Now that the dust has settled on the 2005 legislative session, I want to update you on the new laws approved by the Kentucky General Assembly. Although most of these laws will take effect next month, our most important action, approval of a new budget, is already in force. The new budget places a strong emphasis on investing in Kentucky's future. Our state's roads, water and sewer lines, agricultural industry, public safety and health care system all stand to benefit from the spending plan. Included in the new spending plan is one of the better public school budgets that has come out of Frankfort in recent years. Given our state's financial circumstances, I think the new budget shows that significant efforts were made to make education a priority. However, it should be emphasized that this education budget is far from perfect. We still need to do more in many areas, such as boosting teacher salaries. We also need to do more to improve the state's per pupil funding formula as it applies to counties with strong local economies, like Fayette. These counties frequently do not receive increases in per pupil funding from the state because the per pupil funding formula is based, in part, on the financial support that can be produced locally. This budget puts an inadequate Band-Aid on the problem by offering these districts the opportunity to decide to claim additional property tax revenue. It's a start, but it certainly will not address the very real financial problems of Fayette County Schools. In higher education, the spending plan will restore $50 million previously cut from the budgets of our colleges and universities. There was considerable pent-up demand on our college campuses and we invested $400 million in research space, new classrooms, dormitories, technology centers, and other facilities, including $40 million for a biological/pharmaceutical complex at the University of Kentucky among other UK projects. In addition to the budget, the General Assembly passed a tax plan that lowers personal income taxes and takes more than 300,000 of the working poor off the state income tax rolls altogether. As a result of this progressive change to our tax system, Kentucky will no longer have one of the nation's heaviest tax burdens on the working poor. Among other changes the tax plan will increase cigarette taxes by 27 cents to a total of 30 cents per pack. Revenue generated by one penny of the increase will be dedicated to cancer research. Other new laws include: Fighting meth Increased penalties for meth production and new tools to stop the spread of this dangerous drug. Senate Bill 63 limits the sale of over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines that contain a key ingredient used to make meth. Electronic Health Network Senate Bill 2 establishes a statewide electronic health network, giving doctors access to patient records and histories while protecting confidentiality. The bill will save dollars and lives. Elder protection House Bill 298 fills in the gaps in our system of investigating complaints of abuse of senior citizens, following the model established for children. License plates House Bill 426 will phase out the "Mr. Smiley" license plate. Newborn screenings Senate Bill 24 will give newborns better protection from life-threatening disorders by expanding health screening. Currently, Kentucky requires newborns be tested for four disorders. Senate Bill 24 expands that number to 29, bringing the state in line with federal standards. Vietnam Veterans House Bill 60 recognizes the sacrifices of our Vietnam veterans by enabling them to receive a diploma if they left high school to serve their country. Small Business Health Insurance Small businesses and employer associations will have an easier time insuring their employees through House Bill 278. The legislation allows small employer groups to offer basic health plans that exclude certain state-mandated health benefits. School nutrition Senate Bill 172 will cut down on the fatty and sugary snacks and drinks sold in schools, prevent elementary schools from selling sodas to students during the school day, keep schools from serving retail-style fast foods more than once a week, and call on the Department of Education to develop statewide standards. Thank you for your input and advice. I look forward to continuing our dialogue in the weeks ahead. As always, you are welcome to contact me. Read more...
| 
