Several takes on the impact of the stimulus package on the states

Stateline.org this week has been asking various officials their thoughts on how much the federal economic stimulus package signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama will impact the economy on the state level. 
Today, the site turned to the head of the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and an official with the [...]

Senate passes increase in alcohol, tobacco taxes

The Senate this morning passed House Bill 144, which would increase the state’s alcohol and tobacco taxes, by a vote of 24 to 12. 
The bill’s passage relied heavily on Democratic support for its passage, with half of the “yes” votes coming from the minority party in the chamber. 
Nine Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tempore Katie [...]

Senate vote on tax, budget bills coming this morning

The Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses are now meeting in preparation for the debate over a plan to raise the Kentucky’s alcohol and tobacco taxes to help balance the state budget this fiscal year. 
The bill outlining the tax increases – House Bill 144 – narrowly passed the Senate A&R Committee Thursday morning and only after [...]

Roll call for vote on tax bill

Stephenie Steitzer with the Courier-Journal has the breakdown of how House lawmakers voted Wednesday on House Bill 144, the measure that would raise the state’s tobacco and alcohol taxes. 
Here’s how the local delegation voted - 
For
Rep. John Arnold Jr., D – Sturgis
Rep. Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro
Rep. Jim Gooch, D-Providence
Rep. Tommy Thompson, D-Philpot
Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville
Against
Rep. Dwight Butler, [...]

House passes tax package 66 to 34, budget plan 77 to 23

The House of Representatives has just voted 66 to 34 to approve House Bill 144 which will double the state’s tobacco taxes and make alcoholic beverage purchases subject to the state’s sales tax. 
The debate that lasted more than an hour had opponents citing the potential impact of the tax increases on Kentucky’s businesses while supporters [...]

Close to close House vote on budget plan

With beer and bourbon trucks circling the Capitol, the House convened just minutes ago and is expected to bring to a vote two bills to close a $456 million gap in the state’s budget this year. 
Lawmakers are saying the vote will be close, with some of the chamber’s 65 Democrats expected to vote against the [...]

The Frankfort Bourbon Party

Meant to mimic the Boston Tea Party, representatives of the state’s bourbon distilleries poured out bottles of bourbon in front of the state Capitol this afternoon. 
The display was part of a rally in the rotunda to protest a bill moving swiftly through the General Assembly that would make alcoholic beverage purchases no longer exempt from [...]

Budget, tax bills pass committee

Amid calls for broader tax reform, members of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee passed two bills this morning that would bring about $150 million in state budget cuts, use up to $219 million of the state’s “rainy day” budget fund and raise alcohol and tobacco taxes to help offset an anticipated budget shortfall this [...]

State general fund, road fund revenues fell in January

State general fund revenues fell 4 percent – about $30 million – in January compared to the same month last year, the state Office of State Budget Director reported Monday. 
Overall, the state has seen a 1.1 percent increase in general fund revenues since the fiscal year started July 1. 
The state’s road fund took a harder [...]

Budget shortfall plan to include 30-cent cigarette tax increase, sales tax on alcohol

Legislative leaders are floating a plan combining increases in the state’s alcohol and tobacco tax rates to help balance the state’s budget this fiscal year. 
House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Monday that legislative leaders were looking at a 30-cent per pack increase in the state’s cigarette tax and making alcoholic beverages subject to the state’s sales [...]