Report to the People
By: State Senator Ernie Harris

   This past week I chaired the last joint meeting of the House and Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee before the session begins. We addressed two items that are of great importance to Kentucky families. The first was a report from the Executive Director of the Agricultural Development Board on how Phase I tobacco money was to be disbursed; the second was an update from the Patton Administration on the latest plan for mandatory solid waste removal.

  House Bill 611, from the 2000 session, created the Agriculture Development Board and charged it with distributing $181 million from the Master Settlement Agreement, commonly known as Phase I money. Its task was to ensure that this money would go to communities across the state hardest hit by the loss of tobacco income in such a way to help them transition to other crops or to assist in improving their farm income by other means. The task is difficult, and by and large I believe they have done an adequate job.

  However, one area concerns me deeply. Of the $25 million set aside for bonded money, the Board allocated $15 million to purchase development rights of farms in Fayette County. I am disappointed that more than two-thirds of the money set aside for bond funds will be spent in only one county and only on this one program. This action simply ignores the intent of the General Assembly as expressed in House Bill 611. The reason given by the Executive Director for setting aside $15 million is it will increase tourism in Fayette County. I think it's a far stretch to say increased tourism in Fayette County is going to assist tobacco farmers across the state. In fact, language giving the Agriculture Development Board the ability to purchase development rights was twice taken out of the final version of HB 611.

  What disappoints me more is there appears to be no assurance that a farmer receiving funds from the PDR program has experienced an income loss or even that he raises tobacco, especially since much of the land being threatened by development is composed of horse farms, many of which are owned by corporations or people out of state or from another country. This action shows the Board members have apparently succumbed to the pressure of the Governor, who, as Chairman of the Board, is more intent on pursuing his own political agenda rather than doing what is right for Kentucky's tobacco farm families and communities.

  This board was designed to have legislative oversight to ensure the intent of HB 611 was followed. Every attempt by the Senate to form such a committee was blocked by the House. As a result, this $15 million was grossly misappropriated.

  The second issue related to Governor Patton's plan for mandatory garbage pickup. His proposal does the following: changes the definition of universal collection from making it "available" to every household to "required" by every household, and requires end of driveway or curbside pickup. The Governor estimates this new service will cost approximately $10.50 per month to every resident, which could be added to property taxes if not paid.

  There is no question that Kentucky is a beautiful state that has been soiled in many places by the very few people who are the problem. Make no mistake, this is an important issue; however, I'm not sure the current proposal is the best solution to the problem.

  As always, feel free to contact me on the toll-free legislative message line. The number is 1-800-372-7181. Or you can write me at Capitol Annex Building, Frankfort, 40601. Also, to check the status of bills, please go to the Legislative Research Commission website. The address is www.lrc.state.ky.us.