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Rep. Taylor Questions Imes on Education Cuts, Race

Rep. Taylor Questions Imes on Education Cuts, Race
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Sep. 28, 2016 | HOPKINSVILLE, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 28, 2016 | 02:30 PM | HOPKINSVILLE, KY
A State Representative from Hopkinsville has challenged a couple of men from across the aisle to sign a pledge opposing the Governor's cuts to higher education.

WKMS reports Democratic 8th District Rep. Jeff Taylor of Hopkinsville challenged Republican opponent Walker Thomas and 5th District Rep. Kenny Imes of Murray to sign the pledge. That came after Thomas challenged Taylor to sign a pledge promising transparency on state lawmaker pensions, which was recently sent to lawmakers by the Bluegrass Institute. 

Taylor said Christian County may have the highest number of students enrolled at Murray State University among western Kentucky counties, and he's concerned for his constituents that send his children to the school. Recent cuts by Bevin impacted Murray State University and other universities across the Commonwealth.

According to WKMS, Taylor said, "When you hear things like you're losing your tennis program and nobody's standing up to fight it, you're just standing idly by and going along with a governor who's taking illegal action, I'm very concerned about that."

Taylor beat Thomas in a special election earlier this year to replace John Tilley, who took a job in the Bevin administration. They are candidates in the November general election for the same seat.

Taylor, who is black, has also asked Imes to explain some comments he made where he referred to Taylor as, "that other guy," when comparing him to Tilley. Taylor said he wants Imes to say if the comment may have included racial overtones, and said they should work together and show each other respect by calling each other by name. 

Imes told WKMS the comment was not racist in nature but would not make give a quote or comment further. He also didn't comment on the challenge to sign the pledge.

Taylor recently filed a discrimination lawsuit against Paducah Economic Development because he applied for a leadership position last year and was not granted an interview. The job was given to William McDowell, a white man who Taylor claims has less experience, according to Taylor's attorney.

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