People dont want additional taxes

I don't know what it means for three area school systems asking for voter endorsement of a "recallable nickel" tax, but last week's ballot results on other issues would not seem to bode well for any measure that would require additional grit from taxpayers.

If I had sewage laying on the surface of my back yard, I might feel a little differently about annexation than the majority of people in a South Campbellsville precinct who had an opportunity to do something about it.

The message is, I think: People are not going to vote extra taxes (or expenses) on themselves.

The City made some compelling arguments for the benefit of services they could provide. But the majority of the folks who would have been affected by annexation rejected those arguments. They chose to live in the County for a reason. One major reason was that they wouldn't have to pay an additional tax. They like their property just the way it is and, quite frankly, did not believe the estimates the City presented for estimated sewer hook-on fees.

In Louisville, a laundry list of heavy hitters from Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich to Denny Crum, endorsed a library tax. But voters overwhelmingly rejected that measure by a 2-1 margin.

Opponents of the Jefferson County library tax plan are saying they will work to see that the library expansion happens, but not the way it was proposed on the ballot. Opponents want the library projects paid for differently than a tax.

If you sense some disconnect between what people are told and what they believe, I think you have a line on what's going on.

It's not necessarily a testament to how our leaders govern, just a national skepticism over what we're told and how things eventually pan out.

So, what does that mean for LaRue, Marion and Green county school systems that have asked for a tax increase that is subject to voter recall?

My guess is that school officials have a big job ahead of them to educate everyone about the necessity for the additional tax. There are a lot of school projects being held in the balance.

Will people vote an additional tax on themselves? Do they believe what they are being told?

The results of those special elections will be known in the next 45-60 days.

* * *

January will usher in at least four years of new leadership in Frankfort. You can say what you want about the last four years, because most people are saying something.

A look at voter tabulations in adjacent counties proves that you don't have to travel far for a different election perspective than you get by looking at the overall totals.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher lost by 180,000 votes statewide, but election totals in Taylor and our five contiguous counties would send the message that Fletcher may not have done such a bad job.

Only Marion and LaRue counties went for Democrat Steve Beshear.

The wedge issue that Fletcher attempted to drive home about casinos never gained much traction. If that question actually appears on a ballot in the near future will be interesting if for no other reason than its contrast for a state that hangs its hat on horse racing.

I've never darkened a casino's door and have bet precious little (and won even less) in my lifetime on horses, but I don't have a problem with folks who enjoy either one.

I think the people of the state ought to be given the opportunity to choose, and that's all Beshear campaigned for - that chance.

The promise of partisanship that Beshear made may get a quick test when legislators meet in 2008.

I say, let the people speak.