The Political Bridge

Kentucky State Senate Week in Review for February 12, 2009: Oppurtunities for Our Children and Our Veterans(materials from State Senator Denise Harper Angel)

 

FRANKFORT — Two hallmarks of our Senate in recent years have been our dedication to improving opportunities for both our children and our veterans. We continued on that path of opportunity this week with legislation to give both groups a better chance to improve their own lot in life.

Senate Bill 67 is the latest act of our chamber to motivate high school students to take rigorous coursework that will prepare them for college and beyond. Our current State curriculum allows ample opportunity for students to take electives that appeal to their interests, but it also allows them to get their tough courses out of the way early and coast during their senior year, when they should be preparing themselves for life after high school. SB 67 creates a statewide program to encourage interested students to graduate from high school early, rather than simply biding their time.

Under our plan, students interested in early graduation could finish with 18 courses, rather than the 22 currently required. The number of electives would be reduced, but their core courses would actually increase from 15 to 16, to include two years of a foreign language along with biology, chemistry, and other traditional pre-college courses. To help them prepare for the future, two of their courses would also have to be Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, which can themselves be used for college credit with good scores on the final exams. To further make sure that only students academically ready to take on the rigor of this program take part, a 3.2 GPA and benchmark scores on the ACT math and English sections would be required to graduate early.

To help students get a head start on this program, every school district would offer English I and Algebra I to eighth grade students interested in taking part in the early graduation program, whether by offering them at the middle school itself or by making other arrangements.

The incentives are tremendous for the students. Not only can they pursue college coursework that interests and challenges them, but they can get money to help them pay for college. Every year, the State sends local school districts money based on their number of students. For students graduating early through this program, they could take that State money — around $2500 or so — and apply it toward their first year of tuition at any Kentucky two- or four-year college. In addition, the KEES scholarship money earned by students in their abbreviated high school career would be increased to reflect a four-year career so they are not punished for their accelerated courseload.

Veterans are another group that offer so much potential.  One way our State can utilize their talents and work ethic is to hire them and, in past sessions, we have passed legislation toward that goal. Unfortunately, our repeated efforts to pass additional legislation to provide more hiring assistance have stalled in recent years. Just three weeks ago, I wrote about SB 29, which would give veterans and their family members who qualify for 5-10 preference points on State employment applications a guaranteed interview for the positions they seek. This past week, rather than wait on the House to concur with our legislation, we passed the House’s version, HB 75. Like our own bill, HB 75 also expands and clarifies who is eligible for preference points and interview guarantees. For those cases where more than five people qualify for veterans preference (and we hope veterans and their families take every opportunity to apply), at least five would be guaranteed an interview.

Another boost to veterans is HB 14, which would give veterans who are completely disabled because of their service, three free nights at any State park lodge. This is a win-win for our State. Our veterans can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Commonwealth, and the local economy will benefit from the other money that veterans and their families spend on food, fuel, and other purchases.

I am especially proud that these two veterans’ bills will be the first non-emergency pieces of legislation to cross the Governor’s desk in 2010. They show the high priority we have placed on our veterans and their families.

KY State House of Reps' Week 6 in Review: Educational Reform, Domestic-Violence Legislation and Helping the Unemployed(report from State Rep Reginald Meeks)

An important step forward in the debate surrounding the growing high school dropout rate was made this week.  Our Education committee discussed a compromise bill that included my HB 94, raising the compulsory age of high school attendance to 18 over a number of years.  First Lady Jane Beshear,  Rep. Jeff Greer and I testified that raising the mandatory age; providing targeted resources to school districts;  providing early graduation options;  early intervention strategies, and involving parents, teachers and community support systems are all tools in the toolbox and components of the fix – not silver bullets designed to be the fix.   

Domestic-violence was also on our legislative agenda this week. A bill package designed to beef up protections for dating partners in abusive relationships and expand the list of crimes that can be prosecuted under the state’s domestic-violence laws was approved in committee.  HB 189 will also allow state courts to grant domestic violence restraining orders to dating partners, whether or not the couple is living together, has lived together or has a child together. Currently only partners who meet those criteria are able to seek a DVO against one another.

Increased penalties for drunk drivers who receive a first-time DUI conviction also came before us.  Our Appropriations and Revenue Committee approved a bill requiring offenders to have a breath-sensing “ignition interlock” device installed in their vehicle.  HB 58 will expand the list of factors that trigger higher DUI penalties.  The license plate can be impounded on a first, or subsequent, DUI offense.  Under current law, the courts can impound a DUI offender's plates on second or subsequent offense while their license is suspended and may order an interlock device be installed in their vehicle once their license suspension ends.

A good labor bill, also supported by employers,  passed out of the House with a vote of 97-0.  HB 349 implements recommendations of the Task Force on Unemployment Insurance  and includes a Kentucky solution to the problem of long-term insolvency in the state unemployment insurance trust fund.  The bill avoids increased federal unemployment taxes by adjusting employer contributions and claimant benefit levels to keep Kentucky businesses competitive with those in surrounding states.  It also preserves the unemployment insurance safety net that assures economic security for Kentucky’s working men and women. 

 Kentuckians will find foreclosure relief from final passage of HB 166.  This legislation further regulates debt adjustors from charging borrowers high miscellaneous fees. That practice helped fuel the 2008 economic turndown, cost Kentucky an estimated $158 million and currently puts hundreds of Kentucky households into foreclosure every month.

Kentucky State Senator Harper Angel Files Domestic Violence Legislation to Allow Protective Orders for Dating Partners

 

FRANKFORT – Senator Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, has filed legislation (Senate Bill 109) that would allow dating partners to obtain domestic violence protective orders.

“Domestic violence affects every community across our country,” said Senator Harper Angel. “It crosses all races, social and economic backgrounds, cultures, religions and relationship types. It does not just affect married partners. Unfortunately, we live in a world where dating partners sometimes pose the threat.”

In its past efforts to protect victims of domestic violence, Kentucky led the nation in designing an accessible and understandable entrance to the courthouse to apply for an order of protection. Today, the EPO/DVO system is well established, and is mirrored in the laws of many of our sister states.

“Unfortunately, Kentucky has now fallen behind 39 other states in protecting victims of dating violence,” said Senator Harper Angel.

Current Kentucky law requires victims to have either lived with or had a child with their abusers. If they have only dated, regardless of the degree of physical intimacy involved, the EPO/DVO system is barred to victims. SB 109 opens the door to victims who have been battered and abused by their boyfriend or girlfriend.

The legislation’s definition of a dating relationship zeros in on actual romantic relationships and excludes ordinary work or social interaction: “’Dating relationship’ means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a relationship of a romantic or intimate nature, but does not include a casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization in a business or social context. The existence of a dating relationship shall be determined based on consideration of the length and nature of the relationship and the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.”

Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States, according to the Commission on Domestic Violence. Not all of those victims are married to, live with or have a child with their abusers.

The order does not wrap a victim in a shield of protection, but victim advocates say it does put a halt to some abusers and gives officers more latitude to make an arrest. An arrest can be made without a warrant in such instances as when there is probable cause that a restraining order has been violated.

Reports from the Commission on Domestic Violence indicate that approximately 86 percent of the women who received a protective order state that the abuse either stopped or was greatly reduced.

“This is a serious problem in our country and our state,” said Senator Harper Angel. “We need to take real stringent measures to reduce the statistics of violent crimes against all relationship partners. This legislation at least allows dating partners the same protection as martial partners and family members.

In terms of mechanics, SB 109 does not invent anything new. All of the current procedures for applying for relief, the court process for hearing the case, and the forms of relief available in an order are unchanged. Retraining of court personnel, law enforcement, and social services is minimal. The only change is that persons who are beaten by their boyfriend or girlfriend may now access the system and receive the same police protection.

 “Sadly, dating violence starts at an early age. The 18 to 24-year-old group is where the majority of violence is committed by a boyfriend or girlfriend,” she added.

Furthermore, approximately one in every five females in high school reports being physically/or sexually abused by a dating partner, according to the Commission on Domestic Violence. A study of eighth and ninth graders revealed that 25 percent reported being victims of dating violence.

Senator Harper Angel, who represents the 35th District, has served in the State Senate since 2005. 

-END-

KY State Rep Candidate Kimberly Greenwell(D) Receives Endorsement from the Greater Louisville Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO

 

 For Immediate Release

 

February 9, 2009

 

Contact: Kimberly Greenwell

[email protected]

502-386-7038

Louisville, KY– Kimberly Greenwell, candidate for state representative in the 33^rd House District, is starting the year strong with the endorsement from Greater Louisville Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO.

Greenwell has also received endorsements from United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 502, Teamsters Local 783, Teamsters Local 89, International Union of Operating Engineers 181, and IBEW Local 369

Additional information can be found at www.kimberlygreenwell.com.

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Review of Week 5 of the 2010 Session of the Kentucky House of Representative from State Rep Reginald Meeks

 Rep. Meeks serves on the following committees: Appropriations & Revenue; Education; and Natural Resources  committees.  He is Vice-Chair of Licensing and Occupations; Co-Chair of Program Review committee; and member of the Budget Sub-committee on Post-Secondary Education. He serves on the Board of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center and was its 2009 Board    

House leaders moved ahead with plans to come up with several workable budget scenarios for our Appropriations & Revenue committee to review and choose from as the budget process moved forward. Creating a workable plan under current revenue and spending constraints will admittedly be hard. But we believe it is doable, and that we can come up with ways to let certain state functions move forward despite dwindling state dollars.  Presently, we are looking at a $395 million deficit in 2011 and a $750 million deficit in 2012. 

We passed a number of important measures this week as the complexity of bills being considered continues to mount. The filing deadline has passed, opponents have come out of the woodwork for many of us and the work pace increases.

Much discussion on the House floor was heard as a bill banning text messaging by drivers of all ages and banning cell phone use by drivers under age 18 passed by an 80-16 vote. Violators of House Bill 43 will face a fine between $20 and $100 for each offense beginning in 2011.  The bill requires young violators with driver’s permits or intermediate driver’s licenses to wait an additional six months before applying for their permanent operator’s license.  HB 43 will allow drivers to use cell phones in emergencies; by emergency personnel as part of their official duties; texts to report illegal activity, or texts to summon help in an emergency. 

 

In an impassioned revelation, my legislative brother, Rep. Keith Hall, from the Eastern Kentucky coal fields, shared his opposition to this bill, his preference for less government interference in our lives,  his opposition, that is, until his wife received a cell phone call.  One call.  That was all it took – and Rep. Hall became a staunch supporter of HB 43.  She was driving.  In the time it took her to look down for her cell phone, a driver pulled out in front of her. . .  When Rep. Hall received that cell phone call to come to the scene, finding his wife being prepared for the ambulance, he knew.   Fortunately this was not a fatal accident, but why must one more father, mother, child, sister or brother die because we have not made this preventable tragedy our priority?  It should be and I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill.

 

Kentucky is spending tremendous resources to treat children with severe psychiatric disorders in out of state facilities.  House Bill 231 will create a new level of licensed psychiatric residential treatment facilities for special-needs Kentucky children.  The bill will set requirements for operation of the facilities, which could be located across the Commonwealth by qualifying applications.  Presently, these special-needs children are now being cared for in states as far away as Utah and Texas.

 

HB 133 was also passed.  This prohibits wage discrimination against a person of the opposite sex who is paid less for doing a job of comparable worth!

 

Stay informed of action on bills and meetings this session by checking www.lrc.ky.gov, or call the LRC toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The LRC toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. Connect with me directly at [email protected] or at 502.564.8100.

Pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.

Interlock DUI Laws Clears Key Committee of the Kentucky General Assembly

 

For Immediate Release  

Contact:  Kathy Groob

February 9, 2010    

859-291-9001

[email protected]

Frankfort, KY—Today the Appropriations and Revenue Committee of the House of Representatives voted in favor of House Bill 58, which requires first-time drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device.  Clearing this hurdle, the legislation is now expected to move to the House floor for a vote possibly within the next week.  Representative Dennis Keene, the bill’s sponsor, and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) spokesperson Angela Criswell spoke in favor of the bill

Hou

se Bill 58 will help deter, prevent and curb drunk driving in Kentucky,” said Angela Criswell.  “Requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers is the first step in preventing deaths and injuries due to the 100 percent preventable violent crime of drunk driving

.”

 

Representative Dennis Keene (D-Wilder), the sponsor of House Bill 58, co-sponsors, victims and supporters will rally at the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday February 18, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in support of passage of the DUI legislation in the full House and Senate.  The legislation will require that first-time DUI offenders install an ignition interlock device on their automobile or risk losing their driver’s license.  Twelve states already require interlock devices; Kentucky would become the 13^th state. 

    “On behalf of Kentucky’s families, I am willing to take this bold step forward in preventing drunken driving fatalities,” said Rep. Keene.  “It will hopefully keep offenders from getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and keep children, parents and friends from losing loved ones to avoidable and tragic circumstances.”

Under the legislation, an ignition interlock device shall be imposed on the first offense of driving under the influence.  In 2008, nearly 200 people lost their lives in Kentucky due to drunk drivers.  Over 34,000 were arrested in 2008 for drunk driving in Kentucky.

    According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, more than 500 of Ohio’s worst repeat DUI offenders have moved to border states to avoid the tougher drunk driving laws in Ohio.  254 of those repeat offenders have moved to Kentucky.

    New Mexico passed similar legislation that has led to a 35% drop in drunk driving deaths since its passage.  According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 13,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in 2007. 

“This legislation is a public protection act that will help make our roads safer while saving many lives.  I am very proud to champion this legislation and look forward to the governor signing House Bill 58 into law,” said Rep. Keene.

Representative Dennis Keene nearly lost his daughter in a drunk driving accident in 2002.  She required three subsequent surgeries in order to overcome her injuries.  Keene represents the 67 House District in Campbell County and has deep family roots in Breathitt County in Eastern Kentucky.  He owns a business, Country Living Homes, located in Grant County and is an economic development advisor for Southbank Partners.

Currently seven ignition interlock device manufacturers are approved to do business in Kentucky and upon passage of H.B. 58; more providers are expected to enter the state.

For more information, visit:  www.DennisKeene.com.

Currently 52 Co-sponsors to-date which include the following:

Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark

Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins

Majority Caucus Chair Robert Damron

Representative Royce Adams

Representative John Arnold

Representative Thomas Burch

Representative Dwight Butler

Representative John Carney

Representative Mike Cherry

Representative Leslie Combs

Representative James Comer

Representative Wil Coursey

Representative Ron Crimm

Representative Myron Dossett

Representative Ted Edmonds

Representative C.B. Embry

Representative Tim Firkins

Representative Danny Ford

Representative Jim Glenn

Representative Jim Gooch

Representative Derrick Graham

Representative Jeff Greer

Representative Keith Hall

Representative Mike Harmon

Representative Richard Henderson

Representative Melvin Henley

Representative Charlie Hoffman

Representative Dennis Horlander

Representative Thomas Kerr

Representative Martha Jane King

Representative Adam Koenig

Representative Jimmie Lee

Representative Thomas McKee

Representative Charles Miller

Representative Rick Nelson

Representative Marie Rader

Representative Rick Rand

Representative Jody Richards

Representative Carl Rollins

Representative Sal Santoro

Representative Charles Siler

Representative Dottie Sims

Representative Kevin Sinnette

Representative Ancel Smith

Representative Fitz Steele

Representative Kent Stevens

Representative Jim Stewart

Representative Wilson Stone

Representative Tommy Thompson

Representative David Watkins

Representative Ron Weston

Representative Susan Westrom

 

 

List of Legislation Filed By Kentucky State Senator Denise Harper Angel

 

The following is a list of legislation that I have filed as the primary sponsor:

 

·   SB 10 - Relates to childhood hearing loss.

 

·   SB 11 - Provides smoking cessation treatment for pregnant smokers.

 

·   SB 12 - Upgrades the state's licensing law for psychologist.

 

·   SB 23 - Bans texting while driving.

 

·   SB 24 - Permits the sale of limited alcoholic beverages by the drink at designated state parks.

 

·   SB 71 - Creates a special license plate for recipients of the Silver Star or the Bronze Star Medal of Valor.

 

·   SB 86 - Requires chain restaurants with at least 20 locations nationwide to provide calorie information on menus and menu boards for all standard items.

 

·   SB 109 – Includes dating partners among the class of persons allowed to obtain domestic violence protective orders. 

 

·   SR 9 - Urges the Governor to include funding for Medicaid-approved smoking cessation programs in his 2010-2012 Executive Budget proposal.

 

It is hard to believe we have finished our first month at the Capitol, but the pace is still accelerating. Many more issues will come before us in the weeks and months ahead. Call the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 or visit our web site at www.lrc.ky.gov to stay abreast of our legislative work. You may also contact me at [email protected].

 

Senator Harper Angel represents the 35^th Senate District in Jefferson County.

The Kentucky Senate Week in Review from Senator Denise Harper Angel

Prepared by the Kentucky LRC 

FRANKFORT — While education reform, the biennial budget, and other big-ticket legislation grab headlines, the bulk of the General Assembly’s work comes on a smaller scale through small tweaks to the law that affects Kentuckians each day. This week, we passed several measures that may not end up on your front page, but they will have some impact on thousands of citizens nonetheless.

One such proposal is Senate Bill 19, which would allow pharmacy technicians who volunteer with charity groups to provide free or low-cost drugs to have their annual registration fee waived. It is only $25, but it is a powerful message to retirees and others who maintain their registration just to help the less fortunate. These charities, some of which write 20,000 prescriptions or more each year, depend on pharmacy technicians to make sure the medication is distributed in a timely manner, and with more Kentuckians in the grip of this recession, we need as many of them as we can.

Another commonsense measure, SB 47, will allow local jails to charge a co-pay to state prisoners who require medical care. One of the fastest-growing expenses for our correctional facilities is medical costs, and more state prisoners are being kept in county jails as the population increases. This legislation will allow counties to make a small dent in the growth of their jail budgets. Although inmates who cannot afford to pay would not go without care, the jails could use inmate’s accounts, which they can add to through work details and other methods, to cover those co-pays.

Many times, Kentucky businesses bidding for work in other states face a major roadblock because in-state contractors get a legal preference. SB 45 would level the playing field, by penalizing out-of-state businesses who seek contracts in Kentucky by the same amount they penalize Kentucky contractors in their state. For example, if New York contractors get a 5 percent “hometown discount” when bidding for work in Buffalo, they would face the same 5 percent penalty on work they bid for in Bowling Green. Effectively, this helps give Kentucky bidders a fair shake throughout their contracting business and keeps our economy more vibrant.

A second bill aimed at protecting domestic jobs is SB 54. Many businesses require their employees to buy particular work uniforms, safety goggles, and other items. Some even specify a certain manufacturer, which may produce their goods overseas even though like goods are manufactured here in the United States. SB 54 would prohibit public employers from requiring overseas equipment or clothing unless those goods are not produced in the USA at a competitive price. In this global marketplace, and in this economy, we must take care of our own, and SB 54 is another way to do that.

Report of the Kentucky Poverty Task Force; Issued December, 2009 from Rep. Reginald Meeks, Member

 

One of the most persistent issues facing the Commonwealth is that of poverty.  Many questions have been raised from the work of the Kentucky Poverty Task Force:  how do we acknowledge and recognize poverty as it manifests itself in different communities across the state; what safeguards are in place to help Kentucky families break the cycle of poverty; and how do we realize the policy decisions needed to adequately respond to the many ways poverty impacts each of us.

Speaker Greg Stumbo and House Leadership understood the need for an in-depth study of poverty in the Commonwealth.  I was honored to be asked to serve on this important task force, which included 25 members of the House. We studied, reviewed data and information, and heard testimony throughout the summer and fall on five (5) key areas of impact.  Our purpose was to examine national and regional efforts -- current and emerging -- which might be effective in fighting poverty in Kentucky. The task force was also to report on recommendations for legislative actions.  We met four (4) times in the 2009 Interim to gather information and formulate recommendations.

The key areas of impact we examined included (1) an overview of poverty in the state; defining it and putting it in a national context. We also made several policy recommendations; (2) a look at children in poverty in the state, and programs that are available to these children; we heard from a number of offices and agencies providing services to this vulnerable population; (3) financial literacy and bank financing along with available programs and policy recommendations in these areas; (4) transportation issues in both rural and urban communities and issues related to access to transportation in these areas; and finally (5) addressing the issue of homelessness in the Commonwealth and the related mental health issues accompanying this population; and having a special emphasis on the homeless veteran population in the state.

Please see a copy of our work at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/lrcpubs/rm504.pdf

As always, your feedback is encouraged.

[email protected]

502.564.8100

 

KY GOVERNOR BESHEAR’S BUDGET ADDRESS: INSIGHTPublished by the Office of Representative Reginald K. Meeks

    

The facts as presented by Governor Steve Beshear seem to be clear.   We are facing a $1.5 billion shortfall in Kentucky, the largest ever.  Six (6) times during his Administration this governor has been responsible for having to fill budget shortfalls ranging from $100 million to $1 billion. Working with the General Assembly, he has kept critical areas off the chopping block: education, healthcare, public safety and the jobs of public employees.  Yet, this budget, he says, is responsibly balanced; does not raise taxes; creates jobs; and guides spending for the next 2 years . . . if he gets expanded gaming.   It is a tough call all the way around. 

How does one go about recommending how to balance what to this state is a massive amount of money? According to the governor, there are limited options for addressing this budget crisis and he clearly laid out each option:  (1) make cuts;  (2) depend on additional federal stimulus funds;  (3) a broad-based tax increase; or (4) use revenues and license fees at horse tracks [AKA:  expand gaming].

Governor Beshear also explained what we as a state should expect as consequences of each option. Cuts will lead to mass layoffs and could be as high as 12 percent the first year and 34 percent the second year.  Federal stimulus funds should be used as the state’s contingency planning bank and since they are non-recurring, so IF we get them, he has plans for their use.  A broad tax increase would place an increased burden on the people and businesses we depend on to grow ourselves out of this recession.  Finally, he concludes that Option 4 above is “the only practical option for funding priorities from recurring expenditures” and that these funds from expanded gaming provide a reliable source of revenues. 

What should citizens be watching out for in the coming months?  There is a pragmatic and a political side to the ensuing debate on our fiscal woes you will be hearing.  Senate President David Williams has said in the past that you (citizens) have not felt the pain of nearly eight (8) years of sustained state budget cuts and that the governor’s bet on expanded gaming has stumbled at – no, refused to enter the gate.  Should we find no additional revenues and the governor’s warnings come to fruition, that pain will be all too evident to the Senate President and to all Kentuckians.  This leaves open the question of which of the remaining three options will be the winning ticket. It may be a fifth option will have to be created.

Politically, Governor Beshear seems to have worked himself between a rock and a hard spot.  On one hand, the Senate is clearly not interested in cooperating with him in good faith as a partner to address a real or a perceived budget crisis.   On the other hand, by not bringing in House Leadership on the front end, as his budget was being prepared, and (apparently) not heeding advice regarding the gaming issue the governor has made yet another questionable gambit in the upcoming Gubernatorial Challenge Match.  This one may have exacerbated a problem many perceive to have been caused by his opening move; the selection of a Lieutenant Governor.

The governor has some time to generate movement on the bill he wants.  Now is the time for a mobilized and motivated public to push members of the General Assembly to fall in and support his gaming legislation if they have been adequately sold on the governor’s plan.  We will see if that is what develops over the next week or so.  If not, it may be House Leadership, the Appropriations Committee, and House members facing the prospect of crafting a state budget and creating our own options for meeting this $1.5 billion deficit.