Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Day Twenty of KY's 2014 Session In Review

While many were anticipating the impact of the snow and ice storm Governor Steve Beshear unveiled his tax reform plan on Tuesday. The plan includes:
  1. Putting the state's 6 percent sales tax on selected services and recreational activities, such as automotive repairs, fitness centers and golf courses;
  2. Increasing the tax rate on cigarettes from 60 cents to $1 a pack, and on other tobacco products commensurate to the proposed cigarette tax increase, and tax e-cigarettes at 20 percent of their value;
  3. Restoring tax on cigarette rolling papers;
  4. Reducing tax breaks on pension income for people whose annual gross income tops $80,000;
  5. Raising the state's cigarette tax from 60 cents to $1 a pack.
  6. Reducing individual and the top corporate income tax rates. 

  7. Creating a refundable earned income tax credit for low-wage workers;
  8. Reducing the 11 percent wholesale tax on beer, wine and distilled spirits to 10 percent;
  9. Creating tax breaks for some of Kentucky's signature industries, including horses and bourbon;
  10. Creating an "angel" investor tax credit for certain investments in small businesses;
  11. Expanding the state's research and development tax credit;
  12. Doubling the New Markets Tax Credit, a credit for people or businesses that buy a qualified investment from a community development agency;
  13. Exempting inventory from state property taxes; and
  14. Eliminating the option for married couples to file separately on a combined state tax return.

To learn more read the Governor's briefing papers:
Governor Beshear's Tax Reform Briefing Paper 1Governor Beshear's Tax Reform Briefing Paper 2Governor Beshear's Tax Reform Briefing Paper 3

The Senate approved SB 58, 23-15, on Tuesday, a bill that would abolish the state office of Treasurer. The bill sponsored by Sen. McDaniel would amend the state constitution to dissolve the State Treasurer’s office at the end of the current term. McDaniel said the duties would be transferred to the Finance Cabinet and state Auditor’s Office. Those opposing the bill included Senate Democratic Floor Leader Sen. R.J. Palmer who said the Treasurer’s Office provides a needed check and balance for the state’s finances. If the measure becomes law, the question will be posed to voters for final ratification in the 2014 general election in November.
The Senate passed 6 additional bills today:
  • SB20, an act relating to bullying, introduced by Senator Carpenter passed 37 – 1.
  • SB44, an act relating to motor vehicle weight tolerance, introduced by Senator Hornback passed 35 – 3.
  • SB59, an act relating to motor carrier transportation contracts, introduced by Senator Harris passed by 38 – 0.
  • SB64, an act relating all-terrain vehicles, introduced by Senator Gregory passed 36 – 0.
  • SB67, an act relating to nuclear power, introduced by Senator Leeper,  passed 30 -6.
  • SB113, an act relating to elections, introduced by Senator Bowen, passed 38 – 0.

Legislation that would help college students from Kentucky’s coal counties complete four-year degrees in their home areas with help from a “Kentucky Coal County College Completion Scholarship” has cleared the House Education Committee. HB 2, sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Rep. Leslie Combs would fund scholarships mostly for students living and attending school in the state’s coal-producing counties in both Eastern and Western Kentucky. The bill would provide five percent of total scholarship funds for students who want to attend an approved program outside of those coal counties, according to the bill. The House passed HB 81, an act relating to an incentive work related program for employees of the Legislative Research Commission, introduced by Rep. Riggs, passed 99 – 0.
The House also passed the following bills on consent:
  • HB 138, an act relating to public employee health insurance introduced by Rep. Yonts;
  • HB 157, an act relating to pediatric abusive head trauma introduced by Rep. Wuchner;
  • HB 189, an act relating to the veterans' program trust fund introduced by Rep. Miller;
  • HB 228, an relating to boards and commissions introduced by Rep. Marzian (Passed on Consent with 5 Nay Votes);
  • HB 229, an act relating to state agency administrative requirements for regulated entities introduced by Rep. Damron;
  • HB 246, an act relating to military affairs introduced by Rep. Sinnette; and
  • SB 7, an act relating to nurses introduced by Senator Hornback (FINAL PASSAGE).

newlogoshraderbuLEGISLATIVE TRACKERS BY INTEREST

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    LINKS TO SOME OF TODAY's HEADLINES:

     

    UPCOMING MEETINGS:

    Wednesday, February 5, 2014
    8:30am, Annex Room 129
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND SMALL BUSINESS
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 217HR 80 and HCR 67
    10:00am, Annex Room 149
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND INSURANCE
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 218 and HB 286
    10:00am, Annex Room 131
    SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE
    Agenda: Consideration of Referred Legislation: SB 46SB 47SB 52SB 54SB 76 and SB 103
    Noon, Annex Room 149
    HOUSE BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENVIRONME
    Agenda: Public Protection Cabinet, Budget Overview, Energy and Environment Cabinet Budget Overview
    Noon, Annex Room 129
    HOUSE BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE ON PRIMARY/SECONDARY EDUCATION
    Agenda: Discussion of the Governor's Department of Education Budget Proposal for the FY 2014-16 Biennium, Dr. Terry Holliday - Commissioner, Department of Education
    Noon, Annex Room 171
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 51HB 86HB 105, and HB 130
    Noon, Annex Room 154
    SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
    Agenda: Consideration of SB 31 and SB 72

    2:00pm, House Chambers
    House Convenes
    2:00pm, Senate Chambers
    Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)

    SOME OF THE LATEST POLITICAL STORIES:

    Gov. Steve Beshear Dave Adkisson, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce: “We commend Gov. Beshear for providing a strong starting point for discussions of tax reform. We’re pleased that the governor is emphasizing competitiveness…The governor’s proposal strikes a responsible balance between competitiveness and the need to fund government. We will now review the specifics with our member companies…” Jason Bailey, director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: “Gov. Beshear deserves recognition for bringing forward a specific tax reform proposal…His plan contains some good ideas, especially in that it creates new revenue and includes modest assistance to families struggling to get [...]
    Tue, Feb 04, 2014 10:06:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

    A Kentucky House committee approved a bill Tuesday that would make permanent a pilot scholarship program aimed at helping more students get a four-year degree in coal-producing counties.Click to Continue » [...]
    Tue, Feb 04, 2014 7:37:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

    Saying Kentucky has been held back by an "archaic" tax code, Gov. Steve Beshear unveiled 22 proposed tax changes Tuesday that would raise an estimated $210 million a year for…Click to Continue » [...]
    Tue, Feb 04, 2014 5:39:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

    The United Kentucky Tea Party is putting members of the state’s congressional delegation on notice to oppose any attempt at overhauling the U.S. immigration system this year.Late last week House Republicans unveiled a one-page set of standards that would allow those who immigrated to the U.S. illegally to obtain citizenship. [...]
    Tue, Feb 04, 2014 4:30:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

    By Sam Youngman Herald-Leader Political Writer At a lunch in New York last week, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul sat with friend Nate Morris and the head of a Forbes 400 investment bank discussing the 1990s sexual transgressions of former President Bill Clinton. It was agreed among the three that such behavior would get a business owner, a banker or a doctor fired, sued or at least severely reprimanded. While that might sound like the start of a bad joke, it might not be a laughing matter for his opponents if Paul enters the 2016 race for the White House. Paul and his staff have [...]
    Tue, Feb 04, 2014 3:32:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

    WASHINGTON – In the newest survey on potential 2016 GOP presidential candidates, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has not been one of the beneficiaries of the erosion in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s support over “bridgegate.” Paul receives 13 percent backing among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, putting him in second place in the latest CNN/ORC Poll. Paul had the same level of support in the last CNN/ORC poll in November. Christie, beseiged by investigations over possible political motives behind the closing of traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge, has fallen in the latest survey to 10 percent, tied with former Florida Gov. Jeb [...]
    Tue, Feb 04, 2014 3:15:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

    Wed, Feb 05, 2014 2:16:17 AM, Continue reading at the source


    Monday, February 3, 2014

    Day Nineteen of KY's 2014 Session In Review

    The one committee hearing, the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources was cancelled on Monday. There was plenty of snow in Frankfort and on the highways leading to the Capitol on Monday morning that made driving hazardous, but by 4:00 pm most of the roads were clear.
    The House and Senate came in at 4:00 pm and the House took up and passed two bills.  HB 146, the partner therapy bill, introduced by Rep. Marzian, passed the House with a vote of 58 – 28. HB 165, Rep. Jenkins bill on competency hearings, passed the on a vote of 77 – 12. The Senate didn’t take up any bills on the floor today.
    The Senate Banking & Insurance Committee will NOT meet today, Tuesday, February 4th, however the House Banking & Insurance Committee is expected to meet tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5thSB63, a workers comp bill endorsed by the small business council, is expected to be heard in Senate L&O today at Noon. SB 63 will eliminate all funding provided to the Labor Cabinet from special fund assessments.

    newlogoshraderbuLEGISLATIVE TRACKERS BY INTEREST

    Click on the links below

      LINKS TO SOME OF TODAY's HEADLINES:


       UPCOMING MEETINGS:

      Tuesday, February 4, 2014
      8:00am, Annex Room 129
      HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
      Agenda: Consideration of HB 2HB 75HB 77HB 87HB 194 and HB 223
      9:00am, Annex Room 171
      HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
      Agenda: Consideration of HCR 17 and HCR 37
      10:00am, Annex Room 154
      HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE
      Agenda: Consideration of HB 170HB 261 and HB 272
      10:00am, Annex Room 169
      SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON LICENSING, OCCUPATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS
      Agenda: Consideration of SB 63
      Noon, Annex Room 125
      HOUSE BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND JUDICIARY
      Agenda: Judicial Branch, Presenter: John Minton, Chief Justice
      Noon, Annex Room 149
      HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
      Agenda: Consideration of HB 93HB 94HB 110HB 169HB 199 and HB 216

      2:00pm, House Chambers
      House Convenes (Orders of the Day)
      2:00pm, Senate Chambers
      Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)

      SOME OF THE LATEST POLITICAL STORIES:

      Lessons learned, Jack Conway readies for run at Governor's Mansion - Lexington Herald Leader ‎ - When Democrat Jack Conway announces he is running for governor this spring, as is widely expected, Kentucky's attorney general will have ...Read more

      What starts as the Super Bowl of Ky. primaries? The top 10 to watch
      by Ryan Alessi - The May 20 primaries are set. Both parties have primaries for U.S. Senate, and the Democrats have four primaries for congressional races (1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th Districts). In the legislature, a half -dozen primaries are brewing for state Senate seats, and the House features 25 primaries across two... Read more

      In attacking the Clintons, Rand Paul finds a way to pump up his base and make in-roads with establishment Republican donors who have been skeptical of his Tea Party-backed ascent.Click to Continue » [...]
      Mon, Feb 03, 2014 11:58:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      A federal judge on Monday struck down part of a Kentucky law that gave existing moving companies a veto over new competition.Click to Continue » [...] - Mon, Feb 03, 2014 10:10:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      A pair of super PACs supporting Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes may want to consider a name change.Campaign finance records show Kentuckians for Strong Leadership, which is aiding McConnell, raised about $1.2 million in the last six months of 2013, but not one dollar came from the Bluegrass. [...] - Mon, Feb 03, 2014 10:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT –Presidents of the 16 campuses of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System said Monday they can raise money from their communities and other public and private sources to help pay for agency bonds to provide campus improvements. The KCTCS campus presidents appeared with Gov. Steve Beshear and KCTCS President Michael McCall at a Capitol news conference Monday to tout Beshear’s budget proposal to issue $145.5 million in agency bonds to KCTCS to provide infrastructure at each campus that Beshear said is “desperately needed.” Beshear said the bonds will be supported by KCTCS revenues. The bonds will be used [...]
      Mon, Feb 03, 2014 8:26:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      Gov. Steve Beshear plans to publicly release his long-awaited tax-overhaul plan Tuesday.Click to Continue » [...]
      Mon, Feb 03, 2014 7:57:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      Tom Loftus The person who appears to me to have given the most money so far for the re-election of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is Lawrence F. DeGeorge, of Jupiter, Fla. DeGeorge is self-employed in the “venture capital” business, according to campaign finance reports. He has given $265,000 to-date to committees backing Sen. McConnell’s re-election. In November he contributed $250,000 to Kentuckians for Strong Leadership, an independent Super PAC that is supporting McConnell’s re-election by raising big out-of-state contributions to pay for campaign ads opposing Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes. DeGeorge also gave $15,000 last April to a committee called McConnell Victory Kentucky which splits the contributions it [...] - Mon, Feb 03, 2014 4:50:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      A growing number of women are vying for seats in the Kentucky General Assembly this year.Of the 220 candidates running for either the state House or Senate in the 2014 election cycle, about 20 percent are women.That’s a five-point increase compared to four years ago when the same offices were up for a vote.Observers credit organizations aimed at recruiting and training women to run for public office. [...] - Mon, Feb 03, 2014 2:00:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

      Kentucky Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes has raised nearly $5 million in her bid to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in one of the nation's most closely watched political races. [...] - Tue, Feb 04, 2014 3:42:36 AM, Continue reading at the source

      Four years after the Tea Party demanded changes to the way Congress spends money, the Eastern Kentucky lawmaker who heads the spending process says the ban on congressional earmarks is a bad idea. [...] - Tue, Feb 04, 2014 3:42:36 AM, Continue reading at the source

      Tue, Feb 04, 2014 3:42:36 AM, Continue reading at the source

      Day Eighteen of KY's 2014 Session In Review

      Kentucky’s 2014 session is one fourth over. The House has introduced 313 pieces of legislation to the Senates 113. The Senate has passed 14 bills over to the House and House has sent 21 bills down to the Senate, with no bills making it all the way through the process yet.
      Senate Bills that have cleared the Senate: SB 345716262729414553557499
      House Bills that have cleared the House: HB 5174066697073798498115126129154176179181192206211212
      President Stiver’s SB1, a bill that would give the legislature more control over the administrative regulation process and Speaker Stumbo’s HB1, a bill that would raise the minimum wage, have both cleared their respective committees and have two readings on their respective floors making them both ready to pass at the same time.
      Administration budget officials told the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee last week that their spending recommendation includes $19.8 billion in expected General Fund revenues. It includes $370 million in fund transfers, $166.8 million in savings from the federal Affordable Care Act, $98.6 million in state spending cuts (including five percent cuts for most state agencies and 2.5 percent cuts for state universities and the Kentucky State Police), a carryover from fiscal year 2014, and other money from other resources or funding lapses.
      The Federal Government has announced that it going to allow pilot projects in growing industrial (non-marijuana) hemp. Since the 2013 Legislature passed enabling legislation allowing Kentucky to proceed if that happened, experimental hemp farming may become a reality in Kentucky as soon as this year.
      We saw a flurry of committee meetings last week and we can expect much more of the same this week. Legislators and lobbyists alike will start thinking about any legislation that they might want to introduce this session with their eye on February 21st, the last to day to request a bill draft. Today is the 19th of our allotted 60 days before the legislature must Sine Die on April 15th. With so much snow on the ground spring seems far away but we can expect the pace to continue to pick up.


      newlogoshraderbuLEGISLATIVE TRACKERS BY INTEREST

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        LINKS TO SOME OF TODAY's HEADLINES:


        UPCOMING MEETINGS:

        Monday, February 3, 2014
        Noon, Annex Room 129
        HOUSE BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES
        Agenda: Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Public Health
        4:00 pm, House Chambers
        House Convenes  (Orders of the Day)
        4:00 pm, Senate Chambers
        Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)

        SOME OF THE LATEST POLITICAL STORIES:

        FRANKFORT — It's getting costly to lobby Kentucky lawmakers.Click to Continue » [...]
        Mon, Feb 03, 2014 3:06:00 AM, Continue reading at the source

        There's been no real reduction in the number of U.S. school shootings despite increased security put in place after the rampage at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.Click to Continue » [...]
        Sun, Feb 02, 2014 1:08:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        This year, for the first time, four of the state's media powerhouses are joining forces to conduct statewide polling that will provide deeper and more consistent insights into the 2014…Click to Continue » [...]
        Sun, Feb 02, 2014 5:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source

        Tom Loftus The Kentucky Democratic Party on Friday reported having $406,614 on hand as of Jan. 1. That’s a lot of money, but far less than the $1,371,437 balance reported by the Republican Party of Kentucky — a total enriched last year with contributions from the national fundraising connections of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Year-end reports filed by the federal committees of both state parties were filed with the Federal Election Commission on Friday. (I blogged about the GOP report yesterday). The biggest givers listed in the Kentucky Democratic Party report for the month of December were five men who each gave $10,000. They are:  Douglas Wilburn, [...]
        Sat, Feb 01, 2014 4:59:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        Tom Loftus Campagn finance laws allow contributions of unlimited amounts to independent Super PACs. Corporation contributions are also allowed. And the Super PAC supporting the re-election of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell got contributions of as much as $250,000 during the last six months of 2013, according to the report it filed Friday with the FEC. The Super PAC is called Kentuckians for Strong Leadership. However, there are no Kentuckians among the 24 contributors in the past six months who combined to give nearly $1.2 million. The super PAC has been spending its money on advertisements opposing the election of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan [...]
        Sat, Feb 01, 2014 3:12:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        Tom Loftus Today is the day when political committees send out breathless “news” releases bragging about how much money they’ve raised. But they never tell you who gave the money. The Republican Party of Kentucky bragged today of its fundrasing success during the second half of 2013 — leaving it with $1.3 million on hand at the outset of a crucial election year when the Kentucky House and half of the Kentucky Senate are up for grabs. If you check the report posted Friday on the FEC website, you will find that a nice part of the RPK’s contributions came from lobbyists trying to push, or stop, legislation [...]
        Fri, Jan 31, 2014 11:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        Surpassing other top Democratic incumbents and contenders in contributions, Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes raised $2.1 million during the last three months of 2013.Grimes's campaign announced the totals on Friday afternoon, which are down from the $2.5 million she raised in the previous quarter.The first-term secretary of state has generated over $4.5 million from supporters to date, and has $3.5 million in cash-on-hand. [...]
        Fri, Jan 31, 2014 8:23:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        By Sam Youngman syoungman@herald-leader.com Despite raising more than $2 million during a fundraising quarter filled with holidays, likely Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Alison Lundergan Grimes continues to face a significant cash disadvantage against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Both campaigns released their fundraising totals for the fourth quarter of 2013 Friday, with McConnell reporting $2.2 million for his re-election efforts and Grimes reporting $2.1 million. McConnell's latest numbers bring his total for the election cycle to $20 million, with $10.9 million in the bank, his campaign reported Friday. Grimes has raised about $4.6 million since entering the race July 1 and has about $3.5 million [...]
        Fri, Jan 31, 2014 7:50:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        A prominent conservative group is hiring a consulting firm which had been all but excommunicated by national Republicans at the behest of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell last year.The Club for Growth has yet to endorse in Kentucky's GOP primary battle between McConnell and Tea Party-backed businessman Matt Bevin, but the group has said it is paying close attention to the race. [...]
        Fri, Jan 31, 2014 5:53:00 PM, Continue reading at the source

        By Sam Youngman syoungman@herald-leader.com Actress and Kentucky native Ashley Judd said Thursday she had no second thoughts about her decision against challenging Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky's U.S. Senate race this year. "At this time, absolutely not," Judd told Politico Thursday. "And I'm grateful for that because life is not always so tidy. I didn't understand why at first because it was a very below-the-neck experience, it was very guttural. I didn't have an explanation at first but then my life became very clear in terms of my need and desire right now to spend a lot of time with family." Judd [...]
        Fri, Jan 31, 2014 1:20:00 AM, Continue reading at the source

        They say it could save millions of dollars by eliminating the office of Kentucky State Treasurer. [...]
        Mon, Feb 03, 2014 4:36:13 AM, Continue reading at the source

        Kentucky Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes has raised nearly $5 million in her bid to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in one of the nation's most closely watched political races. [...]
        Mon, Feb 03, 2014 4:36:13 AM, Continue reading at the source

        Mon, Feb 03, 2014 4:36:13 AM, Continue reading at the source


        Lawmakers criticize budget Feb 02, 2014 09:46 pm Three state legislators on Saturday criticized Gov. Steve Beshear’s budget proposal and shared their priorities for the current legislative session at a forum in the Warren County Courthouse. Read More

         2014 not all about the U.S. Senate race  The filing deadline has passed and Monday is just six months from the annual Fancy Farm Picnic that is likely to pit Sen. Mitch McConnell against Alison Lundergan Grimes — the kickoff for the homestretch of the most interesting election in the nation. Joseph Gerth |Feb 02, 2014 09:45 pm Read More

        Election filing deadline speeds up pace in Kentucky legislature The 2014 General Assembly began to pick up a little steam last week following Tuesday's election filing deadline for House and Senate races. Feb 02, 2014 09:44 pm Read More

        Beshear putting tax reform ideas on table Gov. Steve Beshear will discuss his ideas for tax reform with some key lawmakers Monday in hopes of seeing it pass the 2014 session that is nearly one-third complete.Feb 02, 2014 09:42 pm Read More

        Kentucky tax-reform commission's recommendations These suggestions were among the 54 recommendations issued by Gov. Steve Beshear's tax-reform commission in December 2012: Feb 02, 2014 09:42 pm Read More

        Industry officials revolting over state plan to take tourism funds Area tourism officials want to put a halt to a budget proposal that would move $9 million out of the restricted tourism, meeting and convention marketing fund over the next two years. Feb 02, 2014 09:41 pm Read More