Issue 4

     
Inside this issue
 
  17 Days Down and 43 to Go in the 2010 Regular Session!  
 

 

  

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  Governor Beshear Delivers Keynote Address at Government Forum  
 

      

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear gave the keynote address at the Chamber's Government Forum before a crowd of over 200 people in Covington on January 29th. The Governor focused his comments on creating jobs in Kentucky and praised Northern Kentucky for being a model for the rest of the state. Chief among his ideas for creating jobs is having a competitive economic development policy to attract companies from outside the Commonwealth.
 

During his discussion of the budget, Governor Beshear renewed his call for expanded gaming as the best way to shore up the state’s budget and also talked about finding efficiencies in government by studying Medicaid and reviewing the amount of taxpayer dollars that go to corrections versus education.

 

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  Budget and Tax Reform  
 



Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus Member and House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Rick Rand (D-Bedford) is in the process of developing options for the state’s biennial budget with the hope of presenting his proposals to House members in the next few weeks. Kentucky’s budget deficit has been estimated at nearly $1.5 billion and with expanding gaming seemingly off the table as a revenue source this session, legislators are grappling with the best way to balance the state’s budget.

 

Higher revenue estimates from a rebounding economy and the possibility of additional stimulus funds could help the budget in the short-term, but how to address 2012 and beyond leaves many questions and few answers. Tax reform is being considered as a source of revenue, but the prospects for that happening during this session or before the election in November are very slim.

  

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  Kentucky House Passes Key Health Insurance Legislation  
 

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is pleased to report that HB 165 (Damron) passed (99-0) the House. This legislation will amend Kentucky law and allow employers to charge smokers different health insurance premiums than non-smokers and offer incentives for smoking cessation without the fear of legal action. If you would like to read the bill, please visit http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/10RS/HB165.htm.

 

This is a key piece of legislation for businesses and it will go a long way toward promoting wellness in the workplace. According to the U.S. Center for Disease and Control, smoking-attributable health expenditures are estimated at over $1.1 billion in Kentucky, and the economic productivity loss in Kentucky is estimated at over $2 billion each year. The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce SUPPORTS HB 165 because employers should have flexibility to assess different premiums within their workforce and be able to lawfully offer incentives to those employees who choose to complete a smoking cessation program or other wellness initiatives in the workplace.

 

This bill now moves to the Senate.

 

CALL YOUR SENATOR ON THE LEGISLATIVE MESSAGE LINE AT 1-800-372-7181 AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT HB 165!

 

  

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  Urge the Kentucky House of Representatives to Pass Chamber Energy Priority  
 

As we reported last week, the Kentucky Senate passed SB 26 (Leeper) that would allow Kentucky to develop nuclear energy – the only emissions-free electricity source. The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce SUPPORTS SB 26. Although Kentucky relies heavily on coal production to deliver low cost energy, we must diversify our energy portfolio. Ultimately, having several energy solutions will keep our nation secure, our economy growing, and our environment clean. Maintaining our energy security requires and “all of the above” strategy that includes the development of nuclear energy.

 

This bill now moves to the House.

 

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE MESSAGE LINE AT 1-800-372-7181 AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT SB 26

 

  

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  Join Us at "Northern Kentucky Day in Frankfort" on Wednesday, Feb. 10 - Secretary of Education Meyer and Speaker Stumbo Among Those Participating  
 

This year, Bill Kreutzjans of Ashley Builders is Chair for “Day In Frankfort”, a day-long bus trip to Frankfort on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The cost of registration is $75 per person, which includes bus transportation and a luncheon. A special price of $100 will include admission to the Northern Kentucky Night in Frankfort event that evening.

 

Our Northern Kentucky legislators make a special effort to be available to meet with their constituents and listen to issues important to them.   

 

All members of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus have been invited to participate in the event. We have also secured House Speaker Greg Stumbo; Joe Meyer, Secretary of Education; House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Rick Rand; Senate Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Bob Leeper; and Adam Edelen, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, will meet with the delegation at the Governor’s Mansion.

 

A chartered bus will leave the Chamber parking lot at 7:00 a.m. Deadline for registration is Mon., Feb. 8. To register contact Jane Moore at 859-578-6391 or jmoore@nkychamber.com. Click here to register online for “Day in Frankfort” or “Day/Night in Frankfort”.

 

  

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  Attend the Next Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus Meeting On February 20th  
 

The Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus hosts 2 public meetings during the 2010 General Assembly Session. The purpose is to provide a forum for our constituents to offer input on issues during the 2010 Legislative Session of the General Assembly.

 

The first meeting was held on January 23rd in Warsaw, KY. Approximately 40 Kentuckians attended the meeting along with the majority of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus. Those in attendance provided their feedback on specific bills being considered by the legislature as well as offering ideas on how to best handle the state’s budget deficit.

 

All persons attending and signing-in prior to the start of the meetings will have a chance to be heard on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum of time allotted for each person will depend on the number signed-in. Multiple individuals talking on the same topic may be required to select one spokesperson for the entire group.

Details for the next caucus meeting:

Saturday, February 20, 2010
Boone County High School
7056 Burlington Pike
Florence, KY 41042 

  

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  Information You Can ACT On  
 

The purpose of the Capitol Update is to inform you about how legislation in Frankfort affects our community and, most importantly, give you an easy way to ACT. As a result of this weekly e-mail newsletter we urge you to phone your legislator, using the Toll Free 1-800-372-7181 Message Line. When using this message line, you will not be connected to speak directly with your legislator. Instead, this simple service allows to you leave a brief 30-second or 45-second message with a live operator, who will complete a “green slip” that each House and Senate member reviews on a frequent basis. Short messages are the most effective: “This is John Smith, and I live at 111 Maple Street in Erlanger. Would you please inform Representative Jones that I support HB 40, and ask that he support it, too.”    

 

Know that your legislators WANT to hear from you. Unclear who your legislators are or want to join the Grassroots Network? If you are, contact Jane Moore at 859-578-6391 or jmoore@nkychamber.com.

 

  

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  Northern Kentucky Chamber's Grassroots Network Needs YOU!  
 



 

A central, key mission of the NKY Chamber is to actively advocate for our membership with the State Legislature. That’s why the Chamber has put an emphasis on building our grassroots efforts this year. The Chamber’s Grassroots Network is growing every day and we’re up to 600 members – a 40% increase since October. Our legislators WANT and NEED to hear from you. That’s why it is critical that you engage in the process and contact your legislators.

 

The biggest hurdle to engaging in grassroots advocacy is that many members are not experts on the issues. This year, we launched www.ActForNKY.com so that our members can have easy access to all the Chamber’s public policy positions so that they can be better educated on the issues.

 

“Member education is the most critical component to having a successful grassroots program. ActForNKY.com will be the main portal by which the Chamber will educate and empower our members on key issues so that they have all the information they need to play an active role in shaping public policy,” explained Greg Greene, vice chairman of the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Council.

 

Chamber members may register for the Grassroots Initiative with Chamber staff member Jane Moore.  There is no cost to register.  Contact Jane at 859-578-6386 or jmoore@nkychamber.com.

  

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  Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's Priorities for the 2010 Kentucky General Assembly  
 

Promote Business Growth and Job Creation

  • Lower Business Taxes in Order to Keep Northern Kentucky’s Businesses Competitive
  • Lower Health Care Costs on Businesses and Promote a Wellness Agenda
  • Give Businesses Flexibility to Manage the Needs of Their Workforce by Promoting Balanced Labor Laws
  • Keep Kentucky’s Energy Costs Low and Promote Conservation and New Technologies

 

Employ Sound Fiscal Policy

  • Enact Meaningful Pension Reform That Will Protect Other Essential State Services
  • Support a Moratorium on Prevailing Wage for All Education Projects
  • Study Government Services and Prioritize Spending to Increase Efficiencies

 

Seek High Return on Investment and Equity for Northern Kentucky

  • Support Long-Term Investment in Northern Kentucky by Advancing the Consensus Agenda
  • Enact Economic Development Policies that Keep Kentucky Competitive
Support Our Families and Strengthen The Community By Making Strong Investments in Northern Kentucky’s Educational System

Click here to view the Chamber's 2010 Where We Stand publication.		  

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  Remind me: Who Is My Legislator?  
 

If you are asking yourself this question, the Chamber staff can give you an answer - and quickly!

 

The Chamber is using a computerized electronic system called Voter Voice, which will flawlessly provide us with the name of your State Representative or State Senator. 

 

All we need from YOU is your residential address and zip code, it’s that easy.

 

Contact Jane Moore (859) 578-6391 or jmoore@nkychamber.com 

 

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  Pending Legislation  
 

Remember: log on to www.lrc.ky.gov and then click on the 2010 General Assembly to access summaries and updates on the following legislation, even full text copies of the actual bills.

 

There are currently 335 House Bills and 119 Senate Bills. 

 

The following is a list of bills that are either sponsored or co-sponsored by a member of the Northern Kentucky Caucus:

 

(* denotes primary sponsorship of Bills and Resolutions)

 

Senator Ernie Harris                         SB 105

                                                            SR 13, 21, 38, 57*, 60, 80

Senator John Schickel                     SB 3, 19*, 20*, 24, 32*, 38, 47*, 48*, 60*, 73*, 105

                                                            SCR 43

                                                            SR 6*, 13, 21, 38, 42*, 48, 49, 54, 58*, 60, 73*

Senator Katie Stine                          SB 38*

                                                            SJR 5*, 12*

                                                            SR 13, 21, 38, 48, 54, 60

Senator Damon Thayer                    SB 3, 21*, 25*, 38, 40*, 51, 55, 72*, 82*, 87*, 105

                                                            SCR 43

                                                            SR 10*, 13, 21, 28*, 29*, 38, 47*, 48, 54, 60

                                                            SB 87: SCA (1)

Senator Jack Westwood                 SB 3, 5, 28*, 29, 30, 31, 38, 40, 51 65

                                                            SR 13, 21, 38, 48, 54, 60

Representative Royce Adams        HB 1, 58, 120 206*

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Joe Fischer            HB 87, 128, 178*, 253, 254*, 285, 325

                                                            HCR 10

                                                            HJR 20*

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 53*, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Dennis Keene        HB 1, 43, 58*, 59*, 60*, 123, 159, 160, 170, 217, 233, 243, 276, 288, 
                         299, 325

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Thomas Kerr          HB 1: HFA(1), 14, 87, 123, 128, 188*, 217, 236*, 285, 302, 316*, 325

                                                            HCR 10

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Adam Koenig         HB 187: HFA (1), (2), 58, 62, 69, 87, 123, 128, 153, 160, 187, 211*,  
                                                            212*, 254, 276*, 309*

                                                            HCR 10, 43*, 110

                                                            HR 6, 24, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Thomas McKee     HB 142: HFA (1), 1, 14, 58, 96, 142*, 160, 197, 198, 207*, 243, 302, 
                                                            308*, 318*, 327*

                                                            HJR 34

                                                            HR 6*, 29, 30, 37*, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 88*

Representative Rick Rand               HB 58, 223*, 231, 256, 290*, 291*, 292*, 293*, 302, 319*, 342*

                                                            HJR 69*, 70*, 71*

                                                            HR 6, 29, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Sal Santoro             HB 1, 14, 19, 26, 55, 58, 61, 62, 87, 109, 111, 120, 123, 128, 159, 
                                                            160, 199, 207*, 211, 237, 253, 256, 262*, 296, 302, 325

                                                            HCR 10, 110*

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Arnold Simpson     HB 16, 26*, 29*, 69, 70, 71*, 118, 146, 160, 162*, 217, 298*, 325*, 
                                                            335*, 336*

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington          HB 19, 22, 26, 55, 61, 62, 87, 116, 128, 159, 186, 196, 217, 256, 
                                                            287, 325

                                                            HCR 10

                                                            HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

Representative Addia Wuchner      HB 14, 19, 22, 26, 52*, 55, 61, 62, 87, 109*, 128, 159, 160, 217, 253,
                                                            254, 285*, 307, 325

                                                            HCR 10*, 110*

                                                            HR 6, 24, 29, 30, 48*, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81

 

Senate

 

Education:

 

SB 69.  (K. Winters) AN ACT relating to incentives for teachers and making an appropriation therefor. Provides for incentive pay and an accelerated certification program for teachers of chemistry, physics or math. Chamber supports. To Senate Education Committee  

 

Economic Development:  

 

SB 21. (D. Thayer) AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky and amending a section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to the Kentucky state lottery. Chamber Supports To Senate State and Local Government Committee 

 

Environment and Energy:

 

SB 26. (B. Leeper) AN ACT relating to nuclear power. Eliminates the current prohibition on nuclear facilities. Chamber Supports. To Senate Rules Committee – Passed Senate 27 – 10. To House Appropriations & Revenue Committee

 

 

HOUSE

 

Education:

 

HB 52. (A. Wuchner) An act relating to physical activity for schoolchildren; develop reporting mechanism for K-5 schoolchildren; require school wellness councils to provide for at least 30 minutes each day or 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Chamber support.  To House – Education Committee.

 

HB 94. (R. Meeks) Amend KRS 159.010 to provide that effective July 1, 2011, compulsory school attendance shall be between the ages of six and seventeen; provide that effective July 1, 2012, compulsory school attendance shall be between the ages of six and 18. Chamber Supports. To House – Education Committee

 

HB 140. (B. Yonts) Provide that effective July 1, 2012, compulsory school attendance shall be between the ages of six and 17; provide that effective July 1, 2013, compulsory school attendance shall be between the ages of six and 18.  Chamber Supports.  To House – Education Committee.

 

Health Care:

 

HB 165. (R. Damron) Amend KRS 344.040 to allow employers to charge smokers a higher rate for an employer-sponsored health plan and to offer incentives for smoking cessation. Chamber Supports. To House Banking & Insurance - To Consent Calendar with committee amendment. Passed House 99 – 0. Received in Senate

 

Taxation:

 

HB 146. (M. Cherry) Require that two of the three members appointed by the Governor to the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees possess ten years of investment experience and to define investment experience. Chamber Supports. To House – State Government Committee

 

HR, Employment & Labor: 

    

HB 133. (T. Riner)  Define "comparable worth" and use term to prohibit wage discrimination against a person of the opposite sex who is paid less for doing a job of comparable worth. Chamber opposes.  To House – Labor & Industry Committee.

 

 		  

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  Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus  
 

To leave a message for your legislator call: 1-800-372-7181

Senator Ernie Harris
District 26 (Carroll, Henry,
Jefferson, Oldham, Trimble)
ernie.harris@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: Agriculture; A & R;  State & Local Government; Transportation (Chair)
Senator John Schickel
District 11 (Boone, Kenton)
john.schickel@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: Banking & Insurance; Judiciary; Licensing; Occupations & Administrative Regulations; Natural Resources & Energy; State & Local Government (Vice Chair); Transportation



 		  
Senator Katie Kratz Stine
District 24 (Campbell, Pendleton)
katie.stine@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Committee on Committees; Enrollment;  Economic Dev/Tourism & Labor; Health & Welfare, Judiciary (Vice Chair); Natural Resources & Energy; Rules
 
Senator Damon Thayer
District 17 (Grant, Kenton, 
Owen, Scott)
damon.thayer@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Agriculture; Licensing; Occupations & Administrative Regulations; State & Local Government; Transportation		  
Senator John "Jack" Westwood
District 23 (Kenton)
jack.westwood@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: A & R;  Economic Development; Judiciary; Tourism & Labor; Education; Health & Welfare; Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection


  
 
Representative Royce Adams
District 61 (Grant, Gallatin, Owen)
royce.adams@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Agriculture & Small Business (Vice Chair); A & R; Tourism Dev/Energy


  

Representative Alecia Webb-Edgington
District 63 (Kenton)
alecia.webb-edgington@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: A & R; Education; Military Affairs & Public Safety; State Government; Transportation



 		  
Representative Joe Fischer
District 68 (Campbell)
joe.fischer@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Banking & Insurance; Elec/ConAm/Intgovt Aff (Vice Chair); Judiciary (Vice Chair)
 
Representative Dennis Keene
District 67 (Campbell)
dennis.keene@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Economic Development (Vice Chair); Licensing & Occupations (Chair); Banking & Insurance; Local Government


  
Representative Thomas R. Kerr
District 64 (Kenton)
tom.kerr@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Economic Development; Judiciary, Labor & Industry; Tourism Development & Energy




 		  
Representative Adam Koenig
District 69 (Boone, Campbell, Kenton)
adam.koenig@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: Local Government (Vice Chair); Banking & Insurance; Economic Development; Labor & Industry; Licensing & Occupations
 
Representative Thomas McKee
District 78 (Campbell, Harrison, Pendleton, Robertson)
tom.mckee@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: Ag & Small Business (Chair); Local Government; Tourism Dev/Energy





 		  
Representative Rick Rand
District 47 (Carroll, Henry, Oldham, Trimble)
randins@netscape.net
Committees: A & R (Chair)









  
Representative Sal Santoro
District 60 (Boone)
sal.santoro@lrc.ky.gov 
Committees: Licensing & Occupations; Seniors, Military Affairs & Public Safety; State Government; Transportation







 
 
Representative Arnold Simpson
District 65 (Kenton)
arnold.simpson@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: A & R (Vice Chair);  Banking & Insurance; Licensing & Occupations; Local Government; Rules; Transportation

  
Representative Addia Wuchner
District 66 (Boone)
addia.wuchner@lrc.ky.gov
Committees: Education; Economic Development; Health & Welfare; Tourism Dev/Energy




 		  

 

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 		 January 29, 2010

     
Take Action or Contact Legislators:
Click here to be directed to ActForNKY.com.
     
Where We Stand:
www.ActForNKY.com
     
Useful Links:
LRC Website
Bill Watch
     
Staff Contacts:


Matt Davis
Vice President
Business & Community Advocacy
859.578.6386


Jane Moore
Coordinator
Business & Community Advocacy
859.578.6391
     
Past Issues:

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