-elected, I will just have to retire."
Moberly is perhaps confusing his own popularity with the successful Democrat gerrymandering of his House district. Either way, his bluster in support of his buddy might get turned up a notch or two before election day.
Stay tuned...
He had a heaping helping of it today in front of a crowd of about 100 people at the Madison County Courthouse. When addressing the campaign of scandal-plagued Senator Ed Worley, Moberly whined: "If Ed Worley isn't re-elected, I will just have to retire."
Moberly is perhaps confusing his own popularity with the successful Democrat gerrymandering of his House district. Either way, his bluster in support of his buddy might get turned up a notch or two before election day.
Stay tuned...
Napier For Governor Slate Soon?
The anonymously run website for Rep. Lonnie Napier's potential run for Governor is now naming potential running mates.
Representatives Jamie Comer, Dwight Butler, and Jon Draud, according to the site, have spoken or will soon speak with Rep. Napier regarding making a run against Governor Fletcher. A source with knowledge of the discussions indicated there are two other names with a possibly a wider base of support.
Representatives Jamie Comer, Dwight Butler, and Jon Draud, according to the site, have spoken or will soon speak with Rep. Napier regarding making a run against Governor Fletcher. A source with knowledge of the discussions indicated there are two other names with a possibly a wider base of support.
Innes On Education
Richard Innes is a burr in the saddle of double-talking education officials in Frankfort.
So this looks like very good news.
So this looks like very good news.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Regents Lawsuit Can't Hold Water
Three rejected nominees to the Board of Regents at Murray State University have filed a stupid lawsuit against the Governor, claiming Fletcher must nominate one of them.
If they had only read KRS 12.070(3), they could have saved themselves the embarrassment. Here it is:
Where appointments to administrative boards and commissions are made from lists submitted to him, the Governor may reject the list and require that other lists be submitted.
If they had only read KRS 12.070(3), they could have saved themselves the embarrassment. Here it is:
Where appointments to administrative boards and commissions are made from lists submitted to him, the Governor may reject the list and require that other lists be submitted.
Paducah Citizens Didn't Get Memo
Kentucky Democrats keep spinning that their no-idea complaining will triumph over Republican conservatism. The citizens of the 3rd House district, however, aren't buying it.
Republican House candidate Bruce Brockenborough is pulling bipartisan local support in his bid to unseat languid Rep. Frank Rasche with a message of better serving the people in his district.
"The more we focus on our community and the less we worry about Frankfort, the better off we'll be in Paducah," Brockenborough said.
He says a top priority is to organize the five House members who represent McCracken county to work together better.
"I'm going to serve in office the same way I do now, with a laser beam focus on this community."
Imagine that: working for his constituents and not out-of-state interest groups. What a concept!
Republican House candidate Bruce Brockenborough is pulling bipartisan local support in his bid to unseat languid Rep. Frank Rasche with a message of better serving the people in his district.
"The more we focus on our community and the less we worry about Frankfort, the better off we'll be in Paducah," Brockenborough said.
He says a top priority is to organize the five House members who represent McCracken county to work together better.
"I'm going to serve in office the same way I do now, with a laser beam focus on this community."
Imagine that: working for his constituents and not out-of-state interest groups. What a concept!
Georgia Mud Wrestling!
I love this: blithering Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) is suing blathering journalist Cynthia Tucker and her Atlanta Journal-Constitution for libel.
At issue is McKinney's 2002 comments about what President Bush knew in advance about Sept. 11.
We will be hearing a lot more about this once the left latches on to it.
UPDATE: Apparently, there's no lawsuit. That's a shame. Would have been a lot of fun to watch. McKinney remains in trouble, nonetheless, just about every time she opens her mouth.
At issue is McKinney's 2002 comments about what President Bush knew in advance about Sept. 11.
We will be hearing a lot more about this once the left latches on to it.
UPDATE: Apparently, there's no lawsuit. That's a shame. Would have been a lot of fun to watch. McKinney remains in trouble, nonetheless, just about every time she opens her mouth.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
His Culture Of Corruption Ain't So Bad, Is It?
Sources report Sen. Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is polling his district asking if voters will hold his various financial scandals against him.
Greg Stumbo Is Eliot Spitzering
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, after mastering the art of running questionable investigations in the media, has leveraged that skill into a successful campaign for his state's Governor's Mansion.
Greg Stumbo is doing the same thing with this gas price-gouging foolishness.
Fortunately, The Bluegrass Institute economists are on the case and will have a report out on this in the next few days.
Greg Stumbo is doing the same thing with this gas price-gouging foolishness.
Fortunately, The Bluegrass Institute economists are on the case and will have a report out on this in the next few days.
Bill Frist Is Toast
A story getting little coverage outside West Virginia -- yet -- indicates Bill Frist isn't our guy for 2008 or even for the Senate Leader now.
Putnam General, an HCA hospital in West Virginia, announced today it is closing under a flurry of malpractice lawsuits against one orthopedic surgeon. West Virginia has caps on liability but they, rightly, don't apply to something as horrific as this.
The news story in the above link doesn't get into it, but Dr. John King hadn't completed a residency in orthopedics. Nevertheless, he was performing surgeries -- many of them with disastrous effects -- on unsuspecting patients. Hospital staff complaints about Dr. King were routinely ignored. Potential liability is estimated at half a billion dollars.
This case transcends malpractice liability reform, which I believe we need in Kentucky. The real issue, that will come out soon enough, is how hospital managers ignored clear warning signs and then HCA execs sought to dump their liability on the sly and (failing that) started selling shares.
Mitch McConnell might want to start getting ready for his own stint as Majority Leader a little ahead of schedule.
Putnam General, an HCA hospital in West Virginia, announced today it is closing under a flurry of malpractice lawsuits against one orthopedic surgeon. West Virginia has caps on liability but they, rightly, don't apply to something as horrific as this.
The news story in the above link doesn't get into it, but Dr. John King hadn't completed a residency in orthopedics. Nevertheless, he was performing surgeries -- many of them with disastrous effects -- on unsuspecting patients. Hospital staff complaints about Dr. King were routinely ignored. Potential liability is estimated at half a billion dollars.
This case transcends malpractice liability reform, which I believe we need in Kentucky. The real issue, that will come out soon enough, is how hospital managers ignored clear warning signs and then HCA execs sought to dump their liability on the sly and (failing that) started selling shares.
Mitch McConnell might want to start getting ready for his own stint as Majority Leader a little ahead of schedule.
RomneyCare Is a Dog
Just watched a presentation on Mitt Romney's healthcare plan at the Southern Legislative Conference.
I saw nothing to persuade me this is a good thing. The silly tar baby comment Mitt was apologizing for yesterday doesn't hold a candle to this HillaryCare Lite train wreck.
While I was skeptical before about his proposal, I saw no redeeming qualities in this at all. Like when Kentucky's 1994 plan to create healthcare Nirvana caused us to go from 83% insured to 74% insured, this turkey will only hurt matters.
I saw nothing to persuade me this is a good thing. The silly tar baby comment Mitt was apologizing for yesterday doesn't hold a candle to this HillaryCare Lite train wreck.
While I was skeptical before about his proposal, I saw no redeeming qualities in this at all. Like when Kentucky's 1994 plan to create healthcare Nirvana caused us to go from 83% insured to 74% insured, this turkey will only hurt matters.
Romney's Defense of Health Plan
I'm going to Louisville today to hear Mitt Romney talk about his Massachusetts health plan.
It is an alternative to the single-payer government plan pushed by some. I call it a multi-payer government plan as it winds up using government money to buy health policies for everyone who "can't" afford it. As soon as government realizes it can save money by becoming the insurance company, then you have arrived at single-payer.
Wouldn't it be simpler and more in keeping with American principles to remove government impediments to health care transactions?
Anyway, it is an important debate that isn't going away any time soon.
It is an alternative to the single-payer government plan pushed by some. I call it a multi-payer government plan as it winds up using government money to buy health policies for everyone who "can't" afford it. As soon as government realizes it can save money by becoming the insurance company, then you have arrived at single-payer.
Wouldn't it be simpler and more in keeping with American principles to remove government impediments to health care transactions?
Anyway, it is an important debate that isn't going away any time soon.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Spanking Fletcher On CON
There is no justification for allowing the Certificate of Need process to artificially inflate medical expenses.
Dr. Kevin T. Kavanaugh of Somerset nails it.
Dr. Kevin T. Kavanaugh of Somerset nails it.
Rangel(D-NY): Baby Needs Concrete Shoes
Missed from the weekend was Charlie Rangel's on-the-House-floor reaction to the combo Minimum Wage/Estate Tax vote:
"It's almost like taking a child and talking about 'I want so badly to increase the minimum wage for them' and then you put these concrete shoes on them and you throw them into the ocean alone and not being able to swim. If you care about poor folks, act like it!"
"It's almost like taking a child and talking about 'I want so badly to increase the minimum wage for them' and then you put these concrete shoes on them and you throw them into the ocean alone and not being able to swim. If you care about poor folks, act like it!"
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