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Gov. Beshear Shares Kentucky Vision at Waterfield Lecture

Governor Steve Beshear spoke at Murray State University last Thursday evening (the 17th) at the invitation of his classmate and longtime friend, Harry Lee Waterfield II. He came as guest speaker at the 32nd Annual Harry Lee Waterfield Distinguished Lecture Series.


Beshear told the audience that his vision for
Kentucky was "clouded by the state's immense difficulties". He said that, while he is an optimist, that he is obligated to point out "obstacles must be removed for the state to move forward". The best examples are here, he said, looking at the college students. "Kentucky cannot afford to lose one of you".

The Governor spoke of the need for "unselfish cooperation", but said there are some who cannot be moved. From his remarks, it became clear that the Legislature, in his eyes, lacked "unselfish cooperation".

He told the crowd that, upon taking office and discovering a budget deficit of 434 million dollars, he eliminated it with governmental belt tightening. Facing the one billion dollar deficit for the next biennium, he advocated putting casino gambling on the ballot and proposed a seventy cent tax increase on cigarette sales. The increased tax on cigarettes was a change of course for him. A combination of revenue raising, health benefits and cost savings in health care convinced him to propose the tax increase.

The Legislature declined to act on either proposal. Governor Beshear blamed those who are convinced that austerity is a virtue in itself. These people would shrink government to inconsequentiality.

Beshear said that rank partisanship dominates in Frankfort and Washington. It often trumps and wins out over good government. This is having a detrimental effect on our state. Kentucky is a poor state with health issues, well below the national average in lifestyle, income and opportunity.

Kentucky is 49th in "economic dynamism". At this rate, he told the crowd, it will take 100 years to reach the average of other states. We are not in a sprint, but in a marathon.

Beshear's vision for Kentucky's future:

· Become a 21st century driver in economic development

· Eliminate dysfunction in the legislative process

· Lessen the strain on future generations

· Give more attention to long term issues - rather than pet projects to get re-elected

· Keep the basic values of environment and family

· Pay more attention to retirees

· Handle the soaring jail population

· Expand recreational opportunities

· Research coal as a renewable resource

· Attract new people to the state by our quality of life

· Double college graduation by 2020

· New ventures through innovation, patents

Beshear concluded his prepared remarks by saying his vision had not changed after the election. He is now more determined.

During the question and answer session, students quizzed him on mountaintop removal and green development. He didn't answer the question on mountaintop removal, but he did say that "everybody wants to be environment friendly, including corporations".

When asked what he would veto from the past session, he said he was still weighing his options. He said he was very disappointed about the lack of support for the universities in the budget and the general lack of support by the Legislature for early childhood development programs.

Beshear concluded by saying that top notch education, good jobs, clean water, air, environment, and family are issues that are matters of consensus.


The series honors Harry Lee Waterfield, (1911-1988), twice Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor, served as Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, and was a newspaper publisher and founder of Kentucky Heritage Life Insurance Company. Waterfield, a native of
Hickman County, was a firm supporter of Murray State University. His son, who runs the successful insurance company based in Frankfort, still keeps ties to the university.

The Governor and Harry Lee Waterfield II go back to their college days at the University of Kentucky. Waterfield joked that his first vote for Beshear was for student body president at UK. Their two families share ties to West Kentucky and to each other. Waterfield wrote to Beshear during the last gubernatorial campaign and asked if he would speak - only if he was elected governor. Beshear accepted the conditional invitation. Below, Waterfield and Gov. Beshear share a moment


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