FINAL WEEK
This final update of the 2010 Regular Session will be different from previous weekly updates. Generally, I give a perspective on some of the key issues your General Assembly has addressed that particular week and I relate my honest feelings about specific concerns that may have come up in my interaction with constituents or interesting events that have occurred here in Frankfort.
Each of you is astute and you are tuned in to the various local and statewide media outlets that are reporting on what we have done, or not done, this session. That coverage is widespread and I will not waste your time analyzing who said what to whom; or who did or did not do what which caused budget negotiations to break down. Fact is, only the few individuals in the conference room at the time; or those in the room before or after being in the conference room know for sure.
This final update will instead focus on what I have found to be the really fascinating takeaways from this session just ended. I believe we have just witnessed what may rightly be called one of the most fascinating and important legislative sessions of recent decades. This session has, in my opinion, set the stage for events which will play out on the stage of Kentucky and maybe national political history for years to come.
Yes, we were sent here to pass a budget. That we were unable to do so is disappointing, but no real surprise. A goodly number of states have been unable to agree on how to navigate these fiscal seas with changing tides and shifting financial targets; Kentucky is by no means out of step with many states facing unprecedented deficits . . .and Special Sessions.
I want to bring to your attention to three key areas I have found to be fascinating as this session has evolved: the way national political issues are playing themselves out here in our state; the fact that cracks and fault lines are being revealed in some political fixtures and, finally, how the groundwork is being laid for the re-emergence of important, maybe troubling, but always exciting political dynamics throughout the Commonwealth! If you love politics, this is the place to be over the next few years….
National Republican politics and the tremendous response to come one, come all Tea Party invitations have impacted this session more than you know. With the GOP scrambling to prevent further internal hemorrhaging, they see the value added by increasing numbers with folk who have a taste for tea.
An interesting Elephant Wrestlemania match is pending. The main event features the tag-team of JB, RP, DW, and they now seek to introduce their newest team member, “BIG T Party”! They don’t have a team name, but will be going up against the team known throughout the state as “The Established Link”. This team is composed of Big Daddy Mc, Tre’ Baller, and the Elephant, man. Let’s all be sure to watch just how far out in middle of the mat DW goes with BIG T. I hear the Established Link team has also made contract overtures to BIG T Party, so there is a question of Party loyalty, for sure, and no one wants to be bushwhacked by a supposed team member!
After all, there are so many different Tea groups in Kentucky. I am trying to learn if they have a consistent message; a common purpose and plan; a direction they are all moving in together and one they all are in agreement with? I want to know and understand this group, but they seem to be all over the road – and reckless driving is dangerous. Get that corn popped – extra butter please — and put up your feet. This should be fun to watch!
It is the belief of some knowlgeable individuals that Senate President David Williams was never interested in having a budget. No need for one if he, too, has developed a taste for tea and the Tea Baggers are insisting that government is dysfunctional and not being able to pass a budget is proof.
By helping to mobilize and shore up this new political ideology that is to the right of even the state Republican party, Mr. Williams has clearly made his stand against the Republican establishment; perhaps because of the angst he feels for not being the Chosen One for the US Senate seat.
And is there anyone who believes Mr. President might have overplayed his hand this session? Rumor has it that an anthropologist found what might turn out to be backbone material in the Senate Chambers this session. It is unknown just how old this material might be, but it is currently being studied at a confidential UK lab facility. When queried about why Dems in the Senate seemed to follow the leader on the budget, I was advised it is commonly thought that it’s better to go home with a budget. Really? Seems this session they violated their own rule. . .
Governor Beshear has certainly had a bumpy ride this session. Early in the session, he was all but locked out of the process when his budget proposal was DOA. On the final night of the session, he held a press conference, thumbed his nose at the legislature and proclaimed, “I told you so”! See the Gov’s press conference: http://pageonekentucky.com/2010/04/16/governor-unhappy-with-budget-less-session/ .
In reality, the General Assembly had an opportunity this session to place itself in a position of having unprecedented influence in future state budgets. We spoke of this early on in the session. It proved to be an opportunity that has been frittered away. Governor Beshear is right to call us back. The Executive Office has been rehabilitated as it relates to the budget and the office and this governor is, again, a major player. The governor, however, now has a serious challenge. He has to now use the power of the office to bring in the leadership of both chambers and he has to help forge the compromise needed to get a budget. What if he cannot do this? What incentive will there be for Williams to cooperate?
If the House and Senate are truly only apart on our budget proposals by 1%, as we have been told, the Governor is right. ANYONE could likely find a way to reach agreement. However, if individuals in leadership have personal agendas, ego issues, future plans for office or other such factor which is not allowing them to reach agreement, this may prove to be a more difficult problem for the governor to solve. I guess it’s true, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him vote for it. . . or something like that. Continue to pray for Haiti and for the success and protection of President Obama.
WEEK ELEVEN
We are at a critical point in the session and activities over the next few days will reveal answers to key political questions: Will the cordial House – Senate sing-along remain harmonious? What will this budget reveal about the next governor’s race, and will any potentially interested candidates try to use it to their advantage? Can a national party play-book provide winning strategies in the Commonwealth? And how does the Executive branch fare after all is said and done?
On one hand, the Senate has made significant changes to the House version of the budget. These changes could cause the very situations to occur which the House proposal sought to avoid: worker layoffs and furloughs; cuts to educations, and program cuts to human services that Kentucky families depend on. Nevertheless, in actual dollars, the difference between the House and Senate versions of the budget is only about $100 million. One would think that we can easily fight ourselves out of this bag!
One Senate criticism of the House budget, widely hyped in the media, is that it provides a state version of a Jobs Bill. . . and we “know” government cannot create jobs. Only the private sector can do that – right? I’m always fascinated that the very people who assail our government for “Taxing and Spending” to fund water and sewer lines, bridges, roads, schools and a range of needed projects that put people to work making a living wage, these individuals never have a problem trotting over to the other end of the Capitol to get projects in their districts placed in the budget! I’ve never seen one turn down a project.
Will President Williams let political practicality trump party principals, or does he allow his charges to leave and go campaign with little to crow about, and no pork to serve up to constituents back home?
And how is it that Senate Dems overwhelmingly supported this Senate budget anyway? A budget that threatens job layoffs, cuts education, hurts Kentucky’s middle and working class families and jeopardizes our most vulnerable citizens? Maybe they were not paying attention; but if they were paying attention, what were they thinking?
Across the country, state politics are being increasingly influenced – on both sides – by national politics. Maybe the Tea Baggers offer a third option for some. But will national strategies score points on p’ball courts [yes, ‘p’ as in political] in Kentucky? For Dems, some have clearly run away from our federal Administration, much to the chagrin of core party faithful.
Their “Moonwalk Over Kentucky” may have resulted in a string of Democrat defeats and contributed to the inability of the state Party to live up to its registrant potential. If that’s true, one would think Dems would get the message: You can’t out-Repub a Repub! A sharp, focused state Party campaign with a consistent, unabashedly Democrat message about our priorities on delivering services, creating jobs and helping Kentucky families could be the ticket that wins back the hearts and minds of a wayward flock trying to “be like Mike”. Such a campaign would at least provide an outlet for selling our own unique brand of Kentucky Democrat spirits – one that speaks to the people! (Hmm…I hear tale you can hear voices if you get a hold of some bad White Lightening, too!!).
One issue I hear being discussed a good deal is the role of the governor’s office in all this. Called irrelevant, if we do NOT pass a budget, the Governor will be very relevant by calling us back into Special Session to complete the job we were sent here to do. Today, a group of us shared a warning amongst ourselves. Our vision is sometimes shaped by our Frankfort surroundings. We would be wise to remember our constituents back home do not have such limitations. Governor Beshear has been actively traveling the state attending many local functions, some of them complete with oversized checks being delivered for one project or another. He is working to ensure state government is functioning efficiently and that we continue as a state to earn our “business-friendly” wings.
Here’s one issue the Governor could take the lead on. It relates to a hot button topic here inside the Capitol and right in front of his office – the ability of individuals to bring and bear arms to meetings of the House and Senate. The larger issue, of course, is the ability to bring and bear arms inside ANY state owned building. While we legislators carefully monitor reports of the growing number of overt attacks on Congressmen and women, their homes and offices following the Healthcare Reform bill vote, we also note an increase in the number of persons exercising their 2nd Amendment right here in the Capitol. I am particularly aware we must examine the safety of ALL state workers as they go about their daily duties at their workplaces. It has been suggested the Governor could issue an edict to resolve the question. I hope you will follow this development carefully and urge the governor to ACT!
The Budget Conference Committee will meet throughout the weekend. It must complete its work by Sunday afternoon IF we are to keep the established session calendar. That calendar calls for Monday and Tuesday, March 30 and 31, to be Concurrence Days. We’ll be deciding whether to concur with or reject Senate amendments to bills. Then our Veto Days begin and Governor Beshear will be deciding which bills he will veto or sign into law. We then have April 12 and 13 to override any vetoes and SINE DIE – the final day – is on the 13th as well.
That is what the plan is, and what the calendar call for. I know it’s hard to believe, but both the plan and the calendar have been known to change! Stay Tuned.
Haitian Relief is still needed. Visit www.USAID.gov or www.whitehouse.gov or contact the Red Cross and help in any way you see fit.
Stay informed of action on bills and meetings at www.lrc.gov , or call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. I encourage you to connect with me directly at 502.564.8100 or at Reginald.Meeks@lrc.ky.gov. As always, I ask you to pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK TEN
You sent us here to Frankfort and you might have had many ideas about things you’d like for us to do while we are here. However, the one mandate we actually have – the one thing we are required constitutionally to do is to pass the state budget. That’s it. Pass the budget. Sounds simple enough.
The budget debate was high theatre. Not unimportant theatre either. I hope you watched, and if not, I encourage you to access it on the KET website. It will give you a rare, raw look into the brand of Kentucky politics being conducted in your name. I bet some of it will be unfamiliar sounding to you. Maybe it will inspire you to get more involved. Either way, it sure was entertaining!
Everyone agreed we started off in a $1.3 million (give or take a dollar) hole. We agreed the budget proposal received from the First Floor was untenable and that it would be left up to us to work this thing out. Unbeknownst to some of us, this would be the extent of our agreement.
My Good Friend from Danville observed “this started off as being the best budget process ever”. Both sides, he said, were having the same conversation about contracts, Medicaid and funding questions. But when the Democrats came down on the side of putting a new $371 million “tax burden” on Kentucky business; when we borrowed too much and spent too much, the wheels came off the wagon.
The Republican’s steady leader from Jamestown put it more bluntly: “Obama-style policies have come to the floor of the House”. “Tax & Spend. Tax & Spend”. He spoke of having “philosophical differences” with the Democrats and of his minion suffering “political retribution” in this budget. It was a refrain that echoed from the gallery, down to the Rotunda and beyond: “This budget is about politics…!”
Grand Old Party members complained their projects were intentionally removed, delayed or remained unfunded in this budget. Even the Tea Baggers appeared to have their champion piling on with the complaints. This one was accompanied with a warning. The Gentleman from Wayne Co. is leaving the House. We came in together 10 years ago. I understand he’s running for County Judge. We would be wise to listen closely to his words: “Government is the problem; Government is the beast; Government is the burden”. Apparently some can, but others cannot hear the roar. But “It’s coming. It’s coming”. Interesting words. Fear mongering? The voice of political retribution on House members?
Of course, this ol’ mule does have a northbound side we could choose to stare at. Former Budget Chairman Moberly found that more favorable vantage point and chided the other side for taking the Herbert Hoover approach to dealing with the Great Depression: hunker down and do nothing. “Don’t build schools, don’t protect public education, don’t protect the most vulnerable, and don’t put people back to work”. Talk about “philosophical differences”, he said, we have to do something about the state of families in the Commonwealth.
The Lady from Fayette spoke to the hypocrisy of voting against the budget and projects contained therein, while being the first to jump in front of the cameras with big ceremonial checks to hand out to appreciative recipients. The Majority Floor Leader reminded us that unemployment numbers are real people, with families, responsibilities and that numbers in a report cannot tell the story of life when you are out of work.
Both sides talked of block voting; accusing the other and denying their own. Delaying businesses ability to take their Net Operating Loss for 2 years was viewed by some Chamber of Commerce inspired colleagues as being a “new tax”; and a “tax increase”. Budget supporters argued the delay will be of little consequence to those major corporations likely to be impacted by the delay. Besides, companies will have 22 years to take the loss. A move to end Prevailing Wage laws failed. And it went on and on.
The nearly four (4) hours of eloquent, sometimes incendiary, sometimes heartfelt, often scripted, but always politically charged debate was good political theatre! So, just what’s in this budget? No way to explain it all, but here’s some of what I like.
EDUCATION: SEEK funding is sustained; schools for the deaf and blind funding is restored; more latitude is given for local decision-making; KET is supported as is Voc Rehab (which gets us a 4:1 federal funding match). Also, the KEES scholarship program is continued. Higher Ed gets hit with only 1.5% and 1% reductions in each of the two years. They were expecting a 2% hit each year. FRYSC’s are funded.
MEDICAID: With 800,000 of our citizens eligible and 3,400 being added each month – the 55,000 children in the KCHIP program are protected; groups that can draw federal match funds are supported and $2 million is placed in grant program funds (Meals on Wheels, Bani Bill, etc.).
JOBS: Water and sewer lines are slated to be constructed across the state. Also, schools, roads and bridges. 25,000 – 30,000 new jobs. $38.5 million will be used to prepare infrastructure for the 6,000 new residents coming to the Ft. Knox area because of the BRAC initiative. The Portland Marine Hospital will be repaired and, with support from UofL, will provide jobs and healthcare services to area residents.
BONDING: Borrowing – to build. With interest rates at historic lows, now appears to be a good time to do so. The same for the retirement system in order to curb future costs.
CORRECTIONS: Providing support for probation and parole officers and shrinking the number of non-violent offenders you and I have to provide a bed for is a priority. Increasing the use of technology to track home incarnations and expanding community based drug treatment programs will slow down the prison industry economy that is far too costly for us to sustain.
65 – 33 was the vote to pass this House version; mostly along party lines. The good thing for those of you who are junkies: you get to see this all over again when our friends in the Senate have a go at it.
Haitian Relief is still needed: www.USAID.gov or www.whitehouse.gov or contact the Red Cross. Stay informed of action on bills and meetings at www.lrc.ky.gov, or call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. I encourage you to connect with me directly at 502.564.8100 or at Reginald.Meeks@lrc.ky.gov.
Pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK NINE
I had a bit of eye surgery a couple of months back and I’m finding that they stay red a lot. And they still burn some. A colleague said it was my way of looking at our work through rose colored lenses! I’ll take that. As we debated the budget options, I saw there is a fundamental difference between how some of us view the proposed solution to our $1.5 billion hole. As it is in Washington, elements here seem bent on saying, “NO” to any positive action — even when they have been party to the development of what they are saying “NO” to! Reminds me of the auto worker who refuses to drive the car she produces or the cook who won’t eat at the restaurant he cooks for. What is wrong with this picture?!
Bill Lamb and Fox “Fair and Balanced” News are not the first place I would suggest turning to for political marching orders, but Bill is spot on when he recently opined that the glass really is half full. For example, Louisville is cited by Forbes as the second best housing market in the country; the speed we have been going in the wrong direction is being slowed and that is allowing us to begin turning the right way; spinach is being pumped into Popeye’s investment veins and he’s even got FOX beginning to play the “Rocky” soundtrack as background music to its news reports on our local economy. Kentucky’s jobless rate may be at an all time high, but it appears to not be growing, or at least has slowed significantly.
Still my good friends on the other side of the aisle – those who continue to vote “NAY” on most of my bills ☹ – have a point. Is it better to have a “jobs bill” as part of our state budget to stimulate and create more jobs for Kentuckians, or should we provide support to and maintain tax breaks and incentives for the private sector to hire and expand and grow the workforce? Do we do or do we don’t need a constitutional amendment for expanded gaming? Reasonable people can disagree reasonably.
My eyes still burn from the procedure at times, but they are feeling a lot better now than they were, and I’m seeing a lot better than I did. Now, if only I can convince “them” of that. . . LOL!
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 the Program Review committee; and member of the Budget Sub-committee on Post-Secondary Education. He continues to serve on the Board of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center after serving in 2009 as the Board Chairman.
House Bill 530, the budget bill was passed this week. It explains the fiscal impact of various revenue measures which will be enacted in a separate budget bill. It outlines very clearly where we are proposing to get the money to pay for the spending bill that will be forthcoming. Highlights include:
1. Two (2) percent across the board spending cut for most state agencies (including ours)
2. Reversing the two (2) additional instructional school days begun last year
3. Temporarily suspending the net operating loss income tax for two years and allowing these losses to be carried forward the same as the suspended time
4. Capping the state’s new-home tax credit program
5. Creating the Kentucky Small Business Jobs Creation Program and providing $5M in tax credits
In total, as much as $370 million will be generated to help balance the 2010-12 budget. The bill passed 64-36, almost solely along party lines.
The second part of the budget showing where the money will be spent should be ready for discussion and review by the House next week.
Under House Bill 301, the high school dropout age will go from 16 to 17, starting with the class of 2014, and to 18 for those graduating in 2015 and beyond. Increasing our graduation rate is a goal shared by educators, parents and legislators for many reasons: Dropouts earn an average of $6,800 less per year than high school graduates; they contribute $60,000 less in taxes over a lifetime and nearly 75% of prison inmates lack a high school diploma.
The bill also has a goal of increasing the number of Kentucky adults with a GED or high school diploma by 30 percent between 2010 and 2016. Rep. Greer and I are proud to be prime sponsors of this bill which received support from First Lady Jane Beshear and the NBA’s Magic Johnson.
Concern for the educational success of Kentucky’s children continued with the passage of HB 190, establishing the Strong Start Kentucky Program. Models of preschool education for underserved three and four year old children living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level will be developed and the cost of serving all three and four year old children in the state by the 2014-2015 school year will be studied.
Better oversight and monitoring of state contracts and state employees are the ideas behind House Bill 387. We found this information lacking, or unavailable, as we prepared the budget. The bill requires the secretary of the Personnel Cabinet to report quarterly the number of state employees to the Legislative Research Commission and requires more information about contracts such as how costs break down and the type of work being performed.
Haitian Relief is still needed. Visit www.USAID.gov or www.whitehouse.gov or contact the Red Cross and help in any way you see fit to help.
Stay informed of action on bills and meetings at www.lrc.ky.gov, or call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. I encourage you to connect with me directly at 502.564.8100 or at Reginald.Meeks@lrc.ky.gov. As always, I ask you to pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK EIGHT
Jim Wayne wrote an Op Ed piece that began with the analogy of our driving past a series of “WARNING: BRIDGE OUT” signs and not being surprised when we find yourself taking a swan dive. He was talking about this antiquated state tax system and our refusing to heed warnings it is inadequate for sustaining our state spending levels. Seems the common sense around here to do something about a problem has never interfered with our will to maintain things as they are. I guess people find intrinsic value in knowing what the outcomes are likely to be.
Here’s what I know:
*Pay Day lenders keep thousands of good Kentuckians in hoc, costing us millions. But a bill to bring these families relief is DOA
*Cockfighting is apparently the real state sport
*Coal reserves must be endless, and
*one legislator’s fear of lottery ticket buyers being herded like sheep to the corner convenience store led to a 20 year ban on informing you exactly where lottery proceeds go and how they are spent. [I’m not sure, but I’m fairly certain we have not missed the $7 - 10 million each year we left sitting on the table because we chose to not be transparent with our citizens…..
Also, if you have a problem with a state agency, gut the agency and put their personnel on traffic patrol.
And whatever you do, take all the federal money you can get your needy little paws on -- but keep “them” as far away from “us” as possible. . .
People can and do put political ideology, dogma and expedience over common sense, sound public policy and good government, but I am as shocked to learn this as you are.
Reginald
Rep. Meeks serves on the following House committees: Appropriations & Revenue; Education; and Natural Resources committees. He is Vice-Chair of Licensing and Occupations; Co-Chair of the Program Review committee; and member of the Budget sub-committee on Post-Secondary Education. He continues to serve on the Board of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center after serving in 2009 as the Chairman of its Board.
BUDGET UPDATE: Our budget committees have met, recommendations have been submitted, and the detailed work of finding sufficient funds to plug the well documented state budget shortfall is underway. We expect to publicly disclose a formal proposal next week --hopefully. I outlined a number of potential efficiencies in last week’s District Update. Below are a number of additional proposals being reviewed and considered:
• Companies can now spread 1 year of losses over 20 years of their future state income tax payments. We are looking at delaying for 2 years this “off-set” which may generate $28 million this year; $82 million in ’11 and $100 million in ’12.
• Requiring companies to submit sales tax collections sooner than the current deadline. This accelerated sales tax collection should generate $90 million over the biennium.
• Daily room taxes are paid for hotel/lodging stays less than 30 days, but not for those staying 31 days or more. Treating all hotel lodging equitably will generate $6.6 million over the biennium.
• Kentuckians working out of the country have their first $80,000 in income exempt from taxes….but not Kentuckians who l live and work in the state. Providing parity for these workers with their in-state kin will generate $24 million for the biennium. This would NOT apply to those serving in the military.
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS REMAIN FLUID, SO STAY TUNED FOR MORE NEW DETAILS AND ACTIVITY!
At least two House bills are one step closer to becoming law this week after being passed by the Senate. HB 51 now goes to the governor for his signature. It will enhance suicide prevention efforts by requiring public middle and high school to distribute suicide prevention materials to their students every fall and require the state to post suicide prevention information on its web site. Concern for the welfare of Kentucky’s children is the focus of a bill addressing “sexting”—the practice of sending sexual images or imagery through text messages. Under HB 143, teens under age 18 will have to perform community service and pay a $100 fine the first time they are caught sending or possessing nude images through text messages. Supporters said the bill would both protect victims and prevent teens from facing possible felony charges later by making first-time offenders aware of the consequences of their behavior.
HB 95 is one bill whose number does not appear to be a winner. It is a bill I introduced to allow the lottery to advertise and educate the public about where and how lottery proceeds are used. Of all states with lotteries, only we have this prohibition! A simple way to be transparent, build public confidence and maybe increase profits by $7 - $10 million for MORE scholarships….
Haitian Relief is still needed. Visit www.USAID.gov or www.whitehouse.gov or contact the Red Cross and help in any way you see fit to help.
Stay informed of action on bills and meetings at www.lrc.ky.gov, or call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. I encourage you to connect with me directly at 502.564.8100 or at Reginald.Meeks@lrc.ky.gov. As always, I ask you to pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK SEVEN
The Black History Month program outstanding! It culminated in the unveiling of the Ed Hamilton produced bust of late Supreme Court Justice William McAnulty and was a remarkable display of the respect and admiration “Judge Mc” is held in! Check out the program on KETKY on Saturday, February 20 at 8:30 am EST; Monday, February 22 at 6:00 pm EST; Tuesday, February 23 at 8:30 am EST; and on Wednesday, February 24 at 3:30 pm EST. Or, check out this nine-minute link to the program: http://www.youtube.com/KYCreativeServices#p/a/u/0/zCMjR_3qujU
The much-anticipated plan to meet the state’s $1.2 billion shortfall has been released. Although there will be some considerable strain, our plan separates the 2011 from the 2012 budget year and asks 1.) how much is needed in each year?, and it then 2.) identifies the source of those funds. We call for no increases in taxes and no layoffs of teachers and state workers. Education is protected and all state workers and legislators are treated in the same manner.
By expecting and using a $250 million federal Medicaid match extension, we reduce the 2011 Medicaid deficit from $395 million to $145 million; changes in the public employee health insurance plan increases the quality of the plans overall and results in $30 million (yr 1) and $60 million (yr 2) savings.; we also fully fund the state retirement program; political appointees and personal services contracts are to be reduced to ’07 levels, resulting in $30 million (yr. 1) and $60 million (yr.2) in savings; there will be no recurring or permanent cuts to the state SEEK funding formula; $34 million is saved by eliminating two instructional school days added in the ’06 – ’08 budget; $20 million is saved by holding higher education to a 2 percent cut, and we also expect to find $50 million per year in Medicaid efficiencies.
There is much work to be done tweaking, fine tuning and negotiating as our budget process moves forward. Whether the Senate will continue to cooperate with the House is one question, but indications appear to confirm they are. Tough questions must be asked, and answered, about the 2012 budget. The feds have to come thru with the expected six- months extension of Medicaid funding. And all of this demands your continued vigilance and pressure on us to “get something done”!
By the way, we did pass some excellent pieces of legislation this week: HB 189 expands the number of offenses that can be prosecuted under the domestic violence laws and expands protection to adult dating partners in abusive relationships; under HB 377, combat veterans who have been arrested would be identified by pretrial officers and referred to available assistance immediately for such conditions at post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.
Haitian Relief is still needed: www.USAID.gov or www.whitehouse.gov or contact the Red Cross. Stay informed of action on bills and meetings at www.lrc.ky.gov, or call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. I encourage you to connect with me directly at 502.564.8100 or at Reginald.Meeks@lrc.ky.gov.
Pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK SIX
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, which raises 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.
Watch KET for coverage of our Legislative Black History Month program held in the Capitol rotunda. The bust of Supreme Court Justice William McAnulty was unveiled. Haitian Relief is still needed: www.USAID.gov or www.whitehouse.gov or contact the Red Cross.
Stay informed of action on bills and meetings at www.lrc.ky.gov, or call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. The toll-free Meeting Information Line is 800.633.9650. I encourage you to connect with me directly at 502.564.8100 or at Reginald.Meeks@lrc.ky.gov.
WEEK FIVE
The note was written on the back of a green flyer printed up in support of HB 119. The flyer outlined all the reasons to support the bill, complete with statistics, dollar figures and information sources.
It read: “You may not remember me, but I was one of the teens who met with you last year… This year I was here [to] rally for HB 119. . .and since I am a new voter this year, I look forward to supporting you in the future. Please help get HB 119 passed so that girls my age don’t have to become just another statistic. P.S. Thanks for the tips last year. I really think you helped us convince other representatives to support us.” Signed, arah. Aaaah, yes — Sun Tzu would be proud.
Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, these days give hope that democracy is alive and well. From natty dressed lobbyists, to farmers, grannies carrying babies, and school groups; guests invited to testify in committees, state employees and maybe just the curious — they have come, each for their own reason. Each playing their role in giving life and breath to this political democracy. To those I have conducted lobby training sessions for, thank you for your commitment and desire to be actively engaged in this process.
I urge you to come and add your voice to the din. There’s plenty of fun to go ‘round! Just think, you’ll get to button-hole legislators on the stairwell; bend ears on fast walks between the Annex and the Capitol; track people to and from committee meeting rooms, rally in the rotunda and play human pin ball in the cafeteria; where it seems the whole of staff, visitors, lobbyists and legislators try making it through the lines, compare notes, plan the afternoon strategy, prepare for the next meeting and gobble down a meal – all at just about the same time. Seriously, if you have something to say, NOW is the time we need to be hearing it!
Oh, sorry I was in a committee meeting, Sarah, when you dropped in to see me. But I hear you. I hear you loud and clear!
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 reginald.meeks@lrc.ky.gov or at 502.564.8100.
Pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK FOUR
Ol’ Ruyard would be proud. He thought long and hard before penning what could be one of the most powerful admonitions for presidents and fools alike. You know the poem: If you can keep your head when all about you, others lose their’s — if you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools — that one.
President Obama addressed the Nation, but he spoke to me. Sure, I wanted to know the foundation is strong, the flowing waves of amber are still out there on the plains with the grain and all that. But, I also wanted to know my President was keeping his eye on the prize. That even though any one of a dozen issues could command center stage, I wanted to know he was not giving up on healthcare reform nor jumping from issue to issue without finding resolve for any. I needed to know he understands there are those who would rather see the Nation fail than see his Administration be successful. I am convinced he does.
In clear and reasoned passion, the President had words for both sides of the aisle. For Democrats: you seem to excel in tripping over your own feet; stop busting my chops for suggesting a spending freeze, and it makes about as much sense to play a global economics game from the limiting boundaries of our backyard than it does to circle the wagons to defend ourselves from nuclear attack. Gil Scott-Heron must be smiling. LEAD. FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY!
And for Republicans: let’s find those areas of agreement where we can work together, but don’t think for one minute I have forgotten what – and who – got us in this hole in the first place. Show me what you got. A party cannot be relevant in the search for long term solutions if all it says is, “NO”! And, the American people will hold you accountable for what you do; and for what you refuse to do.
And did I tell you, he spoke to me? Once past a stumbling block, move on and keep whatever it was behind you. Understand what is wheat and what is chaff. Learn the lesson; forget the incident that caused the lesson to be taught. To kick some, you have to bring some – NO. . .that one must have come from Victory Park’s ball court!
LEAD. FOLLOW or GET OUT OF HIS WAY!
Texting and using a cell phone are about as common today as brushing your teeth. The problem for legislatures is that most people don’t brush their teeth behind the wheel. Many text and talk and drive. HB 43 would ban text messaging by all drivers and the use of cell phones by drivers under age 18. This is an expanding problem and these are proven factors in motor vehicle crashes. Several states have passed bills similar to HB 43, and Kentucky currently has an executive order in effect that bans texting while driving a state vehicle. At the federal level, a ban on texting by drivers of buses and large commercial trucks was issued just last Tuesday.
Our Appropriations & Revenue committee is engaged in the anguishing process of answering that question everyone is awaiting the answer to: Where are we going to find enough revenue to fix a projected state budget shortfall of up to $1.5 billion through 2012 and balance what is sure to be a bare-bones state budget? Tax increases and expanded gaming are off the table and DOA as alternatives. We have been pouring over any number of options that – taken in the aggregate, will get us to where we have to be. These alternative budget plans will be unveiled soon.
We took a major step toward protecting health-insurance coverage for seriously ill Kentuckians in the state’s high-risk Kentucky Access pool with the passage of HB 165. The bill contains changes required by the federal government to operate Kentucky Access and provisions that allow employer-sponsored health plans to have different contribution rates for smokers and non-smokers. It offers incentives for participation in smoking cessation programs.
Also, my HCR 7 was passed which could offer alternatives to counties in the carrying out of future elections. A number of states are experimenting with election alternatives that, 1. Are more convenient, 2. Encourage voter participation and, 3. Result in cost savings to local and state governments. The resolution calls for studying whether counties should have the option to create voting centers that can be placed in convenient locations and possibly open earlier and stay open later than the usual hours, and study whether voters should be allowed to vote early, before election day. This country has among the lowest voting turnout of all democratic governments!
House members raised over $12,000 for Haitian Relief, surpassing our goal of $10,000! Credible organizations to receive donations can be found at the Center for Disaster Relief – 703.276.1914 and at www.Whitehouse.gov or at www.USAID.gov or the Red Cross offices.
NOTE: Our legislative meeting schedule has been shortened by one day. Due to projected weather (snow and ice) problems in the southern and western part of the state, legislators took Friday off and this extra day will be added on to the back end of the calendar.
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 reginald.meeks@lrc.ky.gov or at 502.564.8100.
Pray for the safety and success of our President and his family.
WEEK THREE
The 2010 session of the General Assembly began January 5, 2010.
Teachable moments are jewels of time when opportunities to share meet desire to learn. They are precious and may be lost forever if missed. My 4 year old grand-daughter constantly reminds me just how special teachable moments are! I thought I had missed one this week. Not with her, but in Frankfort with two (2) bills concerning a population of Kentucky citizens that most members, and most Kentuckians, pay little attention to.
Some people have accepted the often repeated “fact” that Kentucky was simply a hunting ground which Native Americans passed through, but did not occupy. It could not be farther from the truth. These lands fed, clothed, housed and became the final resting places for at least 39 distinct American Indian Nations that we know of. They lived throughout these Kentucky lands in scores of well established villages. Hunting and trading routes were well established and later become our state road and highway system. Their villages became trading posts, forts, towns and cities in the Kentucky we know and love today. Early European settlers depended on these various Nations for trade, practical knowledge, protection and, yes, their very survival. Obviously the Indians were good teachers.
So when someone voiced opinions on American Indian issues which presumed to be more credible, knowing and informed than that of the People themselves, I did not respond in a way that led to understanding. I missed that teachable moment. So I thought.
Both bills passed, but the way I expressed myself on the House floor did not lead to understanding. The next day, a member who voted against me put his arm around me and said he appreciated the tenacity of the fight for these issues…to keep on pushing. Another related that the district of the member who had so much to say is changing. It is becoming more and more brown; that the member is reflecting the fear and threat felt by his community. No wonder I have not been able to get through to him in the three years I’ve been talking with him about these bills! He still has “issues”.
I said earlier that teachable moments occur when opportunities to share meet desire to learn.
What was missing was the desire to learn . . . and that’s what was truly sad.
The week went by quickly. Among the issues we did address concerned the well-being of Kentucky’s children. HB 51, if passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, could save young lives by requiring public middle and high schools and the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services to distribute suicide prevention information and increase suicide prevention awareness. Our state suicide rate among young people is now among the highest in the nation, as is the rate of child abuse in the state.
We also passed HB 160, a higher education bill that will ensure students at Kentucky community colleges have a clearer path toward earning a bachelor’s degree at the state’s public universities. The bill eases the transfer process from associate degree programs to bachelor’s degree programs. This should go a long way toward meeting the goals of increasing the number of our college graduates and of getting students on to graduation more quickly and inexpensively than in the past.
As a member of the Appropriations & Revenue Committee, I cannot help but comment on the budget situation. You know the cool reception the governor’s proposed budget received. This means the House is going to have to craft our own state budget. With or without gaming revenues, it seems reasonable to expect that any budget process is likely to explore additional state agency cuts; finding more government efficiencies; possibly sell off millions in state property, and being creative in other areas.
For example, tax reform may be a good long-term solution. In our A&R committee, we may be discussing this possibility. Next week is likely to be the most intense of this session.
We were graced by the presence of UK basketball Coach John Calaperi today. He was recognized for raising $1.5 million in the “Hoops for Haiti” event for relief efforts in that nation. A very gracious man, charmed admirers came from near [Frankfort] and far [the Senate] just to shake his hand, have him autograph a shirt or basketball and have a photograph taken with him. Here’s to you, Coach Cal . . . and thank you! Members of the House have pledged to raise $10,000 for Haitian Relief efforts and we expect to meet this pledge by the end of next week.
Please keep the people of Haiti, the members of our Kentucky National Guard and other relief organizations in your prayers. Consider developing a fundraising effort at church, at work or a challenge between offices and departments on your job to raise funds for Haiti. Credible organizations to donate to can be found at the Center for Disaster Relief – 703.276.1914 and at www.Whitehouse.gov or at www.USAID.gov. Also, you can contact the Red Cross offices.
As always, I invite you to stay informed of action on bills and meetings this session by checking our website, www.lrc.ky.gov, or by calling 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 at 502.564.8100.
Pray for the safety and success of our President and his family. Reginald
WEEK TWO
Most of us have little, if anything, to do with Haiti and its Haitian population. It is like some out of the way spot way over there. It’s that back “overflow” room we all have where we hide “stuff” – our inconvenient memories - from view until there is time to deal with them. Like that room, we have never found time to deal with Haiti. Until now. Now we have to. 9 million people. The blood of slaves of the Spanish, then the French, survived what is regarded as some of the most bestial treatment in the Western world. A strong, proud people, they waged and won their own Revolutionary War for Independence and Freedom – at the very same time the American and French Revolutions were being waged and won. They wrote their own Constitution – a document that stood until 1918 when an occupying force of the U.S. forced a new one on them. There are lots of inconvenient memories to stick in that back room.
Refusing to recognize an independent Black nation, Europe and the U.S. refused to recognize Haitian independence. They boycotted trade relations with Haiti. Haiti was even forced to compensate France for the loss of slave and other trade profits! Economic shackles replaced iron and for generations, millions of dollars that would have built a viable nation were siphoned off to pay back France. Instead of a free and viable nation, a long series of would be governments were continuously overwhelmed and underequipped for sustained effectiveness. The consequence of her history we see in Haiti – and on the shores of South Florida beaches – today.
And so, we pray today for the Haitian People. We pray as they struggle to understand the incomprehensible. Hundreds of thousands carrying her heartbeat are now buried in rubble or laying out under wraps to rot alone on dank and dirty streets as you read this. We pray as the world mobilizes and begins the laborious process to just determine where to start. Maybe – as we join that global work crew going in to help these least of these, just maybe – as we look past race and ethnicity and we focus on the souls of those in need, maybe – now is the time to open the door to that back room and make plans to help clean out those inconvenient memories.
To help, contact the Center for Disaster Relief: 703.276.1914 and Whitehouse.gov or USAID.gov.
Please join me in praying for the safety and well-being of the Haitian People, for all the public and private aid workers, and for our President and his family.
I serve on the House Appropriations Committee and on the Postsecondary Education budget review subcommittee. We began gathering the info needed to craft a new Kentucky spending plan by hearing direct testimony from state agencies and warnings of a nearly $1.5 billion shortfall predicted for the next two years. What we heard also provided hints of what will be included in the governor’s proposed budget.
PLEASE WATCH Gov. Steve Beshear’s State Budget Address, Tuesday, January 19, at 7:00 pm live on KET.
A rare event happened this week that has tremendous implications for the future of education in the Commonwealth. The House gave final approval to an education bill introduced just days before that could bring as much as $250 million in federal funds to Kentucky’s education system over the next four years. The bill then went to the Senate where technical changes were made; but when it was all said and done, the bill was passed by both chambers and sent to the governor for signing. House Bill 176 establishes “intervention” options for turning around failing schools, provides more training and support for teachers, improves standards in most academic areas, and gives parents more online student information. This quick action was taken so Kentucky could make a January 19 federal deadline to apply for the funding.
“Amanda’s Bill” was passed this week. Named in memory and honor of domestic violence victim Amanda Ross, HB 1 was passed unanimously to protect potential domestic violence victims by encouraging Kentucky courts to order GPS monitoring in Domestic Violence Order cases. Counties that buy or lease the monitoring devices—which would be paid for by the accused being monitored—could use them for pretrial release, pretrial diversion and probation as well as DVO cases. HB 1 now goes to the Senate for consideration. It would become law immediately if passed by both chambers and approved by the governor.
Our House Education Committee also considered a bill that would increase the number of BA degree holders by making it easier for students to transfer from our community colleges to our 4- year institutions. HB 160 provides that credit for certain community college courses would be fully credited to BA courses and that universities would be prohibited from requiring community college grads to repeat courses to earn a BA within their major. Also, the bill would limit the required lower-division course credit hours in most state degree programs beginning in 2012.
As we continue this 2010 legislative session, I want you to be aware of my committee assignments: Appropriations & Revenue; Education; Licensing & Occupations [Vice Chair]; Natural Resources & Environment, and Program Review and Investigations [Co-Chair].
Stay informed of action on bills this session by checking our website, www.lrc.ky.gov, or by calling the LRC toll-free Bill Status Line at 866.840.2835. To find out when a committee meeting is scheduled, call the LRC toll-free Meeting Information Line at 800.633.9650. I invite you to share your comments or concerns with me by calling the Legislative Message Line at 800.372.7181. For the deaf or hard-of-hearing, that number is 800.896.0305. You may also write me directly at Capitol Annex, Rm. 329C, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort 40601.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Reginald
WEEK ONE
I cannot tell you how good it feels to be back in Frankfort! Working, reconnecting with staff and friends, preparing to deal with the very real problems all of us face as Kentuckians.
Given the dire messages of doom and gloom that seem to permeate the media — and maybe the public’s thinking — a colleague made the point on KET recently that in spite of how bad we think we have it, it is still better than 99 percent of the people in the world; still better than many other states and, might I add, maybe we would be wise to never forget to count our blessings.
Right now it’s snowing here in Frankfort. Schools have closed, who knows how the roads will be when I hit the road back home tonight — and one would think we don’t have a snowball’s chance of NOT being socked in for the next 2 or 3 days!! We find it easy to forget this snow will stop; the roads will be cleared (eventually) and after all, it is January and it is supposed to be snowing!!
What better time to appreciate the spring bloom and the summer heat than in the freeze of winter’s snowy grip? What better time to reflect. . .to plan for times when the coffers are filling, living is easy and the cotton is high….well, let us not take all this too far. Chopping cotton is no fun in any weather!
You get the point. May you, your family and loved ones have many blessings to count in this new year. Please join me in praying for the safety and well being of our President and his family.
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE: STEADY AS SHE GOES!
“Kentuckians need Hope and Help.” Governor Steve Beshear
The ship’s Captain addressed the crew via a live KET broadcast of the joint House and Senate in his annual State of the Commonwealth Address. Claiming to have inherited a financially, functionally and spiritually broke and broken Commonwealth, you will be happy to know — government now works! To illustrate his point, Governor Beshear outlined an impressive list of accomplishments. “By cleaning up the Transportation Cabinet, strengthening ethics policies. . .we have made government work again ethically.”
And, it works efficiently because we have cut “nearly $900 million in spending and [reduced] the executive branch by almost 1,600 employees…” He has overhauled the economic incentives program; protected the pensions of our teachers, police officers and other public servants; and he has pledged to continue to do so in a spirit of cooperation with the other party.
But there is a time and a place for everything, and the Governor made it clear to anyone who might have had any doubts or problems with it – he will be using his political leadership to help elect a Democrat in the 24th House district to help him move Kentucky forward. (We Dems have not had real good success of late in electing our “Chosen One”, so any and all help will be needed, no doubt.) But after the gritting and gnashing of teeth is done, we can all come together and sing “Kum by Yah”. I just pray who ever does “come by here” brings with them a huge dose of sanity and wisdom as we move from campaigning to problem-solving and governing.
Domestic Violence was clearly on the Governor’s mind as this issue continues to touch the raw nerves of Kentuckians in all too many cruel and painful ways. And as devastating as this is, we were buoyed by the fact that no State Police officer was killed in the line of duty in 2009, and even when they were called out in record numbers to help meet the needs of our towns and cities in unprecedented numbers when natural disasters hit last year, our Kentucky National Guard continues to honorably meet our national defense interests. The combined General Assembly stood as one to honor them and to show their families just how proud and thankful we are of their service and sacrifice.
Despite difficult times and challenges ahead in the immediate future, the governor indicated there are clear signs of recovery showing up in the state. His plan is to stay the course, keeping in play his original four (4) goals when he came into office: creating and retaining jobs; helping Kentucky families survive this recessionary period; attacking those fundamental problems holding us back; and, lastly, making state government a lean, mean, efficient machine!
Of particular delight to me was his commitment to support increasing the age at which one can drop out of school in Kentucky. I have filed HB 94 which raises the drop-out age over a two-year period. I also look forward to having good discussion on other bills I have filed: HB 92 which addresses the need for greater historic preservation in the state; HB 127 which will automatically expunge the record when one is found “not guilty” or has the conviction overturned; HB 95 to provide more public insight into where and how state lottery proceeds are expended; and HB 81 requiring training of persons responsible for charitable gaming operations in the state – a business enterprise that produces more cash money revenue in the state than horseracing!
As always, I solicit your thoughts and opinions. Call me directly at 502.564.8100 or write me at Capitol Annex, Rm. 329C, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601. To reach me or any particular legislator, contact our toll-free number at 800.372.7181. For the deaf or hard-of-hearing, that number is 800.896.0305. Hope to hear from you soon!