"Competition in the political process will be very positive for Kentucky"

Kentucky's Senate Majority Leader addresses his party's goals for the legislative session

David L. Williams

A new Republican majority took charge of the Kentucky State Senate this summer, affording the GOP their first-ever majority in the history of the Commonwealth heading into the 2000 General Assembly.

The 20-18 Republican majority means a shift in Senate Leadership, with Republican Floor Leader David L. Williams of Burkesville assuming the role of Senate Majority Floor Leader. In addition, statewide political observers believe that the Senate Republicans also have the power to put Williams in the Senate Presidents' chair once the legislative session begins on January 4.

Williams, 46, brings great breath and depth of political and legislative experience to his new role. He was elected Republican Floor Leader in January 1999 after 12 years service in the Senate and two previous years in the House. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and holds a law degree from the University of Louisville. In addition, Williams is a leader on various committees including the Adult Education Task Force and the Legislative Research Commission.

Starting in the year 2000, there will be a two party system in the Kentucky General Assembly. How will the Republican controlled Senate work with Democrat Governor Paul Patton and how will the legislative process in Kentucky be different?

In the last session of the General Assembly, the Senate operated as a coalition government -- five Democrats and 18 Republicans working together. As the incoming president of the Senate, if I am lucky enough to be elected to that position in January, I believe that I have an established and long -- term, good working relationship with the Democrat members of the Senate and Governor Patton. Governor Patton has promoted many pro-business sort of ideas, and he obviously needs the support of the Republican caucus during his term. I feel very comfortable in our ability to get along with House speaker Jody Richards, the house leadership, the Democrat leadership in the Senate and Governor Patton.

The Republican legislative agenda, for lack of a better word, is "prosperity". Republicans want to preach prosperity in Kentucky and do what we can to make sure the average per capita income of Kentuckians reaches at least the level of surrounding states.

What has Governor Patton's response been to the Republican Party's control of the Senate?

If he were completely candid, Governor Patton was probably relieved that one party had enough unity within its caucus to achieve some cohesiveness. When the Republicans reached a Senate majority of 20, the Governor did not intervene or interfere. He constantly said that he felt it was an internal matter that should be worked out in the Kentucky State Senate; we are very appreciative of that. Immediately before and after conversion of the two Democrat Senators (that increased the Republicans to a majority of 20), I had a conversation with the Governor concerning our working relationship. Before the final decisions were made by our two newest members -- Senators Dan Seum and Bob Leeper, the Governor assured me that we'd have a good working relationship. I take him at his word. We have had a good working relationship since the Republican Party attained the majority status.

Do you envision any other Democratic Senators converting to the Republican Party?

Actually, there are still a couple of members of the Democrat caucus with whom we have had serious conversations concerning switching parties, but I believe that those Democrats will wait to see the results of the November election next year before they make their final decision. If Republicans pick up a couple of Senate seats in the next cycle, which I think that we have good possibility of doing, then there could very well be three more defections. Republicans could increase to the 24 to 25 Senators range. I am very hopeful. This opportunity is very promising. Of course, it all depends upon how Republicans conduct themselves and how effective we prove ourselves to be in the coming session. I have great confidence that we can be effective. We have approached the preparation for the legislative session very seriously; our committee chairs and leadership have conducted a seminar to discuss the problems that will be faced during the transitional period. We are trying to avoid making the mistakes that were made in other states.

What significant changes in legislation that benefit Kentucky taxpayers do you anticipate will be created by more checks and balances in Government?

Republicans have a natural inclination to be rather skeptical of fee or tax increases. If any fee or tax increase is to prevail, a very compelling case will have to be made by the executive branch or any sponsor of legislation along those lines. There will also have to be broad public support expressed. Not only can taxpayers expect that sort of scrutiny on tax increases, but they can also expect Republicans to look at the expenditure side. Republicans are not inclined to think that programs are ineffective because there is not enough money, and that more money solves all problems. Both the administration and forecasters say the next budget is going to be really austere.

This a good time for Republicans to have additional input in the process. We do not have the pride of authorship in many of these existing programs and we will be able to look at them in a very rational and pragmatic manner.

What are the top three priorities of the Republican Party of Kentucky?

Our top priority is to create legislation that will help promote more prosperity in Kentucky and help increase the average per capita income. Republicans favor a continued investment in the human infrastructure by way of making sure that all Kentuckians from pre-school up have an opportunity to receive as much education as they need or want to have. Education is going to be a high priority.

At the same time, there are other infrastructure issues that need to be addressed. Providing adequate water and sanitary sewers for many areas of our state, and making sure that Kentucky has the sort of electronic infrastructure that will allow our state to stay competitive. Kentucky needs to have a plan for for strategic roads -- I-66 and north-south corridors, for example. Kentucky must provide adequate access to growth areas in the state. Those are the types of problems that need to be addressed in a kind of "Jeffersonian attempt" to return the true purpose of government to promoting the economy, the education of the people and public safety. These are basic areas to which Republicans are going to try and return the focus of state government.

How significant is it for Republicans to hold both U.S. Senator seats and five of the six U.S. Representative seats?

Republicans have a very good working relationship with the Kentucky congressional delegation, which not only has financially supported our efforts but also offered very good advice on many issues. Republicans work on everything from constituent services all the way to formulation of policy -- this good working relationship serves the people of Kentucky well.

To give you a small example, last year at my suggestion, U.S. Congressman Ed Whitfield was able to amend the federal budget to make sure that the use of federal and state dollars on a highway project were maximized in Clinton County, Kentucky.

Do you consider Mitch McConnell in his capacity as senior Senator to be the titular head of the Republican Party in Kentucky?

Absolutely. Mitch McConnell is the titular head of the Republican Party in this state and is a man of wisdom and experience. He has tremendous political instincts, I value his personal friendship and his advice very highly.

How much help and leadership does Senator McConnell provide to the Republican Party of Kentucky?

Senator McConnell recently called me at home early in the morning. We talked for 45 minutes. We don't talk everyday and we might not talk every week, but I have no hesitation whatsoever to pick up the phone and call him. He always takes the call. He has no reservation to call me.

We speak frequently. We have the sort of relationship where we have staff to staff contact and other contact frequently -- we are very cordial.

How would you rate Peppy Martin's campaign for Governor?

I would rate it over.

How strong will the Republican's slate of statewide candidates be for the election in 2003?

I am not always the best prognosticator, but Kentucky is poised for the sort of two party competition that exists throughout the rest of the south. People show no fear of changing to the Republican Party in very heavily Democratic areas. The atmosphere is positive. Congressional candidates will be running for re-election around the state. Republicans will have a very strong ticket from top to bottom.

Have you considered being a candidate for Governor?

No, I don't speculate on my own candidacy; other than, I am candidate to be president of the Senate. There are others that might speculate about that, but I think that one of the most important things you can do in life is be satisfied with what your doing and want to do a good job. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be minority leader, majority leader and possibly president of the Senate. It is an opportunity that very few people have. I am going to savor that opportunity and try to do the best job that I can.

How is your campaign for the presidency of the Senate progressing?

I feel like I have the votes to attain that position, but one could always have some sort of intervening factor -- a car wreck or a plane crash. It is usually traditional that the majority party nominates its candidates, and that the minority party (Democrats) will not nominate anyone and I will have their support.

As president of the Senate, does that allow you to make the appointments to committees?

Being president under the Senate's present rules, makes you chairman of the Committee on Committees and it also makes you chairman of the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees are comprised of the leadership of the Senate. Republicans have the president, the president pro tem, the floor leader, the conference chairman and the whip. On the Democratic side, they have the floor leader, the conference chairman and the whip. So Republicans will have five votes and Democrats will have three. All committees will be chaired by Republicans and there will be a one-vote majority on all the committees in favor of the Republicans. The exception is the Education Committee; where we intentionally left a six-six split in order to continue bipartisan cooperation on that committee.

Of the Democrat and Republican candidates for U.S. president, which ones are the frontrunners in Kentucky and who do you anticipate will be nominees from each party?

George W. Bush has a strong early lead in Kentucky and has the support of the establishment. There is some sympathy in personal gratitude toward U.S. Senator John McCain. Other Republican candidates that are out there are just field horses. I thought early on that Al Gore would be a shoe-in for Kentucky, but I see a lot of grass roots support for Bill Bradley in the state. Gore will probably get the support of the Democratic politicians in this state. Now if it comes down to the rank and file, Gore will have a very difficult time in Kentucky.

Will the Reform Party impact the presidential election?

In close elections, five to ten percent could have an impact. I really don't think there is a significant portion of the population out there that identifies themselves as members of the Reform Party. The right candidate could come along. It would appear that most of the people that are aspiring for that nomination seem to be a little on the edge and quirkish.

Will Kentucky get back its seventh congressional district when the 2000 U.S. census is completed?

I don't believe so. However, in the future Kentucky should be able to maintain the seats that it has and there is always the possibly that we could gain one. The tremendous growth in California, Texas and some of the larger states will make if very difficult for Kentucky to attain its seat back.

Taxes in Kentucky are high; do you anticipate any relief in the near future?

I have talked to the Governor and made several comments in public forums around the state that Kentucky is in great need of an overall tax reform session of the General Assembly. Whether during a special session or if the Governor puts it forward in this or the next session, the General Assembly needs to take a close look at recent reports that state government commissioned about tax structure. There are three or four things that you want to review in the state's tax structure. The adequacy and the dependability of the sources of income, the effect on competitiveness and the fairness of the taxation. The reports that have come out indicate that Kentucky may be taxing portions of the economy that are not the real growth segments and that tax policy might be impeding certain development in the state. Any new tax structure should look at what society is going be like in the future, where the growth is and what impact taxes will have on the competitiveness of our state compared to other states.

Would you recommend that young people give serious consideration to politics as a career?

You have to have a particular attitude to be able to withstand the slings and arrows involved in politics, but I believe there is a great need for good, young people to enter the political world. That is the reason that we're sponsoring several internship programs in the coming session of the General Assembly, and we are trying to recruit some of the brightest and the best young people from private and public universities so we can teach them the interworkings of the legislative process. Politics can be very frustrating at times, but it provides a great opportunity to affect the kind of community, state and nation in which you live.

Ed G. Lane is chief executive of Lane Consultants, Inc. and publisher of The Lane Report

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