LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: February 16, 2006

 

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

State House acts on wide variety of measures

Greetings from Frankfort! This week we passed HB 508, legislation I was proud to cosponsor because it would prevent the government from taking private property for private development. House Bill 508 lists specific conditions for the use of eminent domain - the government condemnation of private property for public use. Only government ownership or use, elimination of run-down areas, public infrastructure use or other uses authorized by state law would constitute "public use" under the provisions of HB 508. The bill comes on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling that found local governments had the authority to take private property for private economic development projects that may not benefit the public.

The House took up the controversial primary seatbelt bill, HB 86. Currently, police can issue a seat belt ticket only if they have already stopped a driver for another offense. House Bill 86 would allow law enforcement officers to issue seatbelt tickets as a primary violation. After almost an hour and a half of debate on HB 86, it appeared HB 86 had passed by a vote of 49-48. However, the bill had an emergency clause, essentially language that requires legislation passed by both the House and Senate would take effect immediately after being signed into law by the Governor. Bills with an emergency clause require a constitutional majority - at least 51 votes of the 100 House members so HB 86 actually failed by two votes. The bill has a number of supporters and Kentucky is expected to receive $11 million in federal funds for transportation. While running for office, the citizens of Boone County repeatedly asked me several questions - are you pro-family, pro-life, pro-education, pro-economic development and pro-guns. The final question was where do you stand on primary seatbelt. Those who held this seat prior had assured the citizens when the seatbelt law first passed that it would never become a primary offense. The voters asked me for that same assurance and, as I said on the House Floor, "There is room to live if you buckle your seatbelt and as a nurse I am committed to the wellbeing of our citizens, but I will not go back on my promise to the people of Boone County. I vote no."

House Education Committee members sent a clear message to Kentucky students last week that high school is their last chance to prepare for college. The committee passed to ensure that Kentucky students are well-prepared for life after high school by toughening high school standards. House Bill 197 would set up a pilot program to administer exams at the end of algebra, Algebra II and geometry starting at the end of 2007-2008. These exams are aimed at both making sure students learn the concepts, and that they are held to consistent standards across the state. Committee members also passed HJR 145, aimed at increasing students' understanding of government as well as the historic documents - like the U.S. Constitution - that have shaped it.

I sponsored HB 551 on behalf of the Kentucky Higher Education Authority and the State Merit Scholarship. Under HB 551, beginning in 2009, students would have to score higher on their ACT exams - an 18, rather than a 15 - in order to earn KEES money. Students will still be able to receive KEES money for qualifying GPAs. By doing so, the committee hopes to raise the bar and motivate students to study harder and be better prepared for college. HB 551 was passed by the House Education Committee.

In the meantime, I will continue to update you on the work of the 2006 General Assembly. as always, I can be reached here at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181 and e-mail at addia.wuchner@lrc.ky.gov.