FRANKFORT – When it comes to tourism, Kentucky has not one but two major factors in its favor: We have dozens of destinations that all but sell themselves, and we’re home to the nation’s population center east of the Rockies, meaning no state is closer to more Americans.

It’s a potent combination, and last week, we saw again how big of a role it plays in our state’s economy.  According to a report commissioned by the state’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the industry had a total impact of $11.7 billion in 2011, which was three percent higher than in 2010.  What’s especially noteworthy is that all nine tourism regions of the state saw gains.

All told, tourism employs almost 170,000 people in Kentucky, and their salaries exceed $2.6 billion.  For state and local governments, the industry also generates about $1.22 billion in tax revenue.

Tourism has been a draw for Kentucky for most of its history.  It began with Mammoth Cave National Park, which became the nation’s second-oldest paid attraction, after Niagara Falls, when it first opened to the public in 1816.  Now, the world’s longest cave – which, incidentally, is longer than the second and third longest caves combined – brings in 400,000 visitors annually, making it the state’s top tourist destination.

In recent months, the tourism cabinet has been highlighting other unique attractions through its “There’s Only One” advertising campaign.  Its website, www.kentuckytourism.com, features 44, ranging from Land Between the Lakes recreation area to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green and the birthplaces of such legends as Abraham Lincoln, Rosemary Clooney and Loretta Lynn.

Another one – the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – promotes an industry that goes back to the 1700s and now bottles 95 percent of the world’s supply.  The trail, which began in 1999, has had almost two million visitors over the last five years, and in February, CNN recognized it as one of 10 “classic American experiences.”

Most if not all of these nearly four dozen one-of-a-kind locations are just a short drive from a Kentucky State Park, another key reason why our tourism numbers are so high.  There are 17 parks that have a full-service lodge, and 31 have campgrounds.  Although the upcoming two-year budget is especially tight, the General Assembly did increase money for state park maintenance, setting aside $6 million during that time.

In addition to our permanent attractions, Kentucky has also done quite well in recent years when it comes to special events that put the national spotlight on us.  The Kentucky Derby, of course, is always a positive time for the Commonwealth, and we now have an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup race as well.  We also got high marks for hosting the World Equestrian Games and golf’s Ryder Cup, and from events commemorating the 200^th anniversary of President Lincoln’s birth and the 150^th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.

As the economy continues to improve, there’s every reason to believe that our tourism numbers will only continue to climb.  With the end of school at hand and summer just around the corner, I encourage you to take at least a day or two out of your schedule to see more of what Kentucky has to offer.

If you would like to contact me about this issue or any other affecting the state, you can always write to me at Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

 

FRANKFORT– Earlier this year, as the General Assembly was putting together the budget to run state government, it was becoming increasingly clear that the state was finally beginning to see some lasting growth.

That was further confirmed several weeks ago, when one of the state’s economists said that “all signs are pointing to the likelihood that the recovery is here to stay.”

We’re seeing that in places like the unemployment rate, which for more than eight months now has been in steady decline.  Although still higher than anyone prefers, March’s 8.6 percent was a full percentage point less than it was in March 2011.  Kentucky saw more than 34,000 jobs added during that 12-month period.

What is promising about the growth is that it has been spread fairly evenly.  Economists split the job market into 11 major categories – from manufacturing to education and health services – and over the last year six of those saw gains and two others remained steady.

A more long-term report that state budget officials gave late last month offers additional hope as well.  It found that, in the first three months of this year, Kentuckians’ overall salaries were up more than five percent and are projected to outpace the national average through December.

Not surprisingly, the state’s revenues have benefited from this economic uptick. The state’s General Fund has grown by 4.3 percent over the last nine months, a figure that is significantly higher than had been forecast, and the Road Fund is doing even better, with growth up more than seven percent.

Kentucky’s efforts to boost the economy are getting more notice nationally.  Since 2008, for example, Forbes has moved us up 19 spots in its annual ranking of business climate among the states.

A national trade publication that tracks new and expanded business activity, meanwhile, put us eighth among the states in 2011, our highest ranking ever.  What’s especially remarkable is that Kentucky was the smallest state population-wise among the leaders.  We scored so highly because we had nearly 200 projects last year that either had, at a minimum, investment of $1 million, the creation of 50 jobs or the addition of at least 20,000 square feet of new floor space.

Another trade publication called Kentucky’s partnership with Ford Motor Company the economic deal of the year last year.  Thanks to a tax-incentive package the General Assembly offered, Ford has invested more than $1 billion in its Louisville operations and hired several thousand new workers.  This year, the General Assembly offered the same package to General Motors, Toyota and several large auto parts companies, if they are willing to meet the same criteria Ford did.

The auto industry has been an especially bright spot for the state in recent months.  In 2011, according to the Cabinet for Economic Development, more than 70 auto-related facilities either expanded or located here.

There are still numerous challenges when it comes to getting Kentucky’s economy back to where we want it, but as these examples show, there are reasons to believe that we have a lot in our favor, too.  My hope is that 2012 continues that trend.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments about state government.  My address is Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

FRANKFORT – Each legislative session is inevitably remembered for a key issue or two, and this year’s will undoubtedly be recalled for the toughest budget most of us have seen in our lifetime and for taking a comprehensive approach on drug abuse.

There were several other high-profile issues as well, including the legislature’s latest effort to crack down on copper thefts and making sure that the interest on the sizeable federal loan for the state’s unemployment insurance fund is covered so businesses wouldn’t lose a much-needed tax credit.

While the General Assembly’s work in these areas took up much of the public’s attention, there were also quite a few other new laws passed this year to help our state.

In education, for example, it is now possible for schools to have considerable flexibility when it comes to boosting academic development.  If they qualify, they could be free of some of the laws and regulations governing them, letting them experiment with such things as a longer school calendar or a different kind of classroom setting.

Another new law that will eventually affect some of our youngest children will move back the cut-off date to start first grade.  Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, children will be able to enroll if they turn six by Aug. 1^st rather than the current Oct. 1^st.

In other areas of education, the legislature passed a law that now prohibits superintendents from punishing teachers by assigning them to alternative schools, and we made it possible for special needs students who graduate with a modified curriculum to receive an alternative high school diploma rather than a certificate.

School coaches will now have to be better trained in recognizing and treating concussions and head injuries, and there will be a study to take a close look at middle school sports, which don’t have a statewide governing organization like high schools.

Another study, meanwhile, was also approved this year to see how the state can best treat juveniles caught up in the judicial system.  There are at least three different areas needing closer review, including what approach the state should take when children 10 and younger commit a crime; how we should handle status offenses, which are violations like truancy that wouldn’t be an issue for adults; and how children caught up in domestic violence situations are affected.

For police, there will now be a “Blue Alert,” which is similar to the popular “Amber Alert” used when a child is missing.  Under this new alert, the public will be notified if a police officer is killed or severely injured.  That will hopefully make it easier to find the assailant.

Another law tied to public safety tries to bridge the line between religious freedom and protecting drivers on the road.  In this case, those who driver motorless vehicles will now have the option to use reflective tape rather than the orange triangle that is otherwise standard but had been opposed on religious grounds by some groups such as the Amish.

Other new laws will standardize local tax forms to make it easier for companies to pay these taxes if they do business in more than one community; call on life insurance companies to work harder to find beneficiaries of unclaimed policies; and have social workers provide more information to help foster children transition into adulthood.

Although the time to pass laws is now over for the year, the General Assembly will soon begin holding its interim committee meetings again to review issues that may need to be addressed next year.  If you have any comments are concerns about anything involving state government, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  My address is Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

FRANKFORT – It took a little longer than anyone wanted, but the General Assembly took two major steps forward for the state on Friday when it finalized the funding for the $4.5 billion road plan and approved a far-reaching measure to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

As you may recall, both of those issues were left unresolved on April 12^th, the regular legislative session’s final day, after Governor Beshear refused to give in to Senate leaders’ demands to sign the road plan after only a few hours’ review instead of the 10 days he has to consider bills under the constitution.  When the Senate then decided not to act on funding the road plan, the governor had no choice but to call legislators back.  Otherwise, the entire Transportation Cabinet would have had to shut its doors on July 1st, the start of the fiscal year.

Like you, I believe we should have finished our work during the regular session, but that does not undercut the importance of the two bills expected to be signed into law soon.

The road plan, for example, has been a bright spot in recent months because of healthy growth.  For example, we were able to secure full funding for KY 146 in Henry County and for a bridge replacement on KY 36 in Carroll County and funding for spot improvements on U.S. 421 in Trimble County and new turning lanes in front of Trimble County High School.

Improved funding is also making it easier to meet other needs across the state and to move forward on several “mega” projects, such as the new bridges in Jefferson County and Land Between the Lakes.  This plan will also complete the road work in the Fort Knox area that was needed after a federal military base realignment brought in thousands of more people.

The soon-to-be law on prescription drug abuse, meanwhile, will go a long way to slowing a problem that claims the lives of at least three Kentuckians a day on average.  When you factor in innocent victims killed by those high on drugs, and the family members devastated by the loss of loved ones, the total affected reaches well into the tens of thousands.

The hallmark of the bill is expanding as well as strengthening the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, known as Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting, or KASPER.

Currently, only a third of doctors regularly check their patients’ drug histories through KASPER, but the need is certainly there to require all of them to take part when controlled substances are involved, as this law now does for all but a few cases, such as emergency care and surgery.  According to a 2010 survey of doctors that did use KASPER, nearly 90 percent said what they learned caused them to change what they had planned to prescribe.

These reports will be even more useful later this year, when Kentucky’s system is more widely linked with similar monitoring programs in other states.  That will make it much harder for addicts to doctor shop, especially along our borders.

Another provision in this law will limit the often fly-by-night pain clinics that have popped up across the state, especially as other states have cracked down on them.

New pain clinics will have to doctor-owned, and those grandfathered in will fall under the same regulations if anyone involved is convicted of a crime tied to improper prescribing of controlled substances.  We also now limit all doctors from giving out more than a 48-hour supply of controlled substances from their office.

The bill also calls for greater cooperation among law enforcement, those running KASPER and the physician-licensing boards, and for the boards to provide more training on pain management and addiction and to be more responsive when complaints of over-prescribing are received.

Coroners will also be called upon to screen for drugs if an overdose is suspected and there is no other cause of death.  This data will give us a much clearer picture of just how many die from their addiction; many believe it is much higher than the 1,000 now reported annually.

A key provision that was initially supported by the House is not in the law, after concerns were raised by doctors.  Instead of moving to the attorney general’s office, KASPER will remain with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.  Greater cooperation among the cabinet and law enforcement, however, will ensure this program remains a vital resource in the fight against this abuse.

Although our work passing laws is now over, that does not mean the legislature’s work for the year is finished.  Later this spring, the joint House and Senate committees will begin meeting again, to review the progress of legislation and to see what other issues may need to be addressed when next year’s legislative session begins in January.

As always, if you would like to contact me regarding any issue involving state government, you can reach me by writing to Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

 

FRANKFORT – When the General Assembly wrapped up much of its work at the end of last month, there was only one day left in this year’s legislative session.

Traditionally, this time is spent just considering any vetoes the governor might issue on the bills making it through the House and Senate.  This year, however, there was still some unfinished business that had to be addressed, with the most pressing being the state’s road plan and a budget for the Transportation Cabinet.  The agenda also included a major initiative to curb prescription drug abuse.

Because time truly was of the essence due to constitutional constraints, legislative leaders began meeting early last week to hammer out agreements, which they tentatively reached just hours before dawn and the start of the veto day on Thursday.

One of those agreements – the far-reaching road plan with $4.5 billion worth of projects over the next two years – did make it through the General Assembly.  Unfortunately, the cabinet’s budget never left the Senate, and without it, the cabinet literally cannot open its doors when the fiscal year begins in July.  That would leave the road projects on the drawing board, as well as such things as bridge inspections and other highway safety measures, something we cannot afford to let happen.

Kentuckians have every right to be upset that we have to have a special session to fix this, but it could have been avoided if only the Senate had voted on the already agreed-upon budget for the cabinet.  Instead, that chamber never took it up.

Senate leaders say they stopped the process because they worried Governor Beshear might veto some of their road projects without the legislature being able to override the vetoes, or that he might veto the entire plan and be able to approve road projects without any legislative input, which would have been very unpopular politically.  They also voiced concern that the House decided not to override any of the relatively minor vetoes Governor Beshear issued in the budget that runs every other aspect of state government.

Nevertheless, I am hopeful that cooler heads will return this week, and that we can build on some of the true accomplishments made this year.

That would include enacting a far-reaching law to limit prescription drug abuse.  The hallmark of this bill is moving the state’s monitoring program from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General’s office, which will help law enforcement be much better prepared in spotting and then stopping “pill mills” and doctor shopping by abusers.  Other states such as Florida and Ohio have taken action to crack down on this abuse in recent months, and if we don’t follow suit, the epidemic we are already seeing will get much worse.

As always, please don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts or concerns about this issue or any other affecting the state.  Should you want to write, my address is Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

FRANKFORT – During even-year legislative sessions, no other bill gets more attention than the budget, which is understandable, because no other bill directs so many of the General Assembly’s priorities.

Even so, that doesn’t undercut the importance of other legislation also set to become law, and as my colleagues and I prepare to wrap up the 2012 Regular Session this coming Thursday, there are more than a few of these bills that deserve mention.

Several, for example, will improve public safety, with two of the more prominent tackling the deadly rise of synthetic drugs and meth.

To cut back on the former, the House and Senate agreed to broaden the definition of these drugs, so that it will be much tougher for underground chemists to skirt the law by tweaking the drug’s formula.  This bill will also crack down on those selling these poisons – often referred to as bath salts or synthetic marijuana – with potential penalties ranging from prison to forfeiture of their property.  Together, this twin approach should give serious pause to any reputable store owner considering getting into this shady market.

The legislature’s plan to limit meth, meanwhile, is designed to keep pseudoephedrine out of the hands of those that manufacture the drug while not hindering law-abiding citizens who depend on this medicine, especially during allergy season.

In this case, those purchasing without a prescription will be limited to 7.2 grams of pseudoephedrine a month and up to 24 grams a year.  A standard box with 48 pills – each having a 30 milligram dosage – amounts to 1.44 grams, meaning families could still buy five of these boxes a month.  It’s crucial to note that this bill only applies to tablets; it does not affect gel tabs or liquid forms of pseudoephedrine, both of which are much tougher to use in manufacturing meth.

The hope, of course, is that we can stop the dramatic rise in labs that have gotten smaller and more portable in recent years.  They’re extremely toxic as well as fire hazards, and they can cost thousands of dollars to clean up.

Another problem that is also costing us financially is the growing number of copper thefts.  There have been numerous stories of air conditioners and other equipment being vandalized for the valuable metal they have inside.

Now, however, these thieves will find it much more difficult to turn their stolen goods into quick cash. Recycling centers will be limited in making these types of purchases, and payment will need to be made by check. These centers will also be required to register with the state.

In economic development, there were two bills to pass that hold a lot of potential for Kentucky.  The first of those is noteworthy because it will help our business community avoid losing a federal tax credit worth as much as $600 million.  This credit was at-risk if we didn’t come up with a plan to pay off the interest on the federal money the unemployment insurance fund had to borrow to maintain benefits during the recession.  Obviously, we could not afford to let that credit be dropped.

The other bill, meanwhile, will give Toyota, GM, North American Stainless and several other large auto parts companies the same opportunity to take advantage of the tax-incentive package that the legislature gave in 2007 to Ford, which then invested more than $1 billion and hired several thousand new employees at its Louisville operations.  The other companies will have to invest at least $100 million to qualify, but the hope is this new law will give them another reason to take this step.

For our veterans and those still serving our country, the General Assembly passed several bills that will help them or honor their service.  That includes setting up an adoption-assistance financial program for those in the National Guard – which could give them between $3,000 to $5,000 from the military family assistance trust fund – to laying the groundwork for a new memorial to honor those fallen Kentucky soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Drivers licenses will also now have a veterans designation, making it easy for these men and women to prove their service when needed.

Next week, I will detail what occurs on Thursday this week, which is when the General Assembly will consider any potential vetoes while also hopefully adopting several other bills.  Those include efforts targeting prescription drug abuse and making it easier for students in coal-producing counties to obtain their four-year college degree.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to continue letting me know your views on state government.  My address is Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

FRANKFORT – When House and Senate leaders first sat down early last week in budget negotiations, most of the major issues had already been decided.

Each chamber, for example, supported Governor Beshear’s decision to cut most state agencies by more than eight percent next fiscal year to balance the books and then maintain that level of spending in the following year.  Both the House and Senate feel it is important to live within our means, and to rely as little as possible on one-time funding sources to cover recurring expenses.

Both chambers also agreed that certain areas of state government deserve more protection.  That means no cuts for classroom funding, college aid, veteran services and Medicaid, and smaller cuts in postsecondary education and the Kentucky State Police.  Some areas, such as our over-worked social workers, will actually see funding increases, while our plan to strengthen public pensions maintains the timeline set out in 2008.

There were some fundamental differences to overcome, but legislative leaders were able to reach common ground in these areas after several long days of work.

From the beginning, the House’s position stressed the importance of investing in jobs and improvements for the Commonwealth.  That includes continuing to offer assistance to school districts needing to build new facilities or renovate current ones and investing in the high-tech jobs of tomorrow.  Both of these initiatives have been in place for years and have a proven track record, and, fortunately, both will continue.

Another initiative that began in the House – a scholarship program designed to boost four-year college degrees in Eastern Kentucky – laid the groundwork to expand its scope in the final version of the budget approved on Friday.  Now, this program will include all coal-producing counties no matter where they are, and it will be funded with coal severance dollars set aside for projects benefiting more than one county.

To qualify, students have to meet several criteria: they have to be from a coal-producing county and have at least 60 college credit hours, and they must attend a postsecondary school in a coal-producing county that offers a four-year college degree.  As long as money is available, the grants will range from $2,000 if attending a public postsecondary school to $6,000 for a private school.  If a desired degree program is not available in the region, students can use the grant money elsewhere in the state.

Overall, the state’s two-year budget tops $19 billion, and it is the leanest budget most of us have seen in our lifetimes.  Over the last several years, we have made cuts totaling $1.3 billion with only modest growth in revenue, so there is no fat left to cut.

Still, we are in better shape than many states.  There are no lay-offs or furloughs in this budget, and no tax increases.  If the better-than-projected growth in state revenues we have seen in recent months continues, the worst may truly be behind us.

In addition to the budget, the General Assembly also has passed several other noteworthy laws this legislative session and is poised to make a strong statement on limiting drug abuse.

I will cover these issues more in next week’s column.  For now, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns involving state government.  My address is Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

 

FRANKFORT – Most legislation that the General Assembly passes each year falls in one of two categories: It either protects, or it promotes.

That was especially evident this past week in the Kentucky House of Representatives, which voted for bills that range from further limiting abuse of our youngest and oldest citizens to helping more students in the coalfields of Eastern Kentucky get their four-year college degree.

Both bills centering on abuse made it through the chamber unanimously.  One would create an adult-abuse registry to ensure that those convicted of harming the elderly do not have the opportunity to work in jobs related to the care of older Kentuckians. Both Governor Beshear and the House recommend that money be set aside in the budget to get this database up and running.

The other bill, meanwhile, would set up an independent review of the state’s child protection system in those tragic cases in which a child either died as a result of abuse or was severely injured. Several high-profile cases in recent months showcase the need to see what more the state can do to stop this from ever happening again.Another tragedy affecting the state has been the steady rise of synthetic drugs. The General Assembly has adopted model legislation in recent years to combat these poisons, but the underground chemists have found ways to circumvent many of our efforts.

That would hopefully stop under a bill the House approved on Tuesday. It would extend the definition of these drugs, making it much tougher if not impossible for the chemists to keep up, and it cracks down on those stores that sell them.

In other action last week, the House passed a bill that would use coal severance funds to help students in a 16-county area in Eastern Kentucky complete their bachelor’s degree if they already have at least 60 hours of college credit.  The goal is to raise the region’s college attainment rate closer to the state average.

In other major legislation, the House voted to keep our businesses from paying a potentially steep penalty tied to unemployment insurance.

Two years ago, business and labor leaders and the General Assembly came together to formulate a plan to pay off the nearly $1 billion dollars that the state’s unemployment insurance fund had to borrow from the federal government to cover benefits.

There wasn’t a deal at the time, though, on how to pay for the interest on that federal loan. If no plan to pay this interest is put in place, our businesses could lose a federal tax credit, which could cost them up to $600 million.

The House plan would keep that from happening if it becomes law. It has the support of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky State Building and Trades Council and several other prominent organizations.

In another dose of good news in this area, we learned this month that Kentucky’s unemployment rate has dipped to a level not seen in three years.

A few days later, that was followed up with the news that state revenues were up nearly four percent in February when compared to the same time last year, with most of that due to increased consumer spending. So far, this fiscal year’s growth has significantly out-paced what was projected last year, and our Road Fund is doing even better.

If you would like to let me know what you would like to see us accomplish, please don’t hesitate to write to me at Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

 

FRANKFORT – For the last several years, the biggest challenge facing the General Assembly and Governor Beshear has been keeping the state on track as it weathers the toughest worldwide recession in more than 70 years.

It hasn’t been easy, with cuts totaling more than $1 billion.  If there is a silver lining, it’s that we have been able to shield the classroom and other critical services during this trying time.  We also avoided the drastic steps many other states have taken, some of which have laid off thousands of teachers and state employees and raised taxes significantly.

We haven’t had to do either, and the proposed budget for state government that the Kentucky House of Representatives passed on Wednesday maintains that positive trend for the next two years.

The House budget largely follows Governor Beshear’s plan, which he gave the legislature about two months ago.  Like he recommends, the House agrees that we must live within our means, but to do that, most state agencies would see cuts of 8.4 percent, though some areas would see less or even a modest increase.

For example, we don’t cut the overall total for the per-pupil funding formula known as SEEK, but we understand a growing student population means schools would have to stretch that money a little further.

The House trims postsecondary schools by about six percent, and we also limit how many new facilities they would like to build with their own revenue.  We want to make sure our debt level remains reasonable and the schools don’t take on more than they can handle financially given the state’s limited resources.

There are no proposed cuts to student financial aid in the House budget, and that includes the lottery-based KEES scholarships that high schoolers earn for college.

The House budget differs slightly from the governor’s in a couple of key areas in education.  We provide more money for schools’ family resource centers and programs like gifted education, and more would be given to KET, because further cuts could significantly hamper its ability to meet its statewide mission.

We also believe more money is needed for Meals on Wheels and other services helping the elderly, and we add more money to help spruce up our state parks.

There are some other bright spots in the budget.  Last year’s major reforms of Medicaid and the criminal justice system, for example, are starting to show some serious savings.  Moving most of the state’s Medicaid population to managed care – something the 16-county Louisville region has had for more than a dozen years – is expected to save $372 million in the upcoming budget.

The criminal justice reform, meanwhile, is expected to reduce our prison population by 4,600 inmates over the next two years, which is a far cry from 2007, when we led the nation in prison growth.  The savings from this smaller population will enable us to close a private prison; increase treatment options for substance abuse; and allow us to send nearly $9 million to our counties to help with their jail expenses.

Elsewhere in the House budget, money would be available for a fourth veterans nursing home, if it’s given the go-ahead by the federal government, and we lay the groundwork for an adult abuse registry, which will ensure those convicted of harming the elderly do not work in jobs involving care of our older citizens.

To help raise money, Governor Beshear and the House also recommend a tax amnesty program, in an effort to get those who owe back taxes to come forward without paying as high a penalty.  Our hope is that this will bring in about $55 million.

The overall theme of this budget is fairness.  We recognize that some areas, such as the classroom, need to be protected as much as possible, but in other cases, we tried to spread the cuts as broadly as possible.  That means all three branches of government are taking the same reduction, and that state employees and their retirees alike will not see any raises.

The next two years will be difficult, but there is hope that, if state revenues continue growing, it’s possible that the outlook will brighten in the months ahead.

For now, the House awaits whatever changes the Senate might propose.  If all goes as scheduled, a compromise will be voted on by the end of the month, and the budget will take effect on July 1^st and run through June 30, 2014.

On a more personal note, I want to add that the General Assembly is committed to doing all it can to help those victims who lost so much from the devastating storms on March 2^nd.  My colleagues and I have raised more than $20,000 to donate to those most affected, and we will do whatever it takes to help these communities get back on their feet.  Some communities, like West Liberty, were all but destroyed.

As always, I value your opinion on legislative matters and would enjoy hearing your thoughts or suggestions on the issues of the day.  You can always reach me by writing to Room 366B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.