State Capitol

Along with pressing issues like State pensions, tax reform, or Medicaid managed care, come some lighter matters at the capital.  The Kentucky Senate is considering a bill to declare Clark County as the birthplace of ‘beer cheese.’  Clark County Senator R.J. Palmer testified to the economics of beer cheese in her community.  “We had six thousand people in Winchester Kentucky for a beer cheese festival.     Six thousand people on Main Street in Winchester. We’ve got time to do these things while we’re here,” said Palmer.

Another attempt at bringing charter schools to Kentucky is making progress in the state Senate.  But, proponents face a bigger challenge in the Kentucky House.  Session after session, Kentucky’s state Senate has endorsed charter schools.  So, it’s not surprising that this winter a charter school bill has cleared the Senate Education Committee. If enacted, charter school would be exempt from many state requirements, with the aim to cut costs and improve education. This year, Senator Mike Wilson is selling the idea such freedom could help schools that persistently perform poorly on achievement tests.

The House passed its version of a state pension overhaul bill Wednesday, along with a proposal to help fund the ailing pension system by expanding the Kentucky Lottery and instant racing at horse racetracks. The funding measure — House Bill 416 — received 52 "yes" votes and 47 "no" votes, falling shy of the 60 votes needed for a revenue-generating bill to become law in this year's 30-workday legislative session. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said Wednesday that the Senate will not accept the bill because it did not get 60 votes.

A bill addressing issues with 2012's pill mill bill has cleared a state Senate committee, less than a day after it cleared the full House. The bill calls off some regulations of the 2012 House Bill 1, which cracked down on prescription pain clinics and abuse. It also exempts hospitals and long term care facilities from pulling KASPER reports every time they prescribe medication.

A bill moving Medicaid managed care late payments to the Department of Insurance's review process has overwhelmingly passed the state House. House Bill 5 passed 99-0 off the floor, after a few technical amendments were added to it. House Speaker Greg Stumbo is the bill sponsor and says his goal is to make sure health care providers start getting paid by Medicaid managed care organizations, which has been a problem since the MCO system was implemented.

Allowing the purchase of alcohol on Election Day is a step closer to reality.  In Kentucky, liquor hasn’t been sold on Election Day since the beginning of prohibition.  Northern Kentucky Senator John Schickel says the measure also allows local voters to restrict alcohol sales.  “It’s my feeling and I think the feeling of the majority of people in the legislature now is that this is a law that’s passed its practical application and it’s small business.  This is a big deal to small business, small tavern owners, small restaurant owners.”

Hoping to prevent the neglect and abuse of elderly patients, lawmakers are working to create a list of qualified caregivers. However, critics say a recent revision will leave the job incomplete.   A measure debated in a state Senate committee sets up what’s known as a ‘clear-to-hire’ list.  It would be an on-line list, open to the public, of workers qualified to care for sick, disabled and elderly adults.  Marsha Hockensmith, who’s with the Kentucky Protection and Advocacy, says it’s a guide, and a comfort, for relatives who need to hire help.

A move to toughen Kentucky’s texting while driving law failed to pass out of committee today.  The bill calls for adding three points to violators’ licenses.  After accumulating 12 points within two years, a driver’s license can be suspended.  The Transportation Committee heard emotional testimony from Wil Craig, who suffered a brain injury as a passenger in a 2008 crash.

The office of constable, which is established by Kentucky’s state constitution, is again under scrutiny.  Earlier attempts to eliminate the office have failed.  However, critics this year are taking a different approach.  Instead of eliminating the office, which carries with it police powers, a constitutional amendment proposed by northern Kentucky Representative Adam Koenig, puts it under county control.

The Kentucky Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposal Monday that would let the state ignore any new federal gun laws. After a lively debate that involved discussion of everything from the Gettysburg Address to a shortage of ammunition, the chamber approved Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Republican Sen. Jared Carpenter of Berea, on a 34-3 vote

State Rep. Sannie Overly has filed a bill that will allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to explore public-private partnerships to help construction projects with big price tags.  The bill doesn't specifically name any projects, but Kentucky currently has multiple instances where the bill could help work start, namely the Brent Spence Bridge in Northern Kentucky and Interstate 69 in western Kentucky.

The Kentucky Senate is expected to vote on legislation focused on blocking any new federal gun control measures.  The measure is sponsored by Madison County Senator Jared Carpenter.  “It does nothing to change any rules or laws that are in effect as of 2013.  If any laws go into effect after January one 2013, then this bill says we will not follow those laws,” said Carpenter.  Lexington Senator Kathy Stein says the proposal over-reaches state legislative authority. 

A plan that fixes Lexington’s underfund police and fire pension fund won approval in a legislative committee today.   Lexington Mayor Jim Gray says general assembly’s approval would cut the pension’s long term costs by 45 percent.  “This is legislation and an agreement that represents three important themes.   One it is affordable for the city.  Two it is sustainable and three is provides a dignified retirement,” said Gray.

Proponents of equality for the gay community filled the floor of the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday afternoon in support of anti-discrimination legislation, saying popular momentum is on their side. The Fairness Coalition, a group of five state rights organizations, hosted the rally. Supporters were there in favor of House Bill 171 and Senate Bill 28, identical proposals that would amend numerous anti-discrimination statutes to include definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Child advocates urged members of a Senate panel Wednesday to find money in Kentucky's cash-strapped budget to reverse cuts to a program that helps poor parents pay for child care. When the spending cuts take effect in April, many parents will lose their jobs, kids will be placed in dangerous child care settings and some rural child care centers could close, advocates told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

Anticipated cuts in state subsidies for child care got the attention of a Senate panel today.    In April, the Beshear Administration says thousands of families will no longer qualify for state assistance with their childcare…eventually effecting over 14-thousand kids. The state doesn’t have the money to maintain those subsidies at current levels.  But instead of cutting child care, Gerry Roll, who directs the Foundation for Appalachia Kentucky, says state officials should closely evaluate funding for early childhood education.

A Fayette County judge will go to Frankfort on Tuesday to tell state lawmakers they should overhaul Kentucky's "outdated" child-support guidelines. Legislation, scheduled for a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, is aimed at updating the guidelines, which reflect child-rearing costs in the 1980s.

With a pair of eastern Kentuckians leading the general assembly, the mountain region has a powerful influence over the state’s legislative agenda.  Besides House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who comes from Prestonsburg, there’s Senate President Robert Stivers, who makes his home in Clay County.   The political power of eastern Kentucky was on display this winter when hundreds of residents gathered at the state capitol for “I Love the Mountain Day.”   Organizing the event was Sue Tallichet, who chairs “Kentuckians For The Commonwealth”.