THE EDMONSON VOICE
  • Home
  • News
  • Community
    • VOICE Calendar >
      • About VOICE Calendar
    • County Schools Calendar
  • Obits
  • Sports
    • WildcatsLive/Schedules
    • Recorded Game Videos
  • Weather
  • Features
    • Opinion
    • Ask Mongoose
    • Legal/Professional Policy
    • Our Staff
    • Contest Rules
    • Our Sponsors
  • FAQs
Picture
Edmonson County's Number One Source For Local News and Information
Picture

Legislative Update With Rep. Meredith, Transparency, Budget, Education, Healthcare, & More

2/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
by State Rep. Michael Lee Meredith
This week in Frankfort, House Republicans worked hard to promote something we all should value, transparency in government. Our caucus attempted to bring the first reading on Senate Bill 45. It would require public disclosure of all retirement benefits for all current and past legislators. The bill passed the Senate earlier this session by a margin of 38-0, with all members voting. Unfortunately, the bill has not enjoyed the same success in the House.  We have not even had an opportunity to have discussion on the floor.

It is important for Kentuckians to have the ability to know what their elected officials are doing in Frankfort.  That includes the public pensions they will be collecting. Public pension transparency remains a priority, and I will work to see positive action toward that end.

On a high note, the Senate passed the first House Bill of the 2016 Regular Session this week. House Bill 175, my peace officer bill, passed unanimously and will now head to the Governor for his signature. It will be only the second piece of legislation signed into law by the Governor this session.

The budget process seems to go on forever.  The work of our subcommittees, which have been meeting for several weeks now, is a reminder that the process is working as it should. The Executive Branch budget is typically not voted on by the House budget committee until after the first week of March, as was the case during the 2012 and 2014 sessions. That is expected to be the case again this session. The budget subcommittees are expected to meet until then.

Education is always at the top of our list of priorities in a budget session. This year is particularly challenging with the more than $30 billion pension liability Kentucky faces. K-12 education comprises around 44 percent of all state General Fund spending, with postsecondary education claiming a share of around 14 percent. The next largest share of General Fund spending goes to health care—or, specifically, state Medicaid—which claims around 13 percent of General Fund appropriations as we strive to meet the needs of our citizens.
 
Given our attention to health care, it is not surprising when legislation designed to improve health care delivery in the Commonwealth receives support in the House.  This was the case last Monday when the House voted 94-0 to approve House Bill 163. This bill would create a new Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) law for Kentucky to improve the process by which registered and practical nurses both in our state and other states that are party to the NLC can practice in any NLC state under a multistate license. HB 163 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
 
As always, I welcome your comments and concerns on any issues facing our Commonwealth during the 2016 Regular Session. I can be reached through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181, or you can contact me via email at [email protected]. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.ky.gov.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    COMMENTING/LEGAL
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

COPYRIGHT 2014-2025.
HOME
NEWS 
COMMUNITY


OBITS
FEATURES
WEATHER
​​
WILDCATS LIVE
​
SPORTS
CONTACT
Copyright 2014-2025 The Edmonson Voice.
​The Edmonson Voice logos are registered trademarks.
Call or text: 270-597-6550 ​[email protected]
PO BOX 94
BROWNSVILLE, KY 42210
CLICK HERE FOR DEADLINE INFO

  • Home
  • News
  • Community
    • VOICE Calendar >
      • About VOICE Calendar
    • County Schools Calendar
  • Obits
  • Sports
    • WildcatsLive/Schedules
    • Recorded Game Videos
  • Weather
  • Features
    • Opinion
    • Ask Mongoose
    • Legal/Professional Policy
    • Our Staff
    • Contest Rules
    • Our Sponsors
  • FAQs