Rotary Program: 4/20/05

Program Chairperson: Jerry Kanney

Speaker: Howard Cornette, State Representative, 94th District

Howard Cornette is from Whitesburg, Ky., and is now serving his fourth term representing the areas of Pike, Letcher and Harlan Counties in the State Legislature, where he serves on the Natural Resources, Tourism, Energy and Transportation committees. He is a former businessman, operating WDXC Radio for fifteen years and is a former Rotarian in the Whitesburg club. He and his wife Jackie have three sons, Mark, Mike and Cody.

Howard characterized this short session of the legislature as one of the busiest yet, passing a budget, as well as tax modernization and 300 other bills signed by the governor. He also commented that this was one of the most bipartisan sessions which accounted for over $ 20 Million in coal severance projects passed for our district. Those bills included $ 10 Million for water and sewer projects, $ 3 Million for funding for the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine, adequate funds to maintain fire departments in the area and new funding for parks and recreation facilities. Howard said that one of the highest priorities during his tenure, like so many of his predecessors, was to obtain funding for US 119 from Whitesburg to Harlan across Pine Mountain, which was one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in the state. The project to widen the road began with $ 4 Million in a design and build phase. Then Congressman Hal Rogers helped get some federal money which totaled $ 9.1 Million and Governor Paul Patton was able to get an additional $22 Million during his last administration. Finally, Governor Fletcher helped get the last $ 20 Million to finish the project. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held this Friday at 10:00 A.M. and Howard invited all interested citizens to join him, Congressman Rogers, Governor Fletcher and other dignitaries to dedicate the new road. He also commented that much of the success of the last session was due to the help and cooperation of Representative Keith Hall, Senators Ray Jones, Johnny Ray Turner and Daniel Monjairdo.

In a question and answer session, Howard addressed concerns about how to increase the amount of return of the coal severance tax monies to the counties from which the minerals originated. He said this would be a long process and would need the help of all the voters from the eastern part of the state to work diligently with the governor and all the elected officials. He also addressed the need for more funding for secondary and post-secondary education, which has risen in the past few years due to the overwhelming costs of health care for state employees and teachers. Representative Cornette thanked the club for the privilege of speaking to us today and vowed to make himself available to any who may need his services. - JMC