What are they REALLY saying?: Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).

This is continuing our series on the answers to questions posed to the gubernatorial candidates by the Herald-Leader. This week's question asks whether it's fair to impose the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which forces many businesses to pay an "income" tax, even if they are not able to generate a profit. Here's what the candidates are REALLY saying:

Republicans:

Anne Northup: "No, it's not fair. The first, most important thing we need to do is repeal the AM[T] ... ." ANNE WILL REPEAL (ELIMINATE) THE AMT.

Ernie Fletcher: "In 2006, we reduced the AMT by $45 million. We are always looking for ways to lower taxes further." ERNIE IS IN FAVOR OF REDUCING THE AMT.

Billy Harper: "I will work hard ... as a top priority to repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax in Kentucky." BILLY WILL ELIMINATE THE AMT.

Democrats:

Otis Hensley: "I will eliminate the AM[T]. It is a punitive tax, particularly for small businesses." -- OTIS WILL ELIMINATE THE AMT.

Bruce Lunsford: "I’m opposed to income taxes on businesses that are not generating a profit. I believe the AM[T] should be reviewed so that it will not unfairly tax Kentucky businesses." BRUCE WILL ELIMINATE THE AMT FOR BUSINESSES NOT MAKING A PROFIT.

Jonathan Miller: "No, I don’t think that’s fair. ... [R]evise the tax code to provide fairness ... by bas[ing the AMT] on net results." JOHNATHAN WILL REVISE THE AMT TO TAX "NET RESULTS" (PROFITS).

Jody Richards: "I oppose it as unfair to small businesses. ... I don't believe businesses operating in the red should have to pay income tax." JODY WILL ELIMINATE THE UNFAIR AMT FOR BUSINESSES NOT MAKING A PROFIT.

Steve Beshear: "At this time Kentuckians do not need new or higher taxes. [We] need to evaluate the alternative minimum tax ... to measure their fairness and effectiveness." STEVE WANTS TO STUDY IT.

Gatewood Galbraith: The Alternative Minimum [Tax] (AM[T]) is double taxation on corporations and businesses, As Governor, the AM[T] goes out the door. GATEWOOD WILL REPEAL THE AMT.

Steve Henry: Their [Republican} AM[T] has been a horrible burden on Kentucky business, and ... [a]s Governor, I'll fix the AM[T]." STEVE HENRY WILL FIX THE AMT, BUT HE DOESN'T TELL US HOW?

There you have it, in their own words, deciphered!