LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: April 18, 2006

 

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

General Assembly finishes as the clock strikes midnight

Greetings once again from Frankfort!  The 2006 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly came to a close on Wednesday, April 12, at the predicted stroke of midnight.

As I mentioned in previous columns, the most crucial issue facing the legislature during the 2006 session was the state budget, especially considering the legislature had failed to pass a budget during the previous two budgetary sessions.  My observations, legislators work within a cumbersome process, laden with political promises, compromises and last minute negotiations and amidst a constant swarm of lobbyists. In final days, there was a lot of shouting, leadership of both chambers storming opposite ends of the hall and recessing. We recess a lot. Additionally we passed some big fat bills last week and I voted, “nay” more than I had the entire session.

Locally, the 2006 budget includes $2.7M for Boone County water and sewer projects, more than $65M over the next two years for roads, $2.8M for Big Bone, and $28M for Gateway Technical and Community College located here in Boone County . In fact, Boone County and Northern Kentucky faired better in 2006 than any previous years.

Even bringing dollars home can be controversial... “too much pork” some say. I tend to agree, having voiced concerns about the amount of pork and how we intend to pay for the multitude of projects. The reality is this folks, the dollars finally returning to Boone County and Northern Kentucky are years over due. So is this really the time to complain or to celebrate the success?  Elected to represent Boone County and the region, it is my job along with my Northern Kentucky colleagues to ensure we receive our fair share of state funding. At the same time, I believe we must hold to responsible spending controls. What is a girl to do?

Folks it is an election year and every legislator returns home to face the question, “what did you bring home this session?” Pork… excuse me, projects remain the measure of legislative success.

The problem remains that when we finally receive long over due funding, the rest of the State continues their historically over zealous pork grabbing. Boone County and the Northern Kentucky region generate millions of dollars in revenue and pump millions into the state coffers. Over the years only 29.9% of the dollars sent to Frankfort have been reinvested in Boone County , while other regions of the State have maneuvered millions of Boone dollars to their counties and regions. For example, when I finally located the House leadership report on how $75M in water, sewer and projects was to be allocated for House members, I found the three Northern Kentucky Counties had been placed in a “pool” with only $1.8M to be divided among Boone, Kenton, and Campbell. Most House members had $500,000 to $1M next to their names. The "pool” appeared something like this: Fayette County $4M, Jefferson $6M,  Warren  $2M, Harden $2M and NKY a whopping $1.8M to split.  Of course, this is not fair… House leadership “assumed” that the Northern Kentucky 's Republican Senators would take care of things and it was not necessary to extend the Northern Kentucky House members the same funding allocations as other members.

We talk about great bipartisan cooperation from both the House and Senate, and I truly believe that is what citizens expect from their elected officials. Nobody wants to hear about the fighting behind the scenes, but believe me it goes on and it can be rather ugly.

Well, by the time this article goes to print, I anticipate we should see some line item vetoes coming from the Governor in order move spending in line with our debt ratio. In fact, I am counting on the Governor to do so, let us just hope he just passes right over Boone County and Northern Kentucky when placing his veto pen to the budget.

On Tuesday, I participated in the Governors signing into law of HB3 Sexual Offender and Child Protection Legislation. I was honored to be part of the ceremony as I worked prior to session on several portions of this bill to assure the safety of the youngest members of our community. Over the next few weeks, I will be updating you on the bills we passed into law this session.

It is a privilege to serve you; please never hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional information on our work, to share your thoughts or to discuss a state government matter. I can be reached at home or through the toll-free message line at 800-372-7181 .