Friday, February 04, 2000
N.Ky. legislator backs high-tech jobs plan
$53M package aimed at e-business
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FRANKFORT — The Northern Kentucky lawmaker who chairs the state Senate's economic development com mittee has embraced a $53 million plan by Gov. Paul Patton to create more high-tech jobs in the state.
Sen. Katie Stine, R-Fort Thomas, said Thursday she was pleased the governor is making a commitment to attracting Inter net companies and jobs to Kentucky.
The details of Mr. Patton's push for a “knowledge-based economy” were included in the budget presented last week, but he gathered legislators, educators and others Thursday to promote the package.
It includes:
• A $20 million grant program for projects that create high-tech jobs.
• A $20 million loan program directed at technology and research industries.
• $4.25 million to encourage the commercial use of research work.
• Other money for training, research and creating a new bureaucratic organization to recruit companies in the field.
Since taking over chairmanship of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee at the start of the legislative session in early January, Mrs. Stine has held hearings to gain informa tion on creating technology-
related jobs in the state.
“My main goal is to promote Kentucky to industries across the country while encouraging and supporting the growth of those already in our state,” Mrs. Stine said after
Mr. Patton's Thursday announcement.
“I've met with Economic Development Cabinet officials and encouraged the (Patton) administration to embrace many of the initiatives released today,” she said.
Mrs. Stine's support of at least some components of Mr. Patton's overall budget package could help it win passage in the GOP-controlled Senate.
Mr. Patton said he understands that legislators are not embracing the budget yet. Part of that, he said, was that he has not given as much information to legislators as in the past.
Mr. Patton tried Thursday to put a positive spin on what has been a fairly underwhelming response to his budget from legislators generally.
“The great thing that I am thankful for is that no one in either party, in either house, to my knowledge has rejected our proposal, and that's all I ask,” Mr. Patton said.
Mrs. Stine and House Speaker Jody Richards have agreed to sponsor legislation that would create parts of the technology program, which Patton repeated Thursday is an integral part of his total budget.
“It's all pretty tightly woven,” Mr. Patton said. “One thread might unravel the whole thing.”
“I will continue to work with the governor in order to advance this initiative and other measures that will stimulate a knowledge-based economy in our state,” Mrs. Stine said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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