Catholic Conference of Kentucky Joins
In Support of Governor’s Revenue Recovery
Plan
Frankfort, KY (February
21, 2000) - - The Catholic Conference of Kentucky (CCK) joined with 23 other
human services, education advocates, and social justice organizations today in
support of Governor Paul Patton’s Revenue Recovery Plan.
As presently drafted,
the Governor’s plan increases state spending on social and educational
programs without resorting to an expansion of gambling in Kentucky. CCK has long
opposed any expansion of gambling in the state and commends the Governor for his
willingness to explore other means to raise revenue. CCK recognizes that failure
to pass the Governor’s plan would have devastating impact on programs that
serve the Commonwealth’s marginalized and most vulnerable populations. These
populations include those with disabilities, low income families, youth in early
childhood education, and victims of sexual and domestic abuse.
CCK has long supported
a more progressive, and thereby just, tax structure in Kentucky. As presented,
the Governor’s plan reduces taxes for one million tax payers and makes no
changes for 275,000 tax payers. Presently, the state’s income tax code taxes
low income workers at the first $5,000 dollars of income (one of the highest in
the nation). Governor Patton’s plan moves the state into conformity with the
federal tax code. This proposal alone eliminates taxes for an estimated 190,000
low income tax payers, many of whom are leaving welfare for work. Viewed as a
whole, the Governor’s proposal takes important steps in the right direction
towards broadening the tax structure and creating a more equitable and
progressive tax structure for all citizens in the Commonwealth.
For Catholics, the
fundamental moral measure of any economy is how the poor and vulnerable are
faring. Catholics are to bring the gospel vision to our economic structures
today and thereby transform human lives and our Commonwealth. All of economic
life should recognize the fact that we are all God's children and members of one
human family, called to exercise a clear priority for "the least among
us."
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