BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., hosted a “town hall” meeting at Bowling Green’s La Gala to discuss issues facing the commonwealth prior to Kentucky’s gubernatorial race.
Paul used the occasion to criticize Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s, D-Ky., handling of the state’s economy, saying that his spending has increased prices of living and groceries.
“It isn’t a mystery,” Paul said. “It’s caused by spending the money we don’t have, then the federal reserve prints up the money to buy our debt. So this is new money entered from the Federal Reserve, and that’s what inflation is caused by.”
In contrast, Kentucky’s Office of State Budget reported that 14.6% growth over last year, and said that general funds totaled to $14.7 billion. Which, according to Beshear’s website, is the quote “second-highest revenue surplus ever.” But Paul says financial handouts will hurt the economy.
“It’s a bait and switch, like ‘I’m gonna help out poor people by giving them money,’ but then when you print up, it causes prices to be higher. It isn’t real. It’s an illusion,” Paul said.
According to Conway Data, Bowling Green is one of the nation’s best areas for attracting corporate facility investment. Spectrum News 1 asked him about Bowling Green’s financial success, and the reasons behind it.
“A lot of it is our location,” Paul said. “We’re already of a certain size. We are on the interstate, we have a lot of viable industry.”
Paul then explained that Bowling Green’s success could attract more jobs, which will help retain Kentuckians from leaving the state after college.
Paul also said COVID and vaccine mandates have created a divide between the American people.
“I think it brings out the worst in us, once we think we can tell our fellow man how to live,” Paul said. “I’m part of the ‘leave me alone’ coalition.’ You could be on the right of the left. Just leave me alone. Stay out of my business, I’ll stay out of yours,” he added.
Paul also discussed obesity issues. Saying he wants to introduce a new piece of legislation, that he hopes will bring down food-related deaths.
“I’m going introduce a reform to food stamps,” Paul said. “It won’t pay for sugar and drinks, I don’t think it should be for chips, and I don’t think it should pay for Hostess Ding Dongs.”
When asked about how why he wants to control people’s spending in this context, he said that the government should decide how the money should be spent, since they are the ones providing it.