LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: February 15, 2007

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

Whirlwind of Deliberating Bills in Committee Meetings

Greetings from Frankfort ! Well folks, we spent most of the second week of February in committee meetings discussing some of the 500 bills and resolutions filed for consideration during this 30-day Legislative Session. By the third week more bills began to fill the Orders of the Day for floor vote.

Legislators have been working on “identity theft protection,” and last week the House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 7, requiring government agencies and businesses to protect Social Security numbers and other personal identifications from possible identity theft. All personal information would be removed from public records and documents, such as tax liens, and be destroyed. Agencies and companies would also be required to notify individuals of any security breaches of personal identifiable information in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay.

House Bill 291 of which I am a cosponsor, passed the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces will receive extended eligibility benefits for the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program. House Bill 291 would retroactively remove this time requirement and allow military personnel to return to school and utilize the scholarship program after returning from their tour of service.

It was great seeing so many visitors from Boone and Northern Kentucky in Frankfort these past weeks. Despite the weather, you have made the trip to support us and address issues that are vital to our community. Boone County schools were well represented, as principles and parents diligently visited members of the Education and the Appropriations and Revenue Committees in support of HB 189 and to discuss the situation that we face as a school district growing at a rate of 800 students a year. I have filed HB 189 which would allow rapidly growing school districts like Boone to receive 8o percent of the funding dollars for the increase of students they experience in a school year at the beginning of the school year rather than an adjustment later in the year.

Funding for school construction remains a priority but can only be addressed legislatively when in a budget session. I am continuing dialog with leadership in General Assembly chambers, the Governor's office, and the Department of Education concentrating on this issue.

As for HB 299, the “Health Kids Act 2007,” I am working to get hearing before the House Education Committee, but given the current political climate Republican bills are not getting much traction . I feel the health of the children of this Commonwealth is not a partisan issue and transcends politics. Our concerns, our efforts and our political wisdom calls us to rise above parties, and other legislative agendas and address the issue a of child's health related to overweight, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Of course, this legislation will not replace good parenting but, seeks to ensure there is opportunity for thirty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during the six to seven hours our elementary and middle school children are engaged in learning.

Over the next few weeks, I will continue to update you on our progress here in Frankfort . In the meantime, I can be reached at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. Those with hearing impairments may leave a message for me through the TTY Message Line at 1-800-896-0305. If you have internet access, you can e-mail me at addia.wuchner@lrc.ky.gov or keep track of specific legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page:www.lrc.state.ky.us.