H-L editorial says education is important tool for disrupting poverty cycle

Cycle of poverty
Education cuts stymie state progress

Governors and legislators come and go, state budgets strain under new and old demands, but Kentucky's grinding, intractable poverty remains a constant.

Education is the single most important tool to disrupt that cycle of poverty...

...The best way to increase tax revenue long-term is to increase the wealth of taxpayers. And the best way to do that is by attracting or creating fewer poor ones.

So what to do?

First, the legislature should pass, and Beshear should sign, a law giving public universities the authority to float their own bonds for projects that pay for themselves.

It will save money and allow university administrators to plan more effectively for big projects, like dormitories or the new hospital at the University of Kentucky.

Second, the pork train has got to stop. Practice facilities, roads to nowhere, pet local construction projects, tax giveaways masquerading as incentives, costly questionable change orders -- they all drain money away from education, and Kentucky's hope of future prosperity.

The governor and lawmakers could hand out diplomas (real ones) instead of those silly, fake oversized checks if they need local photo-ops.

Third, admit that tuition hikes -- an inevitable result of severe budget cuts -- are a tax increase. Then consider that higher taxes often drive people to change behavior to avoid the taxes.
Then ask this question: Which will help Kentucky in the long run, taxing cigarettes or students?

This from the Herald-Leader.