Elizabeth Erwin
Public Relations Manager
Paducah, Ky. — Gov. Matt Bevin and Attorney General Andy Beshear faced off during the first gubernatorial forum on Oct. 3, 2019.
With over 500 people in attendance, the forum was the first of five debates between the two candidates. The forum was hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and lasted one hour, during which the candidates answered several questions relevant to the business community.
College affordability was a major topic of discussion. Noting a 2.8 percent increase in tuition for Murray State students to counteract decreases in state funding, the candidates were asked how they would address these budget cuts.
Beshear answered first, saying he would restore the budget cuts.
“We have priced higher education out of reach of so many Kentuckians,” Beshear said.
He continued his response by discussing how he and his wife are still paying off their own student debt.
“Let’s work together, let’s make sure we fund Murray State,” Beshear said. “Let’s make sure that we fund our community colleges. Let’s give the very best to our kids and not continue spiralling tuition that’s holding them back.”
When it was Bevin’s turn to respond, he brought up several issues he had with Beshear’s response.
“What you didn’t say is where you’re going to pay for this,” Bevin said. “You’re not only going to cut tuition costs, but you’re also going to increase the amount of funding, but there’s no solution for where the money is going to come from.”
Bevin also addressed a previously stated point from Beshear about using tax revenue from the legalization of gambling and medicinal marijuana to create more state funds.
“I’m the only governor in the history of this state… that has ever actually funded the pension system in its entirety,” Bevin said. “We didn’t have to gamble and smoke pot to do it. We did it by making hard decisions.”
Bevin ended his response by saying he would love to see more money for higher education but would only make it a priority to the extent that the state had the money.
The closure of the Briggs & Stratton facility in Murray was also brought up during the forum. The closure will result in the loss of 600 full-time positions from the area. The candidates were asked how they would keep and return similar industries to western Kentucky.
Bevin began by saying the company’s decision to close was not an easy one.
“It came down to a purely numerical decision,” Bevin said. “It wasn’t something that was going to be offset with taxpayer money.”
When discussing how to attract similar industries to the area, Bevin said his commitment to bringing back business was significant.
“As a business owner, I know what it takes to incentivize people to make jobs in a community,” Bevin said.
In response to Bevin, Beshear said Bevin was out of touch with the current state of the economy.
“If western Kentucky isn’t thriving – if far western Kentucky isn’t thriving – I don’t believe Kentucky is thriving,” Beshear said.
Beshear continued his response by discussing the importance of increasing wages and investing in developing industries like agritech.
“We ought to be creating the type of jobs where if you work just one job, and you work a hard week, you ought to be able to raise your family,” Beshear said.
The second showdown between the candidates will be held on Oct. 15 in Lexington. During their closing statements, both candidates said Kentuckians should vote based on values versus party affiliation. The gubernatorial election will be held on Nov. 6.
