Cameron touts revenue tax cuts, Medicaid work guidelines for some able-bodied adults in his financial pitch

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Republican Daniel Cameron pledged Wednesday to maintain Kentucky heading in the right direction towards eliminating its particular person revenue tax if he’s elected governor, saying his finances proposals would replicate an overarching purpose of letting employees “keep more of their own money.”

Cameron, the state’s legal professional basic, is attempting to chip away at Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s stewardship of the state’s economic system, a task the governor has constantly made a cornerstone of his case for a second time period. The governor has presided over file excessive financial improvement and file low unemployment, sometimes beginning his weekly press conferences by touting the state’s newest successes. Republicans say the financial improvement good points are because of GOP legislative insurance policies.

Cameron tried to neutralize that benefit of incumbency as he outlined his personal coverage priorities for Kentucky’s economic system if he unseats Beshear within the November election.

“When it comes to our economy, Kentuckians deserve economic leadership that reflects their needs, promotes a culture of work and will address soaring inflation through lowering their taxes,” he mentioned.

Cameron reaffirmed his assist for requiring some able-bodied adults to work in alternate for well being protection via Medicaid. It has emerged as one of many marketing campaign’s starkest coverage variations. Beshear halted an try by the state’s earlier GOP governor, Matt Bevin, to create a Medicaid work requirement that Beshear says would have stripped protection from about 100,000 Kentuckians.

Cameron additionally mentioned he would promote insurance policies that profit households and vowed to assist develop “fatherhood initiatives,” saying there’s “no greater economic advantage than a two-parent household.” He vowed to defend the state’s coal trade, promote rural development and strengthen workforce packages.

At the highest of his financial priorities was maintaining Kentucky on its path towards eliminating particular person revenue taxes. The Republican-led legislature revamped the state’s tax code final 12 months to steadily part out particular person revenue taxes whereas extending the state gross sales tax to extra companies. The revenue tax cuts replicate a push by Republicans to shift to a system extra reliant on taxing consumption as a substitute of manufacturing, an emphasis some economists say hits low-income earners disproportionately arduous.

Cameron mentioned Wednesday that it’s “important to get our income tax rate down to zero as quickly as we possibly can,” saying it could assist appeal to extra individuals to the state. Cameron pledged to work with lawmakers “to make our tax code simple, fair and competitive so that families and Main Street thrive.”

“My first budget and every one I submit as governor will keep Kentucky on the path to eliminating the income tax,” the GOP nominee mentioned. “We will help Kentuckians keep more of their own money.”

The governor vetoed the invoice revamping the tax code, criticizing it for extending the gross sales tax to extra companies. Republican lawmakers overrode his veto. As another, Beshear backed an unsuccessful effort final 12 months to quickly minimize the state gross sales tax fee to take a few of the sting out of rising inflation. This 12 months, the governor signed a invoice that was one other step in phasing out the revenue tax.

In a speech final week, Beshear touted the state’s unprecedented tempo of financial improvement. During his time period, Beshear has introduced greater than 870 new services and enlargement initiatives, leading to non-public sector investments of about $27 billion, in line with the governor’s workplace.

“I have never seen more potential for this state, for all us, for every family and for our kids and our grandkids than I see right now,” Beshear mentioned. “I believe we are in a can’t-miss opportunity, one that we cannot fumble, one where we can leave that great legacy to every generation that comes after us.”

Cameron mentioned the governor’s insurance policies have led to “bloating the welfare state.” One of his first acts as governor could be beginning the method of in search of federal permission to impose a Medicaid work rule for some able-bodied adults, Cameron mentioned. He initially raised the difficulty throughout the GOP main.

Cameron‘s marketing campaign beforehand mentioned his proposal would require affected adults to both work, be enrolled at the least part-time in school or be concerned in job coaching or neighborhood service to remain on Medicaid. It would exclude able-bodied adults who’re “truly vulnerable,” together with these with kids or who’re pregnant, it mentioned. The rule would elevate workforce participation, Cameron mentioned Wednesday.

“Our social safety net should never become a trap,” he mentioned. “Welfare programs should be temporary. And they should only be there to help those in a difficult time.”

Medicaid is a joint federal and state well being care program for poor and disabled individuals. Advocates have mentioned work necessities would develop into yet another hoop for low-income individuals to leap via, and plenty of could possibly be denied protection due to technicalities and difficult new paperwork.

Beshear‘s marketing campaign took intention on the proposal once more Wednesday. Beshear marketing campaign spokesman Alex Floyd mentioned that whereas Beshear has been “one of the best governors for economic development in the history of the commonwealth, Cameron is offering tired, failed ideas.”