I wrote yesterday about the city of Lexington subsidizing golf courses, a practice which, fortunately, has been questioned by some on the city council.

Given the budget crunch Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is experiencing, it seems that the  $1 million annual loss from operating these courses could be put to use for more important things…say maybe…fire fighters?

LEX18 is reporting that fire stations in Lexington are experiencing brownouts. The Kentucky Club for Growth had great commentary on this today:

When Lexington’s mayor and city council choose to spend one million dollars to subsidize golf, they are making a simultaneous choice not to spend that one million dollars to keep this fire station open. It is a ridiculous statement of priorities.

I agree completely. Read the rest of Andy Hightower’s post here.

Should the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government subsidize golf?

That is the question council member Jay McChord is asking. Kentucky.com is reporting that at a recent city council work session, McChord was asking difficult questions about whether it is not only feasible for the city to fund public courses at the tune of $3.2 million each year but also if that is the role of government:

We have to make some hard decisions. Government can’t be all things to all people.

Very true. In its effort to be all things to all people, the government could end up being nothing at all.

It is no secret that Lexington has been in a bit of a budget crunch. It is time that questions about the role of government in golf should be addressed.

Why can’t these courses be privately run?