Here is an op-ed written by Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore.
Truth is often an early casualty in political battles and the campaign for Kentucky’s open 4th district congressional seat is no exception. As election day nears, some of my fellow Republican candidates are underestimating Republican voters’ ability to do math and, therefore, figure out the truth about their latest line of attack.The issues of the day include the battle to make government smaller and more affordable, lowering taxes and eliminating over-regulation and protecting our individual freedoms. My platform is consistent with that of members of our party’s conservative base. Further, I’ve done all these things successfully for more than a decade as Boone County Judge Executive. Balanced budgets, no tax increases and getting government out of the way of private sector job creation combine to define my record.Candidates usually start a campaign pushing positive messaging and only turn negative when they can’t get traction on the high road. My opponents all boast impressive resumes, but some have let frustration seduce them into attacking me personally and falsely.
They are falling into this trap right now by pushing a misleading narrative around what became known back in 2008 as the “Boone County Parks Tax.”All the facts should tell my opponents this line of attack won’t work, but I think even if I demonstrate the truth to reasonable observers that desperation has set in. My main opponents are about to devote tremendous resources toward talking about this, so voters should be armed with the facts.A diverse community obviously has diverse interests. In Boone County, we have active citizens who enjoy public parks and we have active citizens who oppose government activity in almost any form. In 2008, those constituencies clashed.Elected officials in such communities must be creative in order to balance and properly serve these competing interests. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it is part of the job. My challenge was complex, but the solution I proposed and the way it worked out could provide insight into how I will work in Congress.Additional funds for parks in Boone County meant money would have to come from someplace. After many years of creating balanced county budgets despite increased demands, it was clear a big new project would require money from someplace. In fact, we determined it would take a 2.2% property tax increase to fund new park projects. Not wanting to unnecessarily increase the size of government, I negotiated tax cuts of an equal amount from various other agencies of county government and the fiscal court put the question on the ballot for both sides to make their case to voters.After an in-depth study by ATR, this issue should be placed at rest by any objective observer. Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a taxpayer watchdog group founded during the Reagan Administration to protect taxpayers from politicians surreptitiously raising their taxes. ATR actually pointed out that this effort resulted in a tax cut, since the voters rejected the tax increase but got to keep the tax cuts I negotiated.It’s no wonder my opponents aren’t attacking me with what should truthfully be called the “Boone County Parks Tax Cut.”I’m fortunate to have had a decades-long successful business career and to have been re-elected three times as a chief executive in county government. I’ve been privileged to work with a lot of very talented people and I have learned a lot by adhering to conservative principles.
I wouldn’t be running for Congress if I weren’t confident in my abilities to bring people together.”
