For Immediate release
August 8, 2000
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront or Mark Pfeiffer (502) 564-2611

Governor Patton Wants Legislature to Consider Universal Garbage Collection and Recycling in 2001 Session

Frankfort, Ky. – Addressing the Synergy 2000 Environmental Conference Tuesday in Frankfort, Governor Paul Patton announced plans to ask legislators to consider a statewide universal garbage collection and recycling program in 2001.

“We had a good debate on the issue and learned some things when we proposed this program in the 2000 session but I was AWOL,” Patton told the group of environmentalists and County officials.  “Even though I gave you vocal support at that time, I didn’t give you Paul Patton’s full support, but I’m here to commit to you today that I will take that kind of approach this time around and I don’t intend to wait until 2002.”

The governor said he will either add the proposal to his call for a special session on workers compensation in February 2001, or if the constitutional amendment allowing annual legislative sessions passes this fall, Patton will promote the initiative in that 30- day session.

Patton directed Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet Secretary Jim Bickford to “start from ground zero” and start today working on a proposal that includes input from the public, county officials, environmentalists, and legislators.

The governor set the general parameters saying,  “This comprehensive program to clean up Kentucky and keep it clean must include four elements, universal garbage collection service, recycling, clean up of existing dumps and litter, and an education program.”

The governor gave Secretary Bickford until December 1^st to come up with a proposal, giving time to work with lawmakers before they meet in a special or regular session in January or February.

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