02.09.07
Posted in Government, Governor Fletcher, Kentucky, News Worthy at 5:41 am by Thomas
Governor Fletcher’s State of the Commonwealth Address was some 29 pages long. In the portion dealing with the World Equestrian Games the Governor made some key points but still seems to be not driving home just what these Games will mean for the Commonwealth. He made the point of saying again that after they went to Aachen they realized they had more work to do. Now one thing to keep in mind, the Germans do a suburb job of planning and hosting such events and may be near the best in the world at it. So with Kentucky being next in line, the bar has been set high, but the Germans have clearly shown us the mark we have to beat.
Of course the real point of his remarks was to ask for an additional $38 million to be allocated this year because the concern is that if they wait until the 2008 Legislative Session there will not be enough time to complete everything. That is a legitimate concern, but I think the Governor would of been better served talking about the importance of the Games to the Commonwealth of Kentucky because that is the bigger problem. Which of course explains why a number of Law Makers came out and said there was no way his request would even be heard this year, as they said, this isn’t a budgetary session. More importantly its an election year and the Governor is not likely to get that money because he asked for it in a public forum.
The full speech can be had here.
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02.02.07
Posted in 2010 Games, Government, Governor Fletcher, Kentucky, KyHP Funding, News Worthy at 5:24 pm by Thomas
Governor Fletcher is pushing to get another $38 million to improve road infrastructure in the Kentucky Horse Park as well as to jump start the Newtown Pike improvements plus upgrading the currently planned arenas. This money would come from the $279 million surplus the state has with the expectation that this money would be available this year instead of having to wait to be put in as part of next years State budget. Indications are that the Governor is receiving recommendations to make the Kentucky Horse Park the top notch equestrian facility we know it can be. Even more to our delight the word has been put out that the State would be interested in landing future FEI World Equestrian Games. Now we will not take credit for seeding that idea but we are certainly going to do all we can do to see that goal accomplished.
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12.29.06
Posted in Government, News Worthy at 2:16 pm by Thomas
Not that we can take credit for it, but a week before Christmas, Governor Fletcher named a 35 member commission charged with a number of tasks but a key one is the education of the public on the importance of the games to the state. This of course is one of our principal points for which this Citizen’s Action Group was formed because the success of the games is highly dependent on the support of the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Jim Newberry who is sworn in as mayor this weekend is on this commission and would look to play a major roll in this endeavor. There is some speculation that Mayor-elect Newberry had some direct part in the formation of this commission as he has a great understanding of the impact of these games on Lexington and what is needed for them to be successful. We do look forward to working with Mayor Newberry in making these games the great success that we know they can be for the total benefit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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11.08.06
Posted in Announcement, Government, Lexington, News Worthy at 10:31 am by Thomas
The 2006 elections are over as are the distractions over who we would be working with to make the 2010 Kentucky World Equestrian Games a success. We offer congratulations to Jim Newberry on his win in the Lexington Mayoral race and look forward to working with him.
Mayor Isaac has said she will provide Mayor-Elect Jim Newberry with total support during the transition period which is wonderful news, though we are not surprised by her attitude. Though the Governor’s race won’t be decided for another year and it could prove quite contentious the hope would be that Mayor Newberry would be able to set the direction for what was needed in the way of infrastructure that the outcome of the Governor’s race would not affect all the work that has to be completed in a short time afterwards.
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03.14.06
Posted in Legislation at 9:24 pm by Administrator
House Bill 380 (Kentucky State Budget FY 2007 – FY 2008) finally passed out of the House and to the Senate on March 8th, 2006 and referred to the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee on March 10, 2006.
Included in the budget are the funds for construction at the Kentucky Horse Park. $42,680,000 for the construction of the New Indoor Arena. $27,500,000 for the construction of the Hotel/Conference Center. $1,000,000 was reauthorized for the construction of a Permanent Seating Stadium Jump Area.
Of course until the budget passes the Horse Park Commission will not finalize the plans for these facilities and we have seen no mention when RFPs will be posted.
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01.26.06
Posted in Legislation at 8:36 pm by Administrator
HB 316 (BR 1113) – S. Lee
AN ACT making an appropriation to the Kentucky Horse Park Commission.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Section 1. The General Assembly authorizes a $35,000,000 capital project for the Kentucky Horse Park Commission to construct a new indoor equestrian arena, and appropriates $3,259,000 in fiscal year 2006-2007 and $3,259,000 in fiscal year 2007-2008 for debt service.
Section 2. The General Assembly authorizes a $4,600,000 capital project to resurface, widen, and reseal the existing roads and parking facilities and construct a new service road and a new campground access road at the Kentucky Horse Park, and appropriates $431,000 in fiscal year 2006-2007 and $431,000 in fiscal year 2007-2008 for debt service.
Jan 11-introduced in House
Jan 12-to Appropriations and Revenue (H)
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Posted in Legislation at 8:31 pm by Administrator
HB 223 (BR 1107) – S. Westrom, B. Farmer
AN ACT making an appropriation to the Kentucky Horse Park Commission and declaring an emergency.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Section 1. (1) There is appropriated to the Kentucky Horse Park Commission in fiscal year 2005-2006 $35,000,000 in Bond Funds to construct a new indoor equestrian arena and $4,600,000 in Bond Funds to resurface, widen, and reseal the existing roads and parking facilities and construct a new service road and a new campground access road.
(2) There is appropriated to the Kentucky Horse Park Commission in fiscal year 2005-2006 $1,629,500 from the General Fund for debt service on bonds issued for the indoor arena project described above and $216,000 from the General Fund for debt service on bonds issued for the road renovation and construction project described above.
Section 2. Whereas time is of the essence in facilitating expeditious development of these programs and projects and the administrative mechanisms related thereto during the current fiscal year, an emergency is declared to exist, and this Act shall become effective upon its passage and approval by the Governor.
Jan 4-introduced in House
Jan 5-to Appropriations and Revenue (H)
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01.03.06
Posted in Government, News Worthy at 10:51 pm by Thomas
Though education is what is drawing the initial buzz out of Frankfort to start the new Legislative session that opened today. Kentucky’s hosting of the 2010 World Equestrian Games is getting some press. Our concern however is still that now that we have won the bid those in government have decided the games are a long way in the future and that there are more pressing problems.
Though we understand that sentiment we still believe that the size of this project is going to require steady planning and execution over the next 4 years to be the success we know it can be for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky’s Legislature only meets for 60 day sessions every 2 years (2006,2008,2010) in order to draft the state budget for the most part and that has become an exercise in brinkmanship of the worst kind.
Currently there are no specific bills dealing with the games though Fayette and surrounding counties are readying their lobbying efforts to get State funding for projects that do have relevance to the games as reported in this Lexington Herald article.
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