By DANIEL ELLIOTT

Guest columnist

Below is my 2020 Legislative Questionnaire, which I hope you will take a few moments to complete. While I have mailed a few copies to households in our district, I am extremely grateful that the newspaper has made this version available to even more of our friends and neighbors.

As you read these questions, please understand that by asking a question, I am not necessarily endorsing the issue. Instead, the questions are based on pre-filed bills and other proposals floating around Kentucky.

By sharing your opinions on these issues, you will help me better represent you. I hope you will take a few moments and complete this questionnaire. It can be mailed to my Frankfort office at 702 Capital Avenue, Annex Room 329, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601; or emailed to me at daniel.elliott@lrc.ky.gov.

 

1. Which of the following issues do you feel should be the top priority for legislators during the 2020 Session? (please choose one)

__ Health Care

__ Jobs and the Economy

__ K-12 Public Education

__ Roads and Bridges

__ Postsecondary Education

__ Preschool and Early Child Care

__ Other: ______________________________

 

2. Please rank, with 1 being highest, what you feel are priority areas for state spending?

__ Roads and Bridges (Infrastructure)

__ Education

__ Public Pension Liability

__ Public Health Programs (Excluding Medicaid)

__ Public Safety (Law Enforcement)

__ Medicaid

__ Other: ______________________________

 

3. Are you in favor of increasing the state sales tax rate (currently at 6 percent), in order to lower the income tax on individuals and businesses?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Undecided

 

4. Would you support a higher local health tax rate if it raises funds for programs other than the basic health programs required by state government?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Undecided

 

5. Several local governments and business groups have asked the legislature to give local voters the option to approve a temporary local sales tax designated for specific projects. Would you support having the option to vote on a local sales tax to fund specific local projects?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Undecided

 

6. In 2018, the legislature lowered the income tax rate while broadening the sales tax base to include additional services. Do you think we should continue this approach?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Undecided

 

7. How would you describe the condition of roads and bridges in our area?

__ Poor

__ Fair

__ Good

__ Excellent

 

8. Are you in favor of making any handheld use — except in case of emergencies — of a cellular phone while driving illegal?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Undecided

 

9. Would you support increasing the gasoline tax, which must be spent on building and maintaining roads and bridges and other infrastructure?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Undecided

 

I also hope you will feel free to contact me over the next few weeks. I can be reached at home anytime or Daniel.Elliott@lrc.ky.gov. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature’s Home Page at www.legislature.ky.gov.

 

Daniel Elliott is the state representative for Boyle and Casey counties.