LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: January 9, 2008

 

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

2008 General Assembly – We are back!

Greetings!  The Kentucky General Assembly reconvened this Tuesday at noon with a considerable amount of the people's business to accomplish over the next sixty days.

As far as priorities during this session, you will see continued focus on education, Boone County schools' funding inequities, children's health, and issues that have the greatest impact on our economy and growth potential. This being a biannual budgetary session, the General Assembly has a constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget that will effectively run the Commonwealth for the next two years.

What a difference a year makes…this time last year as we entered the 07 Legislative Session we were facing the complexities of budget surplus, what to do with all those projected millions, and a multitude of dream projects, demands and possibilities. The following is a quote from my January 07 Legislative Update ; “the economy has been good, employment in Kentucky is up, the price of coal is up, and the stars have aligned over the Bluegrass . Whatever the contributing factors, we are projected to behold over $270 million more than anticipated in the State coffers. State Budget Director just announced last Friday that the Consensus Forecasting Group (CFG) has revised its official revenue estimate for the current biennium, predicting that General Fund revenues will exceed the previous forecast by some $401 million. Compared to the situation of the Commonwealth just over three years ago, we are emerging from some desperate times.”

This year we arrive in Frankfort facing a much different forecast. We are hearing rumblings desperate times again. The Consensus Forecasting Group (CFG) now predicts an economic down turn and decreases in official revenue projections which brings us up short as we close out the 08 fiscal year in June. Our House Republican Caucus met in mid December with Governor Beshear and the Revenue Cabinet. The projections presented are going to require much prudence, working with the new administration in a bipartisan and bicameral effort to construct a balanced budget to run the Commonwealth for the next two years.

Kentucky 's needs abound, yet keep in mind that funding imbalances do currently exist. The State has debt. For instance, over a period of years, the State has not met the actuarial recommendations for State employees' and teachers' pension funds.  County and city employees' pension funds now part of the state system, and the rising cost of healthcare insurance are strangling local budgets.

The solutions for Kentucky 's immediate and long-term future are complex and demand an extended vision and conscientious planning.  Wisdom demands investing in education, transportation and local economies where the State is experiencing the greatest growth and potential returns. As a steward of your tax dollars, I believe it is imperative that we address outstanding obligations and basic infrastructure needs first. Sure every legislator desires to have more dollars and projects for their district and regions but, we must exercise temperance and work diligently with fiscal responsibility on the budget process to ensure our citizens the best return on their tax dollars and a sound future for the Commonwealth.

As of last week over 1125 (BR) bill request have been filled. Some may never reach the floor of either Chamber. During the session, I will keep you abreast of the goings on in Frankfort , the legislation that I am working on, funding for our schools, and impending legislative issues such as transportation funding, the pension plan, gamming, bridges and more.

I recently sent out a legislative survey to households in the 66 th House District. If you received a survey please let me know your thoughts on the issues. I will also post the survey on my website, addiawuchner.com if you wish to print a copy to complete.

Thank you again for allowing me to represent you in Frankfort . As always, do not hesitate to contact me through the legislative message line 800-372-7181, by email Addia.Wuchner@lrc.ky.gov and you may reach me at my home office on the weekends during session 859-525-6698.