The Maysville Ledger-Independent was on hand for Sen. Mitch McConnell's recent visit to Maysville.  You can read their entire report here.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky addressed a gathering at the Mason County Cooperative Extension Office Wednesday, discussing many issues affecting not only Kentucky, but the nation as a whole.

Jeff Hall, state director for Farm Services introduced the Republican senator.

McConnell opened the presentation with a discussion on the Tobacco Buy-out monies saying, "I had the opportunity to personally draft the Tobacco Buy-out plan. For this area, the buy-out will provide a much needed influx of monies. For Mason County, the plan over its lifetime will amount to over $44 million, Bracken $42 million, Fleming $40 million, Lewis $25 million and Robertson will receive $12 million." 

McConnell continued, "In 1998, I first advocated the buy-out plan and not too many people were fans of it. Later, that view began to change. Now people realize it was a pretty good idea. We have turned it into a free market plan and it's helping Kentucky."

McConnell commented on the latest stage of the new Farm Bill saying it has passed the House and Senate but Congress is still working out the details.

"I would suspect we will probably get a new Farm Bill within a month," McConnell said. "This will mark the fifth Farm Bill that I have been lucky enough to have had a part in during my tenure in the Senate, and I can't think of a more valiant project."

Following his comments on issues facing our area, McConnell broadened his political spectrum, describing other projects and efforts he feels are of utmost importance to all Americans.

McConnell also spoke about the slowing economy.

"In my estimation, and by definition, the American economy is not in a recession," the senator said. "We are certainly feeling an economic slowdown, but not a recession."

"The American economy is so big now, it's hard to find one expert to encompass and comment on the economy as a whole, but even by definition, we are certainly not in a recession," said McConnell. "We are, however, in a housing crisis. This housing crisis is a direct response to the subprime loan problems that have swept across this nation. Whether that will bleed over to the rest of the economy more so than it already has, no one knows."

"I do feel the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates, a direct response to a worsening economic condition in this country. Compounding the Federal Reserve's actions, we just passed a sweeping economic stimulus package in record time equating to 1 percent of this country's GDP (gross domestic product) in hopes of helping our economy stabilize. This package will not only aid Americans at home, but it will loosen credit markets, thus stimulating growth."

McConnell switched gears from the economy to commenting on security issues, referencing the terrorist surveillance program.
 
"Since 9/11, this country has implemented a plan to intercept communications of noncitizens suspected of terroristic activities. Initially, this plan was not known to the public, but once it became common knowledge, the telecom industry became bogged down in lawsuits, hindering the safety of American citizens. The U.S. government is not in the telephone industry and the lawsuits were killing the program. The Senate passed a retroactive immunity package allowing for the continuance of this plan. The House of Representatives, however, well they were busy dissecting Roger Clemons and his importance to national security. They basically dropped the ball and left town without confirming this bill."

McConnell stressed the importance of the Protect America Act.

"This critical national security legislation has wide bipartisan support in the Senate, bipartisan majority support in the House, and will ensure that surveillance of terrorists can continue. The Senate passed it by a 68-29 margin, but the House Democratic leadership refuses to even bring it to a vote -- preferring to let it expire instead. When the House left town without providing the tools we need to keep our country safe, they left our nation at a greater risk of terrorism. It expired last Saturday, at midnight and now I assure you, we are less secure."

"With this act expiring, it prevents us from going up on new targets without first going through an elaborate warrant process," McConnell said. "This has crippled our security within this country. I hope that next week, the House has a differing view on this subject. It's certainly not an accident that we haven't been attacked since 9/11. I feel our terrorist surveillance program and going on the offensive in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan have kept us safe."

Medicare is a critical source of health insurance for millions of America’s seniors. Yet because of demographic changes like the coming retirement of the Baby Boom generation, the program needs to be strengthened so it can continue to serve the needs of older Americans and the disabled.

 

On Friday, the President sent Congress legislation that includes commonsense solutions to address some of the challenges facing Medicare. It includes limits on frivolous medical liability lawsuits - which drive up health care costs and have caused good doctors to limit their medical practices in places like my home state of Kentucky. We should use this opportunity to show the American people we can work together and create a bipartisan solution to secure the future of the Medicare program while implementing reforms that decrease costs and improve coverage.