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