Kentucky U.S. Democratic Senatorial Candidate Jim Gray is offering suggestions on ways to deal with coal job losses in eastern Kentucky. Gray outlined his proposal during a stop in Pikeville Tuesday.
Jim Gray says the number of coal jobs in eastern Kentucky is at the lowest level in 118 years. But, he says his experience in constructing manufacturing plants across Kentucky indicates new industries can come to Appalachia. Gray says his plan centers on four key points. “Making investments in infrastructure, and then innovation, and third, supporting workers through training and re-training, and then fourth, protecting pensions,” said Gray.
Gray says Pikeville is an example of a community which has undergone significant economic transformation. He says furthering broadband is essential in a competitive economy. Incumbent U.S. Senator Rand Paul has proposed reducing individual and corporate federal taxes to five percent over ten years in high poverty counties.?
