Interview with Bert T. Combs

Partial Transcript: The first one I’d ask you to recall if you might about its development, your interest and so forth is the matter of education.

Segment Synopsis: Combs discusses the sales tax and how it funded improvements in education, roads, and tourism.

Keywords: Bluegrass Parkway; Mountain Parkway

Subjects: Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991 Education--Kentucky--Finance Roads--Construction Sales tax--Law and legislation State parks Toll roads Tourism

Partial Transcript: We needed money for the state park system.

Segment Synopsis: Combs discusses how state parks were funded. He says that he did not want people to feel like they were “roughing it” when they came.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Kentucky parks; Kentucky state parks

Subjects: Governors--Kentucky State parks

Partial Transcript: Wilson had a particular interest in the program to get new industries.

Segment Synopsis: Combs says that they built small airports across the state to try to get new businesses in.

Keywords: Airports; Kentucky industry; Wyatt, Wilson

Subjects: Eminent domain Tourism

Partial Transcript: In 1959, right after you were inaugurated, you called a special session in the legislature.

Segment Synopsis: Combs explains why he called several special sessions. He says he did it to fulfill campaign promises.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Constitutional revision

Subjects: Campaign promises Governors- Kentucky Roads--Construction State parks

Partial Transcript: You also pledged and were quite staunch in your endorsement for a statutory merit system.

Segment Synopsis: Combs talks about the merit system that he put in place.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Merit system; Wyatt, Wilson

Subjects: Campaign promises Kentucky--Politics and government