Darren Doyle, story:
Sara Hurst, a student at Edmonson County High School, has been selected to represent Brownsville, KY as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2020 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.

Sara is a junior at ECHS, where she is a member of the Beta, Math, and Science Clubs. She holds special interests in both reading and writing and hopes to become an author and journalist after high school.

Hurst joins a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media. Hurst was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies.

National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media. The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well-known leaders in the media community. Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers, and recent college graduates successfully entering the field. Past speakers have included Hoda Kotb from NBC, Brian Lamb from C-SPAN, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Carol Guzy, and Sonya Ross from the Associated Press.

Sara credited several community businesses and residents for donating to the costs of her trip that included: Rhonda Clemmons, Lensey Collins, C&C Firearms, Dairy Queen, Mutts N Suds Pet Grooming, Jacob's Log Furniture, and Bank of Edmonson County, in addition to family and friends.

"I've already made so many friends through a group chat we created to get to know each other before the conference. I am so excited and can't wait until July," she said. 

A statement from the conference said, "With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference offers aspiring journalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience. The week long program, held at George Mason University’s state-of-the-art campus, will encourage and inspire young leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry."

Sara is the daughter of Christina Hurst of Brownsville.

The Washington Journalism and Media Conference will be held July 19 to 24, 2020.

The Edmonson County Baseball/Softball Board has extended the signups for the 2020 youth league season for Saturday, February 29, 2020.

This will be the final signup day for the 2020 season. 

The board will be available at both the Parks and Rec Office at HWY 70 Ballpark and South Edmonson Elementary from 9am until noon, and the EC 5/6 Center from 9am until 2pm.

For more information, please send the board a direct message via their Facebook Page.

by: Representative Michael Lee Meredith
​​Throughout my time in the Kentucky House, I have made this district my top legislative priority. When I go to work, I go to work for our families and our future. Throughout my time in Frankfort, I have supported policies aimed at growing our economy, protecting life, defending our most vulnerable, and preserving Kentucky values. This week the House passed legislation that I believe will do just that by making changes to how our public assistance programs serve our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. 
 
Kentucky has one of the lowest workforce participation rates in our nation, which means too many Kentuckians who should be working, are not. The number of people on our Medicaid program adds up to more than twice the number of children we have in our classrooms. Overall, almost 30 percent of our 4.5 million people are on some type of public assistance.
 
HB 1 is the first step towards turning “benefit cliffs” into true “safety nets”. What is a benefit cliff? It is the term used to describe what happens when public benefits end as household earnings increase. The abrupt loss of benefits can actually set families back because even though household earnings increased, they do not increase enough to keep pace with benefits that are being lost.  Many times this leads to a situation where entering the workforce is a negative for the individuals and their families who have been served by these programs.  
 
This measure is based on the idea that if public assistance programs are going to work, there must be accountability – for both the people they serve and the people who fund them. These programs were created to provide temporary assistance to help those in need get back on their feet and reach economic stability. However, over time we have spent billions and yet many of the programs are not reaching those goals. It is time for a fundamental change in how we approach public assistance. We must hold these programs accountable to the taxpayers who pay for them, and the people they serve.
The bill preserves exemptions for pregnant mothers, the elderly, and others who are unable to work.  It does, however, tackle drug abuse as a reason for unemployment by emphasizing drug treatment and available funding to pay for it. HB 1 requires Medicaid beneficiaries convicted of a drug-related charge to enroll in substance abuse treatment within 90 days of release from incarceration. This treatment could be paid for by money available through a substance use disorder waiver.
 
HB 1 also makes decreasing fraud and misuse a priority. A part of the bill places all public assistance payments that an individual receives on one EBT card. This should not only make it easier for a recipient to keep track of the card, but also prevent those who want to take advantage of their benefits from selling or trading it for something. The bill also allows the state to eliminate eligibility for all public assistance programs for individuals found to be trafficking in EBT cards on more than one occasion. It restricts the use of cash withdrawn from an EBT card to only the purchase of goods and services necessary for the welfare of the family. The HCS codifies federal prohibitions on the use of cash benefits to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or vaping products; goods or services at a casino or adult entertainment establishment; and services from tattoo or body piercing facilities.
 
I want to stress that custodial parents who lose benefits because of fraud or misuse can reassign child benefits to another person – we do not want to add to the suffering any child might face due to the irresponsibility of a parent.
 
I mentioned earlier that the goal for this bill is to eliminate the barriers that keep people from getting and keeping a job. Health insurance is a huge expense for all of us, but many people remain on Medicaid – and unemployed - only to keep their insurance. With HB 1, we are directing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to explore funding and implementation options for creating a “bridge” insurance plan to provide health insurance coverage to those entering the work force through expanded time-limited eligibility for Medicaid.
 
In addition to public assistance reform, we addressed several other important issues this week.  The House passed a measure that will have a positive impact on roughly 500,000 Kentuckians.  House Bill 12 would limit out-of-pocket costs for insulin prescriptions. The legislation mandates the cost of insulin would be capped at $100 per prescription for a 30-day insulin supply. The cap would apply to people with commercial health insurance plans.
 
HB 136, which would legalize cannabis for medical use, also received approval in the House this week.  Let me be very clear, I have never supported the recreational use of marijuana.  In fact, I have been reluctant to support prior proposals on medical cannabis. However, research has proven that patients with certain medical conditions can benefit from treatment with cannabis. This particular proposal, along with some of the added amendments, strikes an appropriate balance of serving those patients without going too far. The bill would prohibit the smoking of cannabis but would allow other forms of consumption, such as edibles, oils, and tinctures.  The bill requires that patients have a bona-fide relationship with a recommending doctor and they would have to receive consultation from a licensed pharmacist on possible interactions with other prescriptions they may be taking before receiving a card identifying them as eligible for the program.  The bill creates a licensing process for producers, processor and those that sell these products.  The bill also establishes an electronic monitoring system that would track the sale of these products to prevent misuse.  If passed in the Senate, Kentucky will be the 34th state to legalize medical cannabis and we will have one of the most strictly regulated programs in the nation.
 
As always, if you have any questions or comments about this session, I can be reached during the week from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (EST) through the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at [email protected]. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at legislature.ky.gov. 

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
​The Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., recently honored Brownsville resident Ricky Skaggs with Silver-level membership in the exclusive 2019 Honda Council of Sales leadership.

Ricky has been serving Honda customers for 28 years at Gary Force Honda. This is the 16th time he has achieved membership in the Council of Sales Leadership.

Honda recognizes and rewards high-performing consultants in the Council of Sales Leadership program, an annual recognition initiative that promotes excellence in sales achievement, customer treatment, and professional development. More than 15,000 sales consultants participate in the program nationwide and only 2,230 achieved Silver membership. 

submitted flyer:

Optional entry donations go to support local Family Resource Center and Youth Services Center:

by Senator Steve Meredith:
​We began the week by remembering our founding fathers and the noble leaders who helped shape our great nation. On Presidents Day, we salute all U.S. Presidents, past and present, especially Kentucky’s son, Abraham Lincoln. 

If you’ve visited the Capitol, you may remember the grand statue of President Lincoln in the rotunda. There is a century-old tradition of rubbing his left boot for good luck. Especially popular during the session months, lawmakers and visitors frequently touch the statue as they pass through the rotunda. While the hustle and bustle of the session could always use a little more positivity and luck, the statue serves as a daily reminder of Lincoln’s remarkable leadership and moral courage he displayed as a lawmaker, the type of Kentuckian we should all aspire to be.

Week seven marks the halfway point of the 2020 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.  For the past couple of months, I, along with my colleagues in the Senate and House, have been working diligently to pass legislation on a wide variety of issues facing Kentuckians and our Commonwealth. With a little fewer than 30 days left in the session, we want to make sure that we are maximizing our time here in Frankfort. 

There was no shortage of bill movement in Senate committees and the chamber this week. The State & Local Government Committee heard testimony and passed several constitutional amendments including Senate Bill (SB) 58, which would limit the Governor’s ability to grant pardons beginning 30 days prior to a gubernatorial election and ending at that gubernatorial inauguration. SB 62 would grant persons convicted of a felony other than a sex offense, a violent offense, or an offense against a child, the right to vote five years after completion of sentence.

Also passing through the Senate State & Local Government Committee was SB 15, also known as “Marsy’s Law.” This constitutional amendment and national effort is no stranger to the Kentucky General Assembly, having been passed in 2018 with bipartisan support. Similar to the previous bill, SB 15 would require victims of crime to be notified throughout the judicial process. This year’s bill adds in the requirement that victims must be notified in advance of any pardon or commutation of a sentence, which is not currently required by law.

The Senate passed another priority measure this week. SB 4 is a bill that serves to depoliticize the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Governors in the past have utilized KYTC as leverage when allocating funding for road projects. SB 4 would codify into law the previous administration's Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT) initiative, a data-driven, objective approach to compare capital improvement projects and prioritize limited transportation funds. SB 4 would establish a diverse Transportation Board which would be responsible for recommending the state road plan to the Kentucky General Assembly. However, legislators would still make the ultimate decision on the state's six-year road budget. SB 4 would also provide necessary oversight over the appointment of the Cabinet Secretary. Board members, in coordination with various organizations such as the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky League of Cities, would nominate three well-qualified Secretary Candidates for the Governor to choose from. 

So as to avoid any concerns that the bill was politically motivated, SB 4 was filed last year prior to the 2019 Governor’s election. Any concerns about the bill and proposed changes can and should be discussed in the House. We are all very blessed to be in such a position that we can debate and develop good policy on behalf of the people of Kentucky. It’s a responsibility that I do not take for granted and I know the same is true for my fellow lawmakers. 
 
Passing in the Senate with bipartisan support was SB 50. This is a technical measure regarding pharmacy benefits and seeks to remedy unfair practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) within the Medicaid program. SB 50 tackles many issues including preferred drug lists, reimbursement methodology, and dispensing fees within Medicaid managed care.  SB 50 would provide transparency by requiring the contracted PBM to disclose any potential conflict-of-interest with the state Medicaid department, managed care organizations, pharmacies and other groups involved in the pharmaceutical industry. Also, the PBM would have to disclose any fees it imposes on pharmacies.
 
The amended version of SB 50 would protect a nearly 30-year-old federal arrangement, titled the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide drugs to some health care organizations, such as Kentucky’s rural hospitals, at significantly reduced prices.

Other bills moving to the House for consideration are: 

SB 91 protects patients and healthcare providers from harmful surgical smoke by requiring licensed health facilities that use energy generating devices (tools using heat, laser, or electricity) to use a smoke evacuation system during any surgical procedure that produces surgical smoke. 

SB 103 would exempt some agricultural buildings on farms of five acres or more from certain sewage disposal and plumbing requirements. This would not include residential buildings or structures within a city’s limits. Currently, the farm has to be at least 10 acres or more to qualify for the exemption.

SB 111 would require, upon the family’s approval, the American flag to be draped over the casket of a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services provider or coroner killed in the line of duty. SB 111 would apply when the first-responder’s body is returned from the medical examiner’s office. The bill also states a coroner should professionally transport the remains according to the family’s wishes.

SB 134 would establish the Optometry Scholarship Program to provide students the opportunity to attend an optometry school and become a certified practitioner in Kentucky. A minimum of one-third of the amount spent on scholarships would be awarded to students attending the Kentucky College of Optometry at the University of Pikeville. The remaining amount could be spent on scholarships to out-of-state institutions. SB 134 would also create a trust fund for the program.

Thank you for your calls, emails, and visits to the Capitol. With more than 30 days of the legislative session behind us, our main focus will continue to be the state budget and road plan as we lay out the Commonwealth’s financial path for the next two years. 
​
If you know a student who would enjoy a day in Frankfort learning about state government and the legislative process, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at [email protected]. I invite you to reach out to me on any other matter of importance to you as well. Don’t forget; you can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

by: Representative Michael Meredith
Week six of the 2020 Regular Session allowed legislators an opportunity to work on several critical issues, including public health, our public pension, and criminal justice legislation. I have shared some information about the bills we passed in this week’s update. Of course, I always look forward to hearing from my district, so please feel free to reach out using the contact information at the end of this article.
 
This week, the House approved HB 129, legislation that seeks to transform the way that public health services are delivered. The bill changes how local health departments approach the programs they offer by placing a priority on essential services they are mandated to provide. HB 129 has broad support from public health departments across the state. Paying for public health has become a struggle in many of our communities. The state’s 81 public health departments face an almost $39 million deficit. Additionally, an estimated 18 face closure if they do not immediately deal with their financial problems. This would spell disaster for the 41 counties they serve. The majority of financial issues are directly related to their public pension costs. However, many within the public health system have brought forward concerns that new programs have been added over time, while the ongoing need for existing programs is rarely evaluated.
 
Health departments and other “quasi-governmental” agencies are also the topic of HB 171, which we approved this week. This bill is part of an ongoing effort to address our public pension crisis and provide relief to these “quasis" as we describe the public health departments, domestic violence shelters, and even our regional universities who participate in the Kentucky Employee Retirement System plan. During the 2019 Special Session, we passed legislation aimed at giving relief to quasi-governmental agencies that were struggling with the skyrocketing cost of their employee pension payments. HB 171 is based on the recommendations of the Public Pension Oversight Board and basically shifts how we base payments from a percentage of the payroll to the dollar value of how much they actually owe.
 
We also took action on two common sense pieces of legislation aimed at cleaning up criminal justice laws. We passed HB 327, which calls for the automatic expungement of criminal charges when someone has those charges dismissed or when a grand jury fails to indict them. One of the basic tenets of our criminal justice system is that we are innocent until proven guilty, so it is incredible to me that this is not already happening.
 
If it becomes law, HB 284 would establish credits for men and women who complete GED, vocational/technical education, or drug treatment programs while on probation. The program credit should incentivize those who have committed crimes to pursue a path that helps them find an alternative to further criminal activity and allow them to contribute positively to their communities.
 
We also took an opportunity to honor our Family Resource and Youth Services Centers and the men and women who staff them. The bill, HB 241, designates the second Wednesday in February as Family Resource and Youth Services (FRYSC) day. It is just seven short lines, but HB 241 conveys the respect that the House has for this group of educators and the work they do in our public schools. A product of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1994, FRYSCs basically plug both students and families into a network of resources and support to ensure that children can focus on learning. While they are not classroom teachers, the work they do has a direct impact on how well our children do in school.
 
The House Committee on Education is preparing more legislation for House consideration. This week, committee members approved legislation that would further expand the 529 educational savings plan uses. Under the provisions of House Bill 331, 529 educational savings plans could be used for tuition on any qualified education loan for the account’s beneficiary or sibling. If passed, 529 accounts could also pay for fees, books, supplies, and equipment for participation in any Department of Labor registered and certified apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are driven by the needs of the job market and allow students to develop skills and prepare to enter the workforce. Examples include everything from mechanics to nursing aides. When they finish, they walk away with a nationally-recognized credential. We know that the traditional four-year college path is not for everyone. Good-paying careers should be equally available to those who want to pursue apprenticeships. This bill makes it easier to do just that.
 
As always, if you have any questions or comments about this session, I can be reached during the week from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (EST) through the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at [email protected]. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at legislature.ky.gov.

​Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Nominations for the WKU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences’ first-ever Distinguished Educator Awards opened today.

The awards will celebrate the individual and significant contributions educators make to the teaching profession. From literacy to innovation, WKU will recognize 10 P-12 educators within the university’s service region based on their inspiring solutions in the classroom.

“There are never enough opportunities to say ‘thank you’ and recognize the work of our Kentucky teachers,” said Corinne Murphy, Dean of WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “Our goal is to ensure these community mentors and leaders understand WKU’s appreciation for their continued contributions to students.”

On April 14, 2020, WKU officials will recognize finalists and category winners at an awards ceremony held at the WKU Augenstein Alumni Center. Category winners will each receive a $200 cash prize and a commemorative plaque. Additionally, a perpetual plaque in the Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame will feature the winners’ names for years to come.

Each school district may nominate up to 10 educators, which includes Edmonson County. All submissions will require a letter of recommendation about the nominee. For more information, visit https://www.wku.edu/cebs/educatorawards.php or email Stephanie Martin at [email protected]. The deadline for entry is Feb. 28, 2020.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Local farmer Royce Vincent was inducted into the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame at an annual ceremony in Owensboro on January 17, 2020.

Each year, the KCA chooses one recipient from each region in Kentucky. Edmonson County is part of Region 2, which also covers Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Barren, Warren, Metcalfe, Simpson, and Butler Counties. 

Mr. Vincent and his wife Dot, have lived in Edmonson County for most all of their adult lives. He served as president of the Edmonson County Cattlemen's Association for 17 years. Current local secretary/treasurer Scott Childress said the organization grew steadily under Vincent's leadership.

"Royce always worked to help Edmonson County farmers and make our association family oriented," he said. "Edmonson County never had the biggest, but our association has always grown. We've got 100-plus members now and Royce has a whole lot to do with that."

Video presentation from the ceremony in Owensboro

Childress said Vincent's HOF induction is not to be taken lightly.

"They don't give these awards out to just anybody," he added. "To be chosen for this, you have to be someone that has made a huge impact over a number of years in the areas of agri-business or the beef industry. There's certainly no one more deserving than Royce Vincent."

The Edmonson County Cattlemen's Association meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Edmonson County Library at 6:30pm. The public is invited to attend to hear a special presentation and enjoy a sponsored meal.

submitted flyer:

submitted flyer: