Published: December 19, 2008 11:27 pm      

Davis: Stimulate economy through energy incentives

U.S. representative speaks at Carter Young Republicans gala

GRAYSON — Tax incentives for automobiles and energy-efficiency spending would stimulate the U.S. economy and help put AK Steel back on its feet, U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis said Friday.

Davis said he would seek a $15,000 tax credit for homeowners who install energy-efficient appliances and systems such as heating and cooling.

Speaking at the Christmas Gala of the Carter County Young Republicans and Republican Women’s Club, Davis also called for tax credits for new automobiles.

Incentives for energy-efficiency spending would reduce energy consumption while increasing the demand for products, he said. That in turn would create jobs and boost consumer spending.

He said he would seek to have the credits placed into the upcoming economic stimulus bill.

Tax credits for auto purchases would increase the demand for steel, he said. “Having the demand is what’s going to get the mill going at AK Steel.”

Davis spoke to a bipartisan audience at the gala, which benefited the Meals on Wheels programs in both Grayson and Olive Hill, said Carter County Republican chair Mignon Colley. The event was billed as non-partisan and brought out members of both parties, including most of the elected officials in the county, she said.

Proceeds will keep meals coming to elderly people in the program, said Marvin Gearhart, president of Olive Hill Meals on Wheels. Meals in the program cost about $4 apiece. There is no federal funding for Meals on Wheels and the entire program is volunteer-driven, he said.

“Every $4 we get is a meal,” he said.

Besides their tickets, participants each brought a toy, which the Olive Hill Fire Department will distribute next week to needy families in the county.

The department put together a list of about 30 families and will send Santa Claus on a fire truck to make the deliveries, said assistant chief Jeremy Rodgers.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.