The Northern Kentucky Tea PartyNorthern Kentucky
18
May
2013
Let's Take our Rights back from the Libaries!
by Legate Damar
Last month Campbell Circuit Judge Julie Reinhardt Ward ruled that the Campbell County Public Library was wrong to use a law since 1979 that allows it to set a tax rate without a petition from citizens. She finalized her ruling on 5/14/2013 allowing her decision to be heard on appeal. Kenton County Circuit Judge Patricia Summe also ruled last month that the Kenton County Public Library board was improperly setting its tax rate (Campbell, Kenton libraries to file appeals, hope for Supreme Court ruling, 2013).
The lawsuit filed in Circuit Court charged that the Campbell County library had improperly raised taxes since 1979. KRS 173.790 explicitly states that 100 people can petition to have the tax rate placed on the ballot and “put before the electorate,” or the rate can be changed by petition, which requires 51 percent of registered voters in the last general election (Suit filed against Boone library, 2013). The Library argued that a bill HB 44 which passed in 1979 by the Kentucky General Assembly gave library districts the same power to increase taxes just as any other special district, such as fire districts, by allowing them to increase taxes by four percent more than the compensating rate (Tea party wins again, 2013).
12
May
2013
Just Say “No” to the SD1 Rate Increase
by Legate Damar
Sanitation District No.1 (SD1) is the second largest public sewer utility in Kentucky, with ownership and maintenance responsibilities for all of the sanitary sewer systems in Northern Kentucky, with the exception of Florence and Walton. Over the years, SD1 has grown from a small wastewater treatment utility serving the river cities in Campbell and Kenton counties to the second largest wastewater utility in Kentucky, providing the Northern Kentucky region with wastewater and storm water management for over 30 cities within three counties. SD1 is classified as a non-taxing special district because it charges a fee for a service rather than being financed through taxation such as ad valorem taxes.
7
May
2013
Common Core at Kenton Tea
by Garth Kuhnhein
Common Core can be stopped in Kentucky. Wednesday night at the Kenton Tea, Dick Innes who works with the Bluegrass Institute will educate us on Common Core. We will learn what Common Core is and how many states are opting out of Common Core. Indiana is very close to stopping it. Kentucky was promised stimulus money in 2009 if we accepted Common Core. The money never arrived.....maybe the check is in the mail? Other states got stiffed too. The Kentucky Department of Education has stopped scoring for the CCSS aligned high school end of course exams. All this coupled together with pressure from the concerned citizens, gives us a shot at getting out of Common Core. Many legislators are admitting they made a mistake on voting for SB 1 in 2009.
Everyone should call the legislative hot line at 1-800-372-7181 and leave a message for the NKY caucus and Senator Mike Wilson, Senate Education Chairman, to get us out of Common Core. We do not want the federal government educating our children. Read the report here.
What: Kenton Tea/Common Core with Dick Innes and Legislative Update with Representative Diane St. Onge.
Where: PeeWees Restaurant, Crescent Springs
When: 6:00PM, Wednesday, May 7
2
May
2013
Common Core and Take Back Kentucky On May 6th
by Terry Donoghue
On Monday May 6th we have Phyllis Sparks, candidate for Boone County Commissioner, will speak on the Common Core Standards that our children are being taught in school. Phyllis is a long time advocate for public education and a graduate of the Governor's Commonwealth Institute of Parental Leadership. Also Adrienne Gilbert who took over for Norm Davis after his untimely death at Take Back Kentucky will also speak on issues that effect us and what we can do to help. Over the years, Take Back Kentucky has focused on building solid relationships with legislators and educating people on the legislative process and real world of Frankfort politics. Their goal is to reclaim our lost liberties in Kentucky as well as defend against further losses of Constitutional Rights and Liberty. Norm recognized the power of coalitions. While no two groups or individuals will agree on every issue, each maintains its autonomy while working together on those they do agree on. Should be an evening of interesting discussions. Meeting starts at 6 pm at Shakey’s in Florence, KY.
28
Apr
2013
No Taxation without Representation!
by Legate Damar
“No taxation without representation” was a slogan that originated in the 1750’s and 1760’s in colonial America that was one of the primary issues that led to the American Revolution. Colonists were upset that British Parliament was imposing taxes on the colonies, such as the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, without any of the thirteen original colonies having any representation in parliament. Tensions elevated between the colonies and Great Britain and after the “shot heard round the world” the rest is history. After the American Revolution, I’m sure the former colonists believed that it would never be an issue again. The issue unfortunately did come back but this time in the state of Kentucky.