LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: February 1, 2008

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

Much Work Remains, With Eight Weeks and Ten Veto Days To Go

Greetings from Frankfort ! Bustling day in Frankfort … Today many of our friends from Northern Kentucky are due to visit the Capital for the Chamber's annual Northern Kentucky Day in Frankfort . They will have an opportunity to attend session and discuss matters of importance for our region with other legislators. Kentucky 's Annual Rally for Life takes place at noon in the Capital rotunda. Additionally Advocated for Children including Children, Inc and United Way of Northern KY and Greater Cincinnati are visiting with us today.

Well, the pace around Frankfort has picked up this week. Last Tuesday, the 29th of January, the Governor presented his budget address and the elections candidate filing deadline was 4:00 PM on the same day. With that passed, everyone can quit tiptoeing around wondering what the future holds, and we can get down to business. We have eight weeks and ten veto days left to pass a balanced budget, finish our legislative work, and perhaps tackle pension issues and bridges.

In preparing the budget, Governor Beshear had many challenges and had to make some difficult budgetary cuts. When describing his $18.8 billion biannual budget he "laid the groundwork for regaining our financial footing” , and concluded his address with renewing his call for a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling in our Commonwealth.

Committed to education, he did recommend that SEEK (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky ) funding be maintained at its current level over the next two years. But, taking into consideration salaries and rising transportation cost, our schools are telling me that remaining at the current level of funding for K-12 education for the next two years is in essence a decrease. Be assured, I will work with my colleagues during the weeks ahead to secure additional SEEK funding.

Keep in mind, the budget process begins with the Governor, and the House will explore all possible options in the coming weeks as we draft a budget bill based in part on the governor's recommendations. Once the House passes the budget bill, it will go to the Senate for a workout. Remember folks, it is a process, as they say, “a marathon not a sprint." I will be here for the long haul and keep you posted.

The House Education Committee passed HB 270 last week. Working with the Department of Education, I drafted and co-sponsored HB 270 which would provide some flexibility and relief to “growth districts” like Boone and Walton Verona. I am hopeful by the time you read this column HB 270 is on the way to the Senate.

HB 18, the “Run off elections bill” passed the House by a 92-3 vote last Thursday. HB 18 would eliminate so-called "runoff" primary elections in gubernatorial races.

In the days ahead, I will work to move along in the process other legislation that I am sponsoring like HB 34 “Healthy Kids Act 2008” and HCR 70 concerning the “Homestead Exemption” for our senior citizens and disabled Kentuckians. The current Homestead exemption provided for in the Constitution of Kentucky has not been revisited in many years.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you once again for your confidence me and allowing me to represent you in Frankfort .

Over the next few weeks, I will continue to update you on our progress with the budget and with other legislation before us. In the meantime, you may contact me at home office on weekends, through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181 or email addia.wuchner@lrc.ky.gov.