WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) announced the start of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for Kentucky’s Second District.

“I’m encouraging all high school students, who enjoy creating art, to participate in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. I enjoy hosting this competition each year, and I’m always impressed with the artistic talent of students in Kentucky’s Second District. Thank you to local educators and judges for helping make this year’s Congressional Art Competition possible,” said Guthrie.

Each spring, participating U.S. Representatives host the Congressional Art Competition in their respective district. The artworks of students from Kentucky’s Second District are judged by an independent and local panel of art professors from colleges and universities. The overall winner’s artwork from Kentucky’s Second District and other districts and territories will be featured in the U.S. Capitol. The second and third place overall winners’ artworks in Kentucky’s Second District will be displayed in Congressman Guthrie’s Bowling Green District office. All overall and county winners will be posted on Congressman Guthrie’s congressional website. The Congressional Institute will announce additional information on prizes on their website.

The Congressional Art Competition for Kentucky’s Second District also includes a “Facebook Favorite” competition. All students’ submitted artwork will be posted to Congressman Guthrie’s official Facebook page for the public to vote on between April 17-21, 2023, for their favorite artworks. The “Facebook Favorite” winner’s artwork will be displayed in Congressman Guthrie’s Bowling Green District office.

The winners of the Congressional Art Competition will be announced on April 24, 2023.

Students have three options to submit artwork to Congressman Guthrie’s Bowling Green District office by the deadline of April 14, 2023. Artwork can be shipped to or dropped off at Congressman Guthrie’s District office at:
Congressman Brett Guthrie
Attention: 2023 Art Competition
996 Wilkinson Trace, Suite B2
Bowling Green, KY 42103
 
Students can also call Congressman Guthrie’s District office at 270-842-9896 to make arrangements for a member of Congressman Guthrie’s staff to pick up artwork at the students’ schools.

Please contact Congressman Guthrie’s Bowling Green District Office at 270-842-9896 for questions.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey signed a congratulatory acknowledgement for each of the boys' and girls' basketball teams at ECHS for their recent accomplishments.

Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats won their respective District 12 Championships last week. It is the first time in school history that both the boys' and girls' teams have won the district title in the same year.

It was even more special as the tournament was hosted at ECHS this year.

Each team received their own signed acknowledgement, specific to their coaches and team members.

While both the Lady Cats and Wildcats ended their seasons this week with losses at the 3rd Region Tournament, they will each have permanent displays on the district championship banners in the ECHS gym.

by Michael Meredith:
We are now halfway through the 2023 Regular Session, and several pieces of House legislation have passed the chamber and are now in the Senate for further consideration. With the deadline to file new bills behind us, I look forward to the opportunity to catch my breath and spend time reviewing the bills that will be up for debate in committee and before the full House of Representatives. In the meantime, I want to remind you that you can keep up with legislative news by watching livestream coverage of House proceedings provided by Kentucky Educational Television, and live and archived footage of our committee meetings on YouTube @KYLRCCommitteeMeetings. Another great resource is the House Majority’s YouTube page, @KYHouseGOP. This week, I thought I might take some time to focus on some of the bills that passed the House this week.
 
HB 153: This bill would make Kentucky a Second Amendment sanctuary state and prohibit law enforcement agencies and officers, public agencies, public officials, or employees of a local government from enforcing federal firearm bans. It would also prevent any federal firearm regulations enacted after January 1, 2022, from being enforced with Kentucky tax dollars or tax-payer dollars.
 
HB 180: This bill would require health benefit plans to cover biomarker and pharmacogenetic screenings for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as other diseases. Genetic information allows for targeted treatment specific to the diagnosis.
 
HB 125: This measure would require the Department for Aging and Independent Living to work with the Department of Public Health and the Alzheimer's Association to provide up-to-date information on Alzheimer’s disease and the risk of cognitive decline in educational materials they distribute to the public.
 
HJR 39: This resolution directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) to review and implement programs to address the benefits cliff in Kentucky. These recommendations are a result of the 2022 Interim Benefits Cliff Task Force. Some of those include creating a benefits cliff calculator, looking at ways to tier benefits or gradually phase out benefits, and implementing an outreach program to increase awareness of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
 
As I mentioned, the last day to file bills for the 2023 session has come and gone, so I also wanted to explain a couple of those that were filed this week. A total of 594 bills were filed, but only a fraction will make it through the legislative process to become law.
 
HB 319 is aimed at helping bring qualified individuals into Kentucky classrooms by adopting the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, expanding the Teacher Scholarship Program, and establishing an online statewide job posting system. The mobility compact allows educators who hold a license in any eligible state to be granted an equivalent license in Kentucky. Regarding the Teacher Scholarship Program, HB 319 would eliminate the cap on awards available to individuals, allowing students the ability to receive more money towards their education. It also directs the Kentucky Department of Education to establish an online statewide job posting system for vacancies which streamlines the existing hiring process.
 
HB 538 would protect students and teachers and provide more authority in maintaining the educational process as well as improve the student well-being and safety for students, educators, and school staff. The measure gives schools more guidance and tools to combat disruption in the classroom, as well as giving the student who chronically misbehaves an opportunity to reassess his or her behavior.
 
As always, I can be reached here at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. Feel free to contact me via email at [email protected]. If you would like more information, please visit the legislature’s website at www.legislature.ky.gov.