Rocky Adkins in 2019 KY Governor's race
On Abortion:
Voted for several anti-abortion bills
Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear picked up a last-minute endorsement from a staunch national abortion rights group in his bid to win the Democratic nomination for governor. The National Association to Repeal Abortion Laws, also known as NARAL,
said they endorsed Beshear in a tight race on the eve of Kentucky's primary election because he represents the best chance to beat Republican Gov. Matt Bevin in November.Said Beshear, "I have consistently stood up to
Matt Bevin when he has tried to undermine and attack women's rights. Others may say they are pro-choice, but I am the only candidate in this race who has done more than just talk when it comes to a woman's right to choose."
Beshear earned the endorsement over former state auditor Adam Edelen, who has said abortion rights are vital in order to ensure equality for women, and House Minority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, who voted for several anti-abortion bills this year.
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader on 2019 Kentucky Gubernatorial race
May 20, 2019
On Abortion:
Pro-life, but follow the law of the land
Q: What will the candidate do to expand or restrict access to reproductive health care?A: Rocky is pro-life, but his primary focus is on giving every Kentucky child the opportunity to go to a good school, have a roof over their head,
and get the education and training they need to have a successful career. He will follow the law of the land when it comes to legislation around this, and any other issue.
Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor's race
May 10, 2019
On Social Security:
No new burdens on people who've paid into pensions
Q: What sacrifices should public employees and taxpayers expect to make to fix the state retirement system?A: Public employees and teachers should not be further burdened with fixing their promised pension; these employees have paid their share into
the system. Teachers have already been contributing more each paycheck since 2010 because of reforms that the legislature passed to strengthen their retiree health insurance. We must keep the 2013 reforms in place and continue to fully fund the ARC.
Teachers do not receive Social Security and they are especially dependent on their pensions. Removing them from a defined benefit plan would also make it tougher to lure the best and brightest to Kentucky classrooms.
We need to also look at closing loopholes in our current tax code. Closing just 10% would generate $1.3 billion to shore up our pension system.
Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor's race
May 10, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Consumption taxes are unfair to lower income people
Q: Do you support Kentucky eliminating the income tax and going to a more consumption-tax based model? A: Rocky and his running mate Stephanie believe that a tax system based solely on consumption taxes is unfair to lower income populations and is
not the answer to a revenue problem. Kentucky must stop balancing its checkbook on the backs of working families. They will look at ways to generate revenue through medical marijuana, hemp, and growing new industries like the aerospace industry.
Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor's race
May 10, 2019
On Education:
Protect public education from private, for-profit schools
We must do all we can to protect the future of public employees, teachers and public education in Kentucky. What happened to teachers and public employees in the last legislative session is inexcusable. We made a promise to teachers, public employees
and first responders, and that is a promise that must be kept.As a former teacher and proud son of a father who taught in the classroom for 39 years, I know the importance of a strong public education system.
Charter school legislation passed in the 2017 legislative session takes money from public education--from teachers and students in those classrooms--and moves it to private, for-profit schools. Charter schools can pick and choose which students they
serve, and they often don't offer programs to assist low-income students. Education is the great equalizer so we must ensure that every student, from our rural towns to our urban centers, receives the highest quality education.
Source: 2019 Kentucky governor campaign website RockyAdkins.com
Dec 31, 2018
On Health Care:
No one should ever have to delay care to pay bills
As a 23-year cancer survivor, I know the importance of high-quality, affordable health care. Early diagnosis and treatment for any disease is paramount to building a healthy state. No Kentuckian should ever have to delay care, or make the
tough decision between purchasing prescription medication or paying their electric bill. We must pass sensible policies that keep Kentucky healthy, while supporting our health care providers.
We should also look at ways we can increase access to health care for our veterans. The men and women who have served our country deserve affordable and timely care.
Lastly, it is imperative to the future of our Commonwealth that we work to curb the opioid epidemic. We must pass sensible legislation that will keep our neighborhoods safe and increase access to treatment programs.
Source: 2019 Kentucky governor campaign website RockyAdkins.com
Dec 31, 2018
On Jobs:
Focus on fair wages for 21st century jobs
Kentucky's economy is changing, and we must be innovative and collaborative so we can bring new opportunities to our state. Aerospace exports brought $11.7 billion to Kentucky in 2017, which was $1 billion more than the previous year.
This means opportunity for Kentuckians. We must work to bring 21st century jobs, like those in the aerospace industry and other high-demand sectors, to our state.
We need to focus on jobs that provide a fair wage and economic growth, not just in our big cities, but also in our rural areas. We also must offer job-training programs and affordable post-secondary education opportunities so people
gain the skills necessary to secure these jobs. Economic development is not an overnight deal; it's a 30-year investment and we must keep that commitment to the people of the Commonwealth.
Source: 2019 Kentucky governor campaign website RockyAdkins.com
Dec 31, 2018
On Technology:
Improve our roads, bridges, water systems, and Internet
We must work to improve our roads and bridges, to invest in our water systems, and to ensure everyone has access to high-speed internet. No Kentuckian should have to go without water because of a failure to maintain our water system. No student should
fall behind in his or her school work because they aren't on equal footing with their peers who have fast and reliable internet service at their fingertips. And rural and urban communities alike should have safe and accessible roads to drive on.
As a legislative leader for the last 15 years and a past chairman of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation, I truly understand the need for every Kentuckian to have access to
these basic services and I have worked to help make that a reality. Investing in our infrastructure not only serves our citizens; it also is the first step in bringing new businesses and industry that grows our economy.
Source: 2019 Kentucky governor campaign website RockyAdkins.com
Dec 31, 2018
On Health Care:
Survived cancer at age 35, with chemo & surgery
Here are [three] things to know about Kentucky state Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, who announced that he is running for governor of Kentucky.- He has hoops credentials Adkins played point guard for Morehead State
University and was captain of the team his junior and senior years. As a senior in 1983, Morehead won the Ohio Valley Conference championship and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Syracuse.
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He is a cancer survivorAt age 35 he was diagnosed with "a very rare tumor in the small intestines." He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He said he's had no signs of any recurrence. "I've been very blessed," he
said. "I'm very healthy. I'm still shooting jump shots."
- He was a schoolteacherAdkins said he taught for one year after graduating from Morehead.
Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor race
Nov 14, 2018
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021