Opinion – Jason Bailey: Federal funding freezes — a reminder of why budgets matter
Last week’s attempted federal funding freeze caused panic for the many Kentuckians whose lives, jobs and communities rely on those…
Jason Bailey
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Jason Bailey: Win for UPS workers a win for all KY workers; state’s largest employer faces strike threat
Intense contract negotiations between an emboldened Teamsters union and package delivery giant United Parcel Service (UPS) are nearing a July…
Jason Bailey: Regressive Kentucky laws are bringing back the bad old days for the Commonwealth
Addressing the long list of pressing modern challenges facing Kentucky requires a unified effort from all of us. How will…
Jason Bailey: More disasters are coming, and Kentucky must be prepared to face them head-on
The last couple of years have marked a chaotic time in Kentucky with our communities rocked by a pandemic, recession,…
Jason Bailey: It’s time to cancel student debt and recommit to education as a public good
President Biden’s recent statements that he will cancel some student loan debt is hopeful news for the 616,000 Kentuckians who…
Jason Bailey: General Assembly’s proposed ‘shift and shaft’ tax policy no way for Kentucky to prosper
Indications are the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly will consider major changes to the state’s tax system. While big proposals are…
Jason Bailey: Let’s do more than light a candle for the Mayfield Consumer Products employees
Eight people died in the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory when it was hit by a massive tornado last Friday…
Jason Bailey: Record surplus creates opportunity to reinvest in Kentucky during next legislative session
Kentucky lawmakers will have a historic opportunity to begin putting the state back on track for a brighter future next…
Jason Bailey: Expanded Child Tax Credit is landmark victory against child poverty, let’s not let it vanish
This week Kentucky families began benefitting from the most extraordinary policy change to address child poverty in many decades —…
Jason Bailey: This one weird trick will help Kentucky employers find workers
As the economy is beginning to recover, we’re hearing the return of old, discredited claims that people just aren’t willing…
Jason Bailey: American families and jobs plans would provide opportunity for all Kentucky families
In his April 28 address to a Joint Session of Congress, President Biden announced details of his administration’s American Families…
Jason Bailey: General Assembly should strengthen recovery by approving much-needed relief
The 2021 Kentucky General Assembly will reconvene in early February, and the remaining piece of essential business is agreement on…
Jason Bailey: Meager Executive Action is no substitute for real Congressional Aid
Kentucky’s economy is weakening in the face of a resurging pandemic and the end of stimulus aid. Consumer spending is…
Jason Bailey: Kentucky’s senators must agree to adequate federal aid for state to survive recession
A couple months ago, some public officials and corporate lobbyists began eagerly calling for states to reopen rapidly as the…
Jason Bailey: Will the 2020 Budget Session be like watching Groundhog Day? State needs better
Groundhog Day in 2020 is less than a week after Governor-Elect Beshear is due to lay out his budget proposal…
Jason Bailey: Watch out for attack on pensions on legislative session’s final day, March 28
The General Assembly adjourned for the veto period without providing relief from soon-to-spike pension costs to quasi-governmental organizations like regional…
Commentary: The emerging consensus behind reforming Kentucky’s bail system
By David Adkisson Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Jason Bailey Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Kentucky’s skyrocketing incarceration trendlines are…
Jason Bailey: Time for sensible approach to paying pensions in Kentucky with total transparency
The long pension saga of the last year gave rise to the largest mobilization of Kentuckians to the Capitol the…
Jason Bailey: Tax plan is a tax shift with troubling long-term effect of state’s revenues; cuts for wealthy
The General Assembly tax bill Monday is a shift in taxes away from corporations and high income people and over…
Letter to Editor: Jason Bailey says tax plan is big giveaway to wealthy that will harm KY families
The tax plan passed by Congress is nothing more than a massive handout to major corporations and the ultra wealthy…
Jason Bailey: Proposed 401Ks cost most than Kentucky’s existing defined benefit pension plans
The 401k-type defined contribution (DC) plans proposed by PFM in their final report would cost more than Kentucky’s existing defined…
Commentary: Cutting wages would not help Kentucky create a more prosperous economy
By Jason Bailey Special to NKyTribune Legislative leaders say the 2017 Kentucky General Assembly will focus on jobs and the…