Meredith Files Bills to Raise Pay for Public Safety Workers; Expand Access to Military License Plates

3/4/2016

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 4, 2016)- Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Brownsville, filed bills this week to take care of two of our most important citizen groups, public safety workers and veterans. Rep. Meredith’s public safety worker legislation addresses the lack of increase in incentive pay for paid police and firefighters, and also support for volunteer fire departments. House Bill 526 would raise training incentive pay for paid police and firefighters to $4,000 per year, and would raise the allotment for qualifying volunteer fire departments to $11,000 per year. Currently, paid police officers and firefighters receive a $3,100 annual stipend, and qualified volunteer fire departments are allotted $8,250 per year in state aid.

“Our public safety workers are vital to our communities, and we must make them a priority,” said Meredith. “These incentives come from a restricted fund that has long been able to fund these raises. However, previous Governors have swept these restricted funds to supplement the General Fund. With Governor Bevin’s decision to not sweep these funds, it is the right time to provide these increases.”

Additionally, Rep. Meredith filed House Bill 547, which expands access to Kentucky’s military license plate program to ensure access for every interested veteran.

“If you have served your country, you should be able to get a veteran’s license plate,” said Rep. Meredith. “HB 547 will ensure veterans don’t fall through the cracks anymore due to arbitrary requirements for participation in the program. American military members and their families should be guaranteed full access to these programs.”

Currently, Kentucky’s military license plate program requires a series of qualifications that open up the possibility of denial to those who have served. Rep. Meredith’s bill would simplify the process and grant access to the program if an individual was an active component member, a retired member, received a discharge under honorable conditions, or is a veteran’s widow. Under the current law, a veteran would have to serve at least 24 months active duty or be discharged under a disability, injury or hardship, keeping some military reservists from being able to take part in the program.

2 Comments

Tim Skees

3/4/2016 04:24:22 pm

Rep Meredith,
PLEASE SUPPORT HB494, which creates a " Certified" and an " Uncertified" Constable position. This will address MANY issues and public concerns of Ky Constables and will FORCE them to TRAIN like professionals, or NOT be allowed to do anything other than hold the title.
This bill will allow and REQUIRE Constables to receive TRAINING .

We hear many say" constables are not trained."
Well, HERE, is the bill asking for that VERY TRAINING !!
Let's support this and get rid of the inept clowns with no support from the public and preserve and train those who wish to serve with integrity and professionalism !

Support HB494 today !

3/4/2016 04:31:19 pm

As a firefighter of several Vol. Fire Depts, I'm sure I speak for all, when I say THANK YOU for what you have done and continue to try to do for Kentucky's VOLUNTEER Firefighters. Vol. Firefighters go unappreciated by many politicians, and some people, until their property is in need. Then they speak highly of Vols. We need to show respect and thanks to Ky's Volunteers ALL the time.

THANK YOU again, for your continued support, Rep Meredith !!

You are, as when you first ran for office, A PERSON OF YOUR WORD.

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​Meredith Files Bills to Raise Pay for Public Safety Workers; Expand Access to Military License Plates