The federal earned income tax credit is nothing new, but Gov. Steve Beshear has launched a campaign urging low- and middle-income Kentuckians to apply for the federal tax benefit. While thousands of Kentuckians have been taking advantage of the federal tax break for years, there is a perception that many who could receive the tax break do not apply for it because they do not think they are eligible.
The Beshear administration has a Web site — www.assistance.ky.gov — that is designed to help Kentuckians receive the tax breaks for which they are eligible. For example, many middle-income families do not realize that they may qualify for a federal earned income tax credit and, because of that, do not apply for it. But — depending on the size of their family — workers who earn up to $41,000 may be eligible for credits as high as $4,824, the governor said.
Kentucky has a vested interest in assuring that every Kentucky resident receives all the federal tax benefits for which he or she is eligible. Each benefit claimed will increase the amount of refund they receive from Uncle Sam, and the higher their refund, the more they are likely to spend in retail shops in the state. That, in turn, will generate more sales tax revenue for a state government that needs more revenue to balance its budget. Much like the federal stimulus money taxpayers received in 2007 was intended to do, tax refunds can boost the economy in the state.
Also available on www.assistance.ky.gov are a list of places where Kentuckians can receive free assistance from volunteers in filling out their state and federal tax forms. There is at least one location in every area county except Elliott.
Editorials
Are you eligible — 01/09109
Governor encourages more to apply for federal tax credit
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Focus on music
There will be no new trophies for winning marching band competitions for the Boyd County High School band. Nor will band members be spending as many summer days in the hot sun in band camp and autumn Saturdays taking long bus drives to compete in band festivals in distant communities.
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Memorial Day
Unlike our other wars, the American people were never asked to sacrifice for the war in Iraq and the one still ongoing in Afghanistan. They have been wars fought by an all-voluntary military and by the “weekend soldiers” in the National Guard and in the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve
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Still more cuts
If you believe the cuts mandated by the two-year state budget that will take effect July 1 will have little impact on services, consider this.
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Earmarks again?
Immediately, following the midterm elections of 2010 which saw Republicans regain control of the House of Representatives and capture seats in the U.S. Senate, Republican leaders in Congress announced they had heard the voice of the voters and vowed to cease using “earmarks,” the name given to appropriations slipped into bills by influential legislators without a vote.
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Best in the nation
It may surprise many readers that Newsweek’s “best high school in America” is located right here in Kentucky and is open to selected students throughout the state, but then the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green is hardly your typical high school. In fact, it would be impossible for even the best public high schools to emulate the amazing success of students at the Gatton Academy.
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After the vote
We offer today a few reflections on the messages voters sent in Tuesday’s primary election in Kentucky.
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A mild winter
As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, long hailed as the unofficial start of the summer vacation season, we pause to reflect upon the winter that wasn’t.
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Devices banned
Emergency breathing devices that tests have proven unreliable are being phased out under a directive issued by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. However, MSHA has given mine operators more than 18 months to remove all the air packs from underground mines.
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A free weekend
In an effort to promote increased recreational use of the two lakes in the Daniel Boone National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service will offer free fishing and boating during the first weekend in June.
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Ho-hum election
Psst! Want to know a secret? There’s a primary election Tuesday. And it’s right here in Kentucky! However, there has been so little interest in this election, that Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, the state’s top election official, is predicting that only betwixen 10 and 12 percent of the state’s eligible voters will take the time to go to the polls tomorrow.
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Focus on music
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