The Rural Democrat

Mongiardo endorsed by the U.M.W.A

Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo picked up a major endorsement from the United Mine Workers of America today. Mongiardo has never wavered on issues like clean coal and cap-and-trade. His chief Democratic opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, is on the record supporting cap-and-trade and when pressured he is against it. So the U.M.W.A sent a clear message today by endorsing Daniel Mongiardo.

“The UMWA knows they can count on me in the U.S. Senate to fight to protect the safety of all coal miners, just as they can count on me to vigorously oppose cap and trade legislation that places a huge new tax on Kentucky coal and significantly increases electric rates for every family, small business and senior living on a fixed income,” Mongiardo said in a statement. Bluegrass Politics

Who Really Has the Advantage In Kentucky? Pro-Coal or Anti-Coal Candidates

With the spread of intolerant ranting in regards to Mongiardo's senate candidacy I figured it would be the perfect time to ask this question; for statewide candidates, is it better to be pro-coal or anti-coal? Well? I personally think anti-coal candidates don't stand a chance in Kentucky.

We can spin the mountaintop removal debate until we are all dizzy but it does not change the facts; men need jobs and coal provides the jobs and main source of cash for the Commonwealth's economy. Local opinion is regards to coal is the...

Excess Coal Severance Tax Will Go to the Counties

Sources tell us that a plan to allocate so called excess coal severance tax funds is dead on the floor. Coal counties promptly protested the move as many of these coal counties rely on their share of coal severance tax. 

Coal probably generated an excess, last year, but with the state of the economy, I seriously doubt there was much of an excess, if any at all. Many in Eastern Kentucky considered the plan as an attack on coal but this little coal war....

Exclusive: Patrick Neely From KEEP Responds to Horse Tax Proposal

I am always open to both sides of the story and I am happy to have received a response from Patrick Neely, Executive Director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, also known as KEEP in regards to comments made by us here about possible horse industry tax loopholes.

Rep. Rick Nelson had proposed the possibility of closing certain loopholes in our tax law pertaining to the horse industry. This issue is a very complex issue.

Neely told The Rural Democrat ....

Rural Democrat Radio: Rep. Rick Nelson Interview

This is the first interview in a special series of interviews with special guest Rep. Rick Nelson. We will running these interviews for the next 4 or 5 days. We figured this was the best way to ensure that everyone has a chance to listen to the entire block of interviews. We talk about the current war on coal, former Vice-President Al Gore, Governor Steve Beshear and Kentucky's budget woes.

Beshear's Plan to Use Coal Severance is Unlikely to Succeed

From the day that Governor Beshear announced that he would attempt to allocate $17.5 million in coal severance tax funds he has been under fire from coal county legislators and local officials.

It seems the issue has become untenable and it may be time to move on and figure out what could work instead. Many Coal County Judge Executives seemed upbeat and positive before a scheduled meeting with Governor Beshear's staff earlier this week, it seems the situation has deteriorated since then. I think a few who attended the meeting may have thought the meeting was scheduled with Governor Beshear, not members of his staff. Thats only my opinion of course. But it seems the mood has darkened since then and that may be why.

The language appears to be growing tougher among the coal county legislators.

Another key opponent is Rep. Rocky Adkins, a Sandy Hook Democrat who is unopposed in seeking re-election next week as House majority leader, the chamber's second-ranking leadership position.

"That's going to be a big sore spot with legislators from coal counties, and I'm opposed to it," Adkins said. "The money that is supposed to come back to coal counties must come back to the coal counties to make progress in resolving the great needs we have." Louisville Courier Journal

It certainly looks like it could be a long cold winter for all as...

Judge Executives Meet with Governor Beshear's Staff over Coal Severance

WYMT is reporting that a number of County Judge Executive's met with members of Governor Beshear's staff yesterday in Prestonsburg. It certainly seems that the Judge Executives, especially coal county Judges, are pounding their.....

Governor Beshear Quites Coal War

Governor Beshear's appearance in Hazard, earlier this week, effectively stopped the brewing coal war in Eastern Kentucky. Hundreds of coal miners and supporters of coal came out to greet Governor Beshear. Governor Beshear pledged his support for coal. I am sure the Governor's support is rooted in his ever present respect for the law.

Judge Executive Joseph Grieshop, Chair of the Kentucky Coal County Coalition, said ...

Coal Miners Turn Out Big For Governor Beshear's Hazard Appearance

Hundreds of coal miners and supporters of coal mining turned out for Governor Beshear's stop in Hazard last night. I did not attend, now I wish I did, but more than one source told me that dozens of coal trucks were on hand to show support for coal in Southeastern Kentucky.

photo by Cris Ritchie| Gov. Steve Beshear outlined his plan

Courtesy of the Hazard Herald

Harlan County Judge Executive Joseph Grieshop told us... 

Governor Beshear Needs to Expect a Big Fight From Coal Counties In Regards to Coal Severance

UPDATE: I have figured out Governor Beshear's plan in regards to his operation to grab so called excess funds from coal severance tax revenue. This is a good old fashion shuck and jive or a wheel and deal operation.

He stressed that "this is not money that has already been appropriated for any particular project. This is excess money that has come in because the coal severance tax is producing more money than was estimated.

But Beshear added that he is "open on that issue" and would welcome legislative input on all aspects of his plan. courtesy Kentucky.com"

"open" is the key word. He is using this money as a carrot to dangle in front of the General Assembly for a higher cigarette tax. You can't blame him, but is this a wise political move seeing that he has already pissed off every single coal county in Kentucky with his EPA protest earlier this month?

Harlan County Judge Executive Joseph Grieshop had some tough words for the Governor today and I think we do have war coming.

"According to Grieshop, the news is especially bad if Beshear plans to reduce single-county funds.

If he is talking single-county monies, which is our project money, there will be war," he said. "If he is talking multi-county money, which has brought us $13 million toward our new high school and various projects, there will be a little less war going on, but concern that we only want it to be temporary to help bridge the state over this problem.courtesy Harlan Daily Enterprise"

Not a good situation at all for Kentucky's coal counties. Hopefully they find a way to work together and figure it out. But I think coal counties should prepare for cold weather.

Governor Beshear outlined a plan to "skim off" a few bucks from coal severance tax revenue that is restricted and earmarked for coal producing counties. Beshear's plan would grab $17.5 million from coal severance tax.

Already Eastern Kentucky legislators are...

Exclusive: Interview with Harlan County Judge Executive Joseph Greishop

I am please to have had an opportunity to interview my good friend, Harlan County Judge Executive Joseph Grieshop today. We talked about a number of things, but the most important subject was; how is Harlan County going to deal with the growing budget crisis. Once upon a time if one was employed by a municipality, county, state, city, one had a sense of job security, unless you live in Whitley County of course.

Q: Judge, how will Harlan County deal with the ever growing budget crisis?......