Kentucky business group gets behind industrial hemp bills, but hurdles remain

http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2013/01/11/industrial-hemp-bills-could-have-uphill-battle/

Eastern Kentucky lawmakers get key House committee appointments

http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2013/01/11/eastern-kentucky-lawmakers-get-key-house-committee-appointments/



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Gov. Beshear to address National Governors Association Policy Academy on Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of the Governor
MEDIA ADVISORY Jan. 14, 2013	Contact:	Kerri Richardson 502.564.2611 502.330.6633   Terry Sebastian 502.564.2611 502.229.6130

Gov. Beshear to address National Governors Association Policy Academy on Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse

 

 

WHO:	Gov. Steve Beshear
WHAT:	Remarks to National Governors Association Policy Academy on Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse
WHEN:	Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at 9:15 a.m. Eastern time
WHERE:	Capitol Annex, Room 154 Frankfort, Ky.   ###

 

 

LEGISLATIVE & POLITICAL NEWS FROM FRANKFORT, KY - January 8, 2013

Kentucky General Assembly Began Work Today

Kentucky's 2013 Legislative Session began today at Noon with leadership positions elected in both Chambers. The new Senate President Robert Stivers and Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer both made speeches on the floor concerning the issues of the upcoming session and set a tone of cooperation with minority party in the Senate , the House and the Governor. 

Senate Minority Floor Leader R.J. Palmer thanked the Senate President and Majority Floor Leader publicly for allowing Democratic members to serve on committees of their expertise. He concluded that their experience will allow the Senate to develop better solutions for the issues facing Kentucky.

SESSION ISSUES MENTIONED TODAY

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said we need to address Kentucky's Public Pension Reform this session and will file a bill. Speaker Greg Stumbo said we need to address Redistricting this session. 

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL FILED

Senator Perry Clark filed bills on medical marijuana. 

TEA PARTY PROTESTS TODAY

Approximately 50 Tea Party Advocated gathered at the Capitol today today to protest the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

HOUSE GOP WELCOMES 10 NEW MEMBERS

The Kentucky House boosted 10 new Republican Members today bringing their total to 44 of the 100 members of the House.

Leadership Races Decided Today SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP President: Robert Stivers President Pro Tem: Katie Stine Majority Floor Leader: Damon Thayer Majority Whip: Brandon Smith Caucus Chairman: Dan Seum DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP Minority Floor Leader: R.J. Palmer  Minority Whip: Jerry Rhoades Caucus Chairman: Johnny Ray Turner HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP Speaker:Greg Stumbo Speaker Pro Tem: Larry Clark Majority Floor Leader: Rocky Adkins Majority Whip: Tommy Thompson Caucus Chairman: Sannie Overly REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP Minority Floor Leader:Jeff Hoover Minority Whip: John Carney Caucus Chairman: Bob DeWeese

Senate Committees Appointed  SENATE BANKING & INSURANCE Chair: Tom Buford (R) Vice Chair: Jared Carpenter (R) Morgan McGarvey (D) Dennis Parrett (D) Julie Denton (R) Chris Girdler (R) Albert Robinson (R) Dan Seum (R) Brandon Smith (R) SENATE HEATLH & WELFARE Chair: Julie Denton (R) Vice Chair: David Givens (R) Julian Carroll (D) Perry Clark(D) Denis Harper Angel (D) Kathy Stein (D) Joe Bowen (R) Tom Buford (R) Jimmy Higdon (R) Alice Forgy Kerr (R) Katie Stine (R)

Upcoming Meetings

SENATE HEALTH & WELFARE 

Wednesday, January 9 @ 3:00 pm

Senator Julie Denton announced today that the Senate Health & Welfare will meet tomorrow at 3:00 pm in the Capital Annex. The committee will hear testimony from families of children that have been harmed while under the custody of the Cabinet For Health & Family Services.

HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE NAVIGATOR & AGENT SUBCOMMITTEE

Thursday, January 10 @ 1:30 pm

12 Mill Creek Park - Frankfort, KY

To see meeting materials after the meeting Click Here.

KENTUCKY CHAMBER PUBLIC POLICY DINNER

Thursday, January 10 @ 5:00 pm

Lexington Convention Center

5 p.m. Cocktails and Reception

6:30 p.m. Dinner 

LEGISLATIVE & POLITICAL NEWS FROM FRANKFORT KY - January 8, 2013

2013 Session Begins January 8

Kentucky's 2013 Legislative Session is a "short session." The 30 day session is intended to deal with issues other than the budget. The session begins on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 and recesses on Friday, January 11, 2013 until Tuesday, February 5, 2013. The purpose of next week's session is to allow legislators to conduct leadership elections, appoint committee members, and introduce bills. The current calendar calls for the session to sine die on March 26, 2013. They must conclude their business by March 30th. Click here to see the official 2013 Calendar.

Make Up of the General Assembly

Republican Senate - Democratic House

The House of Representatives continues to be controlled by Democrats (55-44 and 1 open seat). The Senate continues to be controlled by Republicans (23-14 and 1 Independent). Governor Steve Beshear is a Democrat.

Senator Robert Stivers will be the new Senate President and Representative Greg Stumbo is expected to be Speaker of th

e House.

The Senate Leadership was decided in November with the following members holding positions:

President: Robert Stivers

President Pro Tem: Katie Stine

Majority Floor Leader: Damon Thayer

Majority Whip: Brandon Smith

Caucus Chairman: Dan Seum

The House Democrats will hold elections in January. The following positions are rumored to have competitive races.Speaker Pro Tem: Incumbent Larry Clark & Challenger Arnold Simpson

Majority Whip: Incumbent Tommy Thompson & Challenger Johnny Bell

2013 Legislative Issues

There are several issues that the General Assembly is expected to deal with during the 2013 Legislative Session. These issues include:

Public Pension Reform: The Kentucky Retirement System (KRS) needs more than $30 billion to meet its current and future liabilities. The Pension Reform Task Force has issued a report recommending $300 million in funding.

(Click Here for Speaker Stumbo's Comments)

Tax Reform: The Tax Reform Task Force has met during the interim and issued a report that, if approved in its entirety, could raise an additional $700 million in revenue.

 (Click here for Senator Thayer's Comments)

Redistricting: Kentucky passed a redistricting plan in 2012 that was found to be unconstitutional  by the Kentucky Supreme Court. The General Assembly could delay action until 2014, but Speaker Stumbo says he prefers to deal with it this session. (Click here to read more)

Casino Gaming: Gaming has been a flagship issue for Governor Beshear and many believe that with the changes in Senate Leadership the issue may have a chance to pass. (Click here to read more)

Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange: Kentucky's Health Benefit Exchange was established by executive Order and myst be approved by the General Assembly. However, if they fail to approve the Executive Order during the 2013 Session the Governor may reissue. (Click here to read more)

Medicaid Managed Care - Legislators continue to bring up issues surrounding Kentucky's launch of Medicaid Managed Care. While there is likely to be more discussion and possibly some legislation, any changes that would cost the state money would impact the current budget, predicated on the managed care savings.

Medicaid  Expansion: Since the U.S. Supreme Court has left the decision of Medicaid Expansion to individual states it is likely that we will hear some debate on the issue during the session. The Governor appears to be in favor of expansion, but some Republicans have voiced opposition. (Click here to read more)