Former Gov. Carroll tells of budget struggles
By HAWKINS TEAGUE
Staff Writer
In a speech to the Murray Lion's Club last night, former Kentucky Gov. Julian Carroll made it clear that he thinks the state is in terrible shape.
Carroll, a Democrat, served as governor from 1975 to 1979 after three years as lieutenant governor. He was a state representative from 1961 to 1971 and was Speaker of the House from 1968 until he became lieutenant governor. Originally from Paducah, he mentioned at one point in his speech that he had once lived on Olive Street and attended Murray High School. Since 2004, he has represented the Frankfort area in the State Senate's 7th District.
Carroll said he was proud to be in the midst of his 46th year of public service. Speaking in a booming voice, which he maintained throughout his speech at the Murray Woman's Clubhouse, he explained why he had run for Senate after such a long career.
“Because I felt like they needed some gray heads to dig us out of the hole we've gotten into,” he said.
Carroll said the state has been in this hole for the last 12 years because during that time, there has only been one two-year budget that had not exceeded revenue. He said the state had borrowed to pay for its retirement system long before the current national financial crisis. The employee retirements costing the most are teachers and state employees, but the system also includes local government and judicial employees, he said.
For complete story, see today's Ledger & Times
Story created Oct 15, 2008 - 11:22:19 EDT.
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