FRANKFORT — Gov. Paul Patton proposed mandatory curbside garbage pickup at every home in the state Thursday in hopes of breaking some Kentuckians' habit of dumping everything from rusty appliances to kitchen garbage in the hills and hollows.

Gov. Paul Patton illustrates his campaign against illegal dumping with photos of trash heaps Thursday. His news conference was held near another such site in Frankfort. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

        Under the proposed legislation, each county would decide how to provide trash pickup. Homeowners and businesses would pay the cost, which Mr. Patton said averages $10.58 per month where service is already available.

        “We're already spending taxpayer dollars to clean up other people's trash. We just need to get everybody to pay for their own,” said James Bickford, secretary of the state Natural Resources Cabinet.

        Each county is supposed to provide a way for people to dispose of garbage, but in many communities, that consists of nothing more than a centrally located Dumpster. The result, according to the state, is about 3,000 illegal dumps.

        Another Democrat, House Majority Floor Leader Greg Stumbo, proposed his own plan on Wednesday, which includes a half-cent fee on fast-food cups and other containers.

        Political opposition to any tax, fee or deposit is stiff. Senate President David Williams, a Republican, has already declared any proposals that raise money dead for this session.

        Mr. Patton has previously backed mandatory curbside pickup and bottle deposits, but the measures failed, partly because some legislators said residents statewide should not have to pay for eastern Kentucky's problems.
       
       

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