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KET Gubernatorial Debate

By Gary Pitts/Stu Johnson

Frankfort, KY – Candidates for Kentucky Governor debated last night for the final time prior to the November 8th general election. The debate began with a focus on jobs and the state's tax structure. Senate President and Republican candidate David Williams suggested scrapping the state's corporate and personal income taxes in favor of sales taxes. He points to Tennessee's tax system as a model for Kentucky. But incumbent Governor Steve Beshear says Kentucky's unemployment rate is actually lower than the rate in Tennessee

"If tax structure was the answer to economic development then why is Tennessee's un-employment higher than ours."

Williams says jobs and people have migrated to the Volunteer State, at the expense of Kentucky.

"People have moved there by the tens and hundreds of thousands over the last decade while they have changed their tax structure have right to work have an un-employment insurance plan."

Jobs will no doubt remain a major focus of candidates leading up to the election. Governor Beshear continues to hold a substantial lead in the polls over Williams and Independent candidate Gatewood Galbraith.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.