Issue 5

     
Inside this issue
 
  22 Days Down and 38 to Go in the 2010 Regular Session!  
 

 

  

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  Time Running Out to Register for "Northern Kentucky Day in Frankfort" on Wednesday, Feb. 10  
 

February 10th will be a big day for Northern Kentucky businesses as nearly 50 Chamber members will travel to Frankfort to lobby on key business issues. The Consensus Agenda, economic development, health care, energy, labor, transportation and tax issues top the Chamber’s legislative agenda this year. The Chamber’s members, our best advocates, are poised to carry the message that what’s good for Northern Kentucky is good for the rest of the Commonwealth.

 

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; Justice Wil Schroder; and Adam Edelen, the Governor’s Chief of Staff. Later, however, several hundred Northern Kentuckians will travel to the best reception of the session - Northern Kentucky Night in Frankfort.
 

A chartered bus will leave the Chamber parking lot at 7:00 a.m. for Day in Frankfort and 3:30 p.m. for Night in Frankfort. 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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  Representatives Koenig and Kerr Help Advance Employer/Labor-Backed Unemployment Insurance Plan  
 

    
(Representative Kerr and Representative Koenig)


Thanks to Reps Koenig and Kerr for supporting HB 349 in the House Labor and Industry Committee this week. HB 349 offers a Kentucky solution to address the structural imbalances and growing deficit in the state’s unemployment insurance system. Without this plan, Kentucky’s employers will be subject to automatic federal tax increases that are far more onerous than the new financial structure.

 

This legislation represents unanimously adopted recommendations by the employer and labor communities that will save Kentucky employers more than $455 million in federal taxes through 2022. HB 349 will also save Kentucky employers and the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund more than $700 million over the next decade compared to a “do-nothing” approach, which will trigger automatic federal tax increases.

 

PLEASE CALL 1-800-372-7181 WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:

“My name is ________ and I live at (your address) in (your city/town). My Senator/Representatives are ____________. Please inform him/her that I SUPPORT HB 349, which will ensure stability to our unemployment insurance trust fund and, ultimately, lessen the burden on Kentucky’s job creators in the future.”

 

  

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  Budget Update  
 

    
(Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo & Senate President David Williams)

House Speaker Stumbo and Senate President Williams discussed the state’s budget at this week’s press conference. Stumbo called for having a budget ready for the Senate by the beginning of March. Both leaders agree that it will be a two year budget that comes forth and that Kentucky should not rely on a second round of federal stimulus.

 

Deep cuts to the budget are more and more likely as the prospects of any new revenue source from expanded gaming seem bleak.

 

A group of lawmakers continue to look at options for tax reform, although addressing that issue during the session remains a long shot.

 

  

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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 – we have a goal of 1,000 this year. 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. We also ask that you to encourage other employees to join our network. Go to www.actfornky.com to sign up!

 

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 or go to www.actfornky.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 381 House Bills and 140 Senate Bills. 

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

 

SB 67.  (K. Winters) To establish an option for early high school graduation beginning in the 2011-2012 school year; define the curriculum requirements for early graduation and unconditional admission into a Kentucky public two-year community and technical college and the requirements for conditional admission into a four-year public college. Chamber monitoring. To Senate Education Committee - reported favorably. To Rules Committee

 

Economic Development:  

 

SB 21. (D. Thayer) Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky section to permit the General Assembly to authorize by general law video lottery terminals in counties that have existing horse racing tracks upon voter approval in each of those counties. 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 building nuclear facilities. Chamber Supports. To Senate Rules Committee – Passed Senate 27 – 10. To House Appropriations & Revenue Committee

 

 

HOUSE

 

Economic Development:

 

HB 275. (T. Moore) To allow a job stimulus tax credit equal to the amount of tax deducted and withheld from wages paid by an employer to a qualifying employee. Chamber Monitoring. To House Appropriation & Revenue Committee.

 

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.

 

HB 322. (K. Stevens) Permit the superintendent to fill a principal vacancy in a school after consultation with the school council; require the superintendent to provide additional personnel applicants to the principal upon request. Chamber Supports. To House – Education Committee.

 

Environment and Energy:

 

HB 240. (R. Adkins) Reenacts legislation passed during the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly that establishes new energy efficiency standards for state-owned buildings and provides tax credits for various energy-related projects. Chamber Supports. To House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. Passed House 98 – 0. To Senate. Appropriations and Revenue 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. To Bank ing & Insurance Committee

 

 

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. To Consent Calendar.

 

HB 353. (S. Santoro) Create a new section of KRS Chapter 131 to require the Department of Revenue to establish a centralized collection process for local occupational license taxes and fees. Chamber Monitoring To House Appropriation & Revenue 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. Passed House 88 – 7. To Senate.

 

HB 314. (S. Lee) To provide definitions for provisions relating to the hiring of unauthorized aliens; prohibit persons transacting business with state or local governments and government agencies from hiring unauthorized aliens. Chamber Supports. To House. Labor & Industry Committee.

 

HB 349. (L. Clark) Adopt recommendations of the UI Task Force; amend 341.030 to increase the taxable wage base to $9,000 on January 1, 2012 and increase by $300 each year to 2022, not to exceed $12,000; amend KRS 341.096 to revise definition of rate of "insured unemployment rate" by basing it on the weekly average number of weeks claimed for regular benefits. Chamber Supports. Reported favorably from House Labor & Industry Committee.



 

 

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, 131*, 132*, 133*

                                                           SR 13, 21, 38, 48, 57*, 60, 80

Senator John Schickel                          SB 3, 19*, 20*, 24, 32*, 38, 47*, 48*, 60*, 73*, 105, 122*, 123

                                                           SCR 43

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

Senator Katie Stine                               SB 38*, 123*, 124*, 125*, 132*

                                                           SJR 5*, 12*

                                                           SR 13, 21, 38, 48, 54, 60, 100*

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), SFA(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*, 217

                                                           HCR 130

                                                           HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

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, 87

Representative Dennis Keene                HB 1, 43, 58*, 59*, 60*, 123, 159, 160, 170, 217, 233, 243, 276, 
                        288, 299, 325, 350, 351, 352, 368, 375, 384,  

                                                           HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

Representative Thomas Kerr                  HB 1: HFA(1), 14, 58, 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, 87, 123, 128, 153, 160, 187, 211*, 
                                                           212*, 254, 276*, 309*, 322, 387

                                                           HCR 10, 43*, 110

                                                           HR 6, 24, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

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

                                                           302, 308*, 318*, 327*, 365*, 378*

                                                           HCR 21, 130*

                                                           HJR 34

                                                           HR 6*, 29, 30, 37*, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 88*, 117*

Representative Rick Rand                      HB 58, 223*, 231, 256, 290*, 291*, 292*, 293*, 302, 319*, 342*, 
                                                           356, 357

                                                           HJR 69*, 70*, 71*

                                                           HR 6, 29, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

Representative Sal Santoro                    HB 1, 14, 19, 26, 55, 58, 61, 62, 87, 109, 111, 120, 123, 128, 
                                                           159, 160, 199, 207*, 211, 217, 237, 253, 256, 262*, 296, 302, 
                                                           315*, 325, 353*

                                                           HCR 10, 110*

                                                           HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

Representative Arnold Simpson              HB 298: HFA(1), (2), 16, 26*, 29*, 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, 387

                                                           HCR 10

                                                           HR 6, 29, 30, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

Representative Addia Wuchner              HB 14, 19, 22, 26, 52*, 55, 61, 62, 87, 109*, 128, 159, 160, 
                                                           217, 237, 253, 254, 285*, 307, 325

                                                           HCR 10*, 110*

                                                           HR 6, 24, 29, 30, 48*, 62, 68, 75, 76, 79, 81, 87

 

 

 

  

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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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 		 February 05, 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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