Following a long weekend honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Kentucky General Assembly returned ready to work on your behalf in Frankfort. The atmosphere in the Capitol was one of anticipation as hundreds of citizens rallied for causes in the Rotunda and met with their legislators to discuss issues facing the Commonwealth.
This week included Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol, an event promoting children’s safety, health, education, and economic well-being. In light of this annual gathering, I would like to emphasize the importance of a complete count of our children and students in the upcoming 2020 Census. The Census count helps determine how much money communities receive for critical resources that our children and families will depend on for the next ten years, including food assistance, housing support, child care, and public education. Knowing how many children there are and where they live is essential to getting the proper access to those critical programs and services here in Kentucky.
It is also imperative that we take necessary action to ensure the safety and security of our students. Two years ago, the Commonwealth grieved the loss of innocent lives due to a senseless act of violence at Marshall County High School. This tragedy prompted last year’s Senate Bill (SB 1), the School Safety and Resiliency Act, a multi-faceted approach to better secure Kentucky schools through increased physical safety measures, a supportive learning environment, and preventative behavioral health services. SB 1 passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law in 2019. On the anniversary of the tragic Marshall County High School events, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 8, a measure that would amend the current statute to expand school personnel, including the designation of a school safety coordinator for each district and by requiring one school-based mental health counselor per 250 students. SB 8 would also require school resource officers to carry firearms.
Also passing favorably through committee this week was SB 9. This Senate priority measure is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protect and defend the right to life here in the Commonwealth. Also known as the “Born Alive Infant Protection Act,” SB 9 requires a physician to take all medically appropriate and reasonable steps to preserve the life and health of a born-alive infant. I was a proud co-sponsor of this bill, and look forward to being an emphatic yes for it when it come before the Senate body for a full vote. I pray that this bill will see success in the State House, where if passed, it would head to the governor’s desk.
While it was only a four-day workweek for the Kentucky General Assembly, the Senate passed a number of bills out of the chamber that will now go on to the House for consideration:
SB 2- A legislative priority that would require a voter to present photogenic identification at the polls. Under the amended bill, an expired photo ID would be accepted. SB 2 is supported by Secretary of State Michael Adams and promotes confidence in the integrity of Kentucky elections. I am a co-sponsor of this common-sense bill that will ensure that our elections are conducted freely and fairly.
SB 5- An act requiring Special Purpose Governmental Entities (SPGEs) to seek approval from their establishing body to levy an ad valorem tax rate that would generate more revenue than the compensating tax rate, or a first-time ad valorem tax. I was a yes vote on this bill because I believe that taxation without representation is an injustice to Kentucky taxpayers. This law would stimulate necessary dialogue on matters of importance to communities.
SB 56- Ensures Kentucky complies with the federal minimum legal age for the sale, purchase and use of tobacco products. It also eliminates possession penalties for youth up to age 21. I voted yes on this bill. In order to bring Kentucky in compliance with federal law and to discourage young folks with using tobacco, or alternative nicotine products of any kind.
SB 66- Amends the current statute to provide that someone who has been criminally charged in the death of another cannot make the funeral, burial, or other ceremonial arrangement decisions for the decedent. This bill is also referred to as “The Slayer Statute”. I was happy to vote yes because the law would provide dignity for victims and peace of mind for grieving families.
SB 72- A sensitive but vital piece of proposed legislation. Kentucky is among 15 states where FGM is still legal. FGM is any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or another injury to the female organs for nonmedical purposes. The bill also provides an avenue for victims of this procedure to seek justice. My yes vote for SB 72 was a no-brainer, and I am happy there are no exemptions provided that would permit this heinous procedure to be conducted.
SB 20- Prohibits the certification of assisted-living communities if they are owned, managed, or operated by anyone who has been convicted of felony offenses relating to adult abuse, child abuse, drugs, homicide, kidnapping, sex offenses, robbery, arson, pornography, and other offenses. As an attorney who has represented victims of nursing home abuse and has seen the results of inadequate care, I consider it a duty to ensure that these facilities are operated by persons of good character and only those who will protect the rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens.
In the days ahead, I will continue to be an advocate for legislation that will be beneficial to citizens of the 31st District and all Kentuckians. My focus is still on bills related to the outrageous cost of insulin. I will continue to keep you updated on any developments on my bills, and others.
During even-numbered years, the Kentucky General Assembly is tasked with preparing a balanced two-year budget for the state. The budget address by the governor is one of the first steps in crafting this vital document that will guide the Commonwealth’s financial decisions for the next two years. Once the governor outlines his plan, the Kentucky Senate and House will propose separate budget plans, and all three parties—after many hours of deliberation and input from stakeholders—will come together to craft a final budget. The governor will be delivering his budget address on January 28 at 7 p.m.
The pace in Frankfort is quickly picking up, and I anticipate an increase of visitors and advocates from across the Commonwealth. As always, I welcome your input on these issues. It is an honor to serve on your behalf in Frankfort.
If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Phillip.Wheeler@LRC.ky.gov. Remember, you can review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov
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Note: Senator Phillip Wheeler (R-Pikeville) represents Kentucky’s 31st State Senate District, which includes Elliott, Lawrence, Martin, Morgan, and Pike Counties. Senator Wheeler serves as Chair of the Natural Resources and Energy committee, the co-chair of the Public Water and Wastewater System Infrastructure Task Force. He also serves as a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Judiciary, and Appropriations & Revenue. Senator Wheeler is also a member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance and Public Protection; the Program Review and Investigations Committee; the Government Contract Review Committee, and the 2020-2022 Budget Preparation and Submission Statutory Committee. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Wheeler, please
visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate131.jpg
