Beech Tree News Network

Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R) made a stop at the Butler County Extension Office Tuesday morning to discuss current state and national issues. Senator Paul touched on issues such as unemployment, economic growth and the growing national deficit, noting the debt clock on the wall of his office. “The government is borrowing about a million dollars every minute and that’s a problem,” he said. Butler County Judge David Fields introduced the Senator to a room of approximately 30 people who gathered in the meeting room of the Butler County Extension Office for the event. “It’s really an honor to have you back in Butler County and we thank you for coming,” he said. “One of the things that has really been important to us has been in the water supply in the Rochester Dam. We really want to thank you for your help in progressing that.” One of Kentucky’s most crippling issues is the growing opioid epidemic which claims the lives of many Kentuckians. Paul said that it is a fight he continues to be a part of in Washington. Following the town hall meeting, Paul discussed his support of recent legislation aimed at fighting the problem, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which passed the senate with bipartisan support last week. “At a time when more Kentuckians now die from drug overdoses than car crashes, it’s clear that more action is needed,” he said. Staff from Rand Paul’s Bowling Green office were in attendance to help members of the community who needed assistance with federal agencies or issues such as Veterans Administration (VA), Social Security, IRS, Passports, U.S. Department of Education, Military records or medals. Over the last month, Sen. Paul has held 32 town halls across Kentucky, and thousands of Kentuckians have come out to discuss the issues facing both the Commonwealth and the nation. Between today and tomorrow, Paul will host nine town hall meetings across western Kentucky.