The Bush-era tax cuts are set to expire December 31st. Under a proposal from the Obama administration, any tax worries you may have should only start at an annual income of $200,000 dollars. However, we’ll hear from an MSU professor what our region can expect from the end of the Bush cuts, today on Front Page P.M. from WKMS News.
(1.) USEC GETS ANOTHER YEAR -- The United States Enrichment Corporation found out this week operations will continue this year at its Paducah plant. Originally USEC had planned to begin shut down operations by the end of May. Many factors prompted the shutdown plans, including declining uranium demand, federal regulations and an end of a power contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Drew Adams speaks to USEC Vice President of Enrichment Operations Steve Penrod about the future of the plant.
2.) NESLER 2-WAY -- With Kentucky’s latest General Assembly session now in the record books, we’ve been speaking with some of the legislators who’ve decided to make it their last one. Among the four retiring western Kentucky lawmakers is 2nd District Representative Fred Nesler. The Mayfield Democrat represents Graves County and part of McCracken, and I spoke with him about the political atmosphere in Frankfort, and how he hopes to stay involved in his region’s political life.
(3.) W.KY TAX HIKES AND TAX CUTS -- On December 31st, the George W. Bush-era tax cuts will expire and new tax hikes will take effect. The combination of the two will send the effective top tax bracket on stock dividends increasing from 15% over 43%. That means a stock that once earned a person $8.50 cents on a $10 dollar dividend will only earn $5.66. Shelly Baskin speaks with Murray State College of Business professor Dr. Larry Gew-in about what this could mean for people with extensive investments in our region.
(4.) HOPKINS CO LIBRARY FUNDING -- The Hopkins County-Madisonville Library has dealt with funding issues for years, especially since structural problems forced a move from their downtown location to the Park Plaza Mall in Madisonville in 2009. Now, they’re moving again to another, smaller, location in the mall to make way for a shoe store. The move has refocused attention on the need for a steady source of library income. Gary Pitts speaks with Hopkins County Judge-Executive Donnie Carroll about what’s going on with the library.
(5.) MONEY IN MANURE -- As tough as it can be for libraries to stay funded, it can be even tougher for farmers to stay afloat. They’re prey to shifting weather and a shifting market. Those challenges might be part of the reason the number of farms in the U.S. has dropped by nearly 3 million in 50 years. That’s according to the United States Department of Agriculture. For those who choose to stay, it sometimes takes a little creativity to make ends meet. Casey Northcutt reports on a pair of Marshall County chicken farmers who have found some extra money in manure.
