Published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth January 10, 2012 KFTC Citizens Legislative Guide Information for effective citizen participation in the 2012 General Assembly Kentucky Needs Your Voice Right now is the best chance to build New Power in Kentucky. But we have to address the problems caused by Old Power — old political power, old economic power and old energy power! CLEAN ENERGY LOBBY DAY FEB. 28 VOTING RIGHT LOBBY DAY MARCH 8 I LOVE MOUNTAINS DAY FEB. 14 ECONOMIC JUSTICE LOBBY DAY JAN. 18 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEXINGTON, KY. PERMIT NO. 513 Change Service Requested Kentuckians For The Commonwealth P.O. Box 1450 London, Ky. 40743
This is KFTC's annual Citizen's Legislative Guide. Inside you can learn about our proposed legislation in the 2012 Kentucky General Assembly, contact info and committee assignments for our legislators, and other important information to help you lobby in Frankfort.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Published by Kentuckians For The CommonwealthJanuary 10, 2012
KFTC Citizens Legislative Guide
Information for effective citizen participation in the 2012 General Assembly
Kentucky Needs Your VoiceRight now is the best chance to build New Power in Kentucky. But we have to address the problems caused by Old Power — old political power, old economic power and old energy power!
CLEAN ENERGY LOBBY DAY FEB. 28 VOTING RIGHT LOBBY DAY MARCH 8
I LOVE MOUNTAINS DAY FEB. 14ECONOMIC JUSTICE LOBBY DAY JAN. 18
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Perm
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Change Service Requested
Kentuckians For T
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. Box 1450London, K
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January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide2
Grassroots lobbying educates legislators for immediate and long-term change
“You can’t go it alone. You have to have a
group of people fi ghting and lobbying on behalf
of the issues that are dear to your heart.”
Mickey McCoy Martin County
KentuckiansForTheCommonwealth
is a statewide grassroots social justice orga ni-zation working for a new balance of power and a just society. KFTC uses direct-action organizing to accomplish the following goals:
• foster democratic values• change unjust institutions• empower individuals• overcome racism and other discrimination• communicate a message of what is possible• build the organization• help people participate• win issues that affect the common welfare• have fun
KFTC membership dues are $15 to $50 per year, based on ability to pay. No one is denied membership because of inability to pay. Membership is open to anyone who is committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change.
KFTCSteeringCommittee
Steve Boyce, ChairpersonSue Tallichet, Vice-Chairperson
Dana Beasley Brown, Secretary-TreasurerK.A. Owens, Immediate Past ChairRick Handshoe, At-Large Member
ChapterRepresentativesRosanne Fitts Klarer, Scott County
Erika Skaggs, Central KentuckyTed Withrow, Rowan County
Ben Baker, Northern KentuckyMary Love, Jefferson County
Travis Lane, Bowling Green & FriendsCarl Shoupe, Harlan County
Cleveland Smith, Perry CountyMegan Naseman, Madison CountyElizabeth Sanders, Letcher County
Nathan Hall, Floyd County
Vacant, Scott County; Christian Torp, Central Ken-tucky; Lisa Bryant, Rowan County; Katie Meyer, Northern Kentucky; Christine Farmer, Jefferson
County; Vacant, Bowling Green & Friends; Roy Silver, Harlan County; Tiffany Stiles, Perry County; Meta
Mendel-Reyes, Madison County; Ada Smith, Letcher County; Bev May, Floyd County
January 10, 2012 Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide �
Why KFTC publishes this Citizens Legislative Guide
Thirty years ago KFTC members got involved in their first legislative session. Our issues were noticed, our presence was felt, members were empowered, legislators became more accountable and the groundwork was laid for a string of significant legislative victories over the years. The importance of grassroots involvement in the legislative process — whether lobbying in Frankfort or working from home — cannot be understated. We provide the information in this publication to help enable and improve that involvement — and ultimately make Kentucky a better place to live, raise families and do business.
What to expect when you lobby with KFTC in Frankfort IfyoulobbywithKFTCinFrank-fort,hereiswhatyoucanexpect. On most lobbying days, a staffmemberwillmeetwithyouwhenyouarriveinCapitolAnnex(besuretoletKFTCknowaheadoftimethatyouarecoming). Tuesdays,WednesdaysandThurs-day are generally the best lobbyingdayssincelegislatorscomeinlateonMondaysandleaveearlyonFridays. Beforeseeinglegislators,youwillbeupdatedonthestatusofKFTCbillsandwhichlegislatorsneedtobecon-tacted. KFTCwillconductthisbriefingat9a.m.(flexible),aftercitizenlobbyistsmeetintheannexcafeteria. TheKFTCstaffpersonwillalsoletyouknowifthereareanyimportantcommitteemeetingsthatday,oranyimportant votes scheduled on theHouseorSenatefloor. KFTCtriestopairupexperiencedcitizenlobbyistswiththosewithlessornoexperience.Otherthanmeetingwithone’sownlegislators(youmaywanttocallaheadtomakeanappoint-mentwiththem),KFTCdoesnotexpectanyonetolobbybythemselvesunlesstheyfeelcomfortabledoingso.Groupsareusuallymorefunandeffective. Talkingwithlegislatorsisgenerally
apleasantexperience.Mostlegislatorsarehappytoheartheopinionsofthepublic,especiallytheirownconstitu-ents. Legislators do have busy daysorsomejustdon’twanttohearfromcitizens.Thatcanbedisheartening. Youarenotexpectedtoknowallthedetailsofthebillsyouasklegislatorstosupport(oroppose).Whatisimportantisthatyoutellthelawmakerwhyyousupportthebill,andhowitwillaffectyou personally or your community.KFTCcanprovideafactsheetforthedetails. If you are asked a question thatyoudon’tknowtheanswerto,letthatlegislatorthatsomeonefromKFTCwillgetbacktothemwithananswer.Don’tforgettotellaKFTCstaffpersonthatthisneedstobedone! Many KFTC members find thattheyknowasmuchormoreabouttheissueasthelegislatordoes.Don’tbesurprisedby this — legislators haveseveralhundredbillstostudyandcan’tbewell-informedaboutallofthem.Theinformationyouprovidemaybemorethantheyreceivefromanyoneelse. After meeting with legislators,reportbacktotheKFTClobbyingco-ordinatorabouttheconversationandany commitments or questions theyhad.Thisinformationhelpsusprepare
formeetingsonthenextlobbyday. Yourlobbyingexperiencewillin-cludemorethanface-to-facemeetingswithlegislators.Attendingcommitteemeetings or sessions of the Houseor Senate can be interesting and in-formative.AndmeetingotherKFTCmembersfromaroundthestatewillmakethedayenjoyableandremindyouthatyouarepartofalargerfamilyofconcernedKentuckians. Another important thing: whenyou lobby with KFTC, expect to beaskedtolobbyforotherbillsthatmaynotbeyourtoppriority,butareatopprioritytoKFTCmembersfromother
counties.Youcandothisknowingthatother KFTC members are lobbyingtheirownlegislatorsonthebillsthatyouaremostinterestedin. Don’tforgetthatcitizenlobbyingdoesnothavetotakeplaceinthehallsoftheCapitol.Meetingwithyourlegis-latorinhisorherhomedistrictcanbeveryeffective.Thatoftengivesyouachancetogetmorepeopletoattendthemeeting.MostlegislatorsarehomeonweekendswhiletheGeneralAssemblyisinsessionandexpecttomeetwithconstituents. Goodluck.Andenjoythefeelingofknowingyou’remakingadifference.
“Going to Frankfort during the legislative session is one of the
most important things that a citizen can do. It gives you the
opportunity to share your desires in your own words, face to face, with your representatives. Your representatives are waiting to
hear from you. Don’t pass up the opportunity to influence the 2012
Mondayisalegislativeholiday,schedulesmaybealtered.Allsessions,exceptforRulesCommitteemeetings,areopentothepublic. Committeeshaveregularweeklymeetingsscheduled (listed on page 18). Committees mayholdadditionalmeetings,asoftenhappensinthelastweekortwowhenthingsgetrushed.Theseareoftenannouncedonlyadayortwo,sometimesonlyafewhours,aheadoftime. TheLegislativeResearchCommissionoper-atesatoll-freeCalendar linewhichgivestheday’smeetingschedule.Thenumberis:800-633-9650.Donotdependonthismessageformeetingsscheduledatthelastminuteormeetingcancellations.
January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide�
Members of the Kentucky Voting Rights Coalition: NAACP • Kentuckians for the Commonwealth • Kentucky AFL-CIO • League of Women Voters of Kentucky • Catholic Conference of Kentucky • AFSCME Council 62 • Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression • Addiction Recovery Advocates of Kentuckiana • Kentucky Council of Churches • Making Connections, Louisville • People Advocating Recovery (PAR) • Kentucky Mental Health Coalition • Fairness Campaign • Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Kentucky • Kentucky Domestic Violence Association • Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice • Lexington Diocesan Council for Peace and Justice • Fayette Chapter of The Women’s Network • American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky • Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass (TIA) • Kentucky Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (KBC-LEO) • Kentucky Jobs with Justice • Kentucky Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Restoration of Voting RightsKFTC Legislative Priority for 2012
Voting RightsLobby Day
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Room 111, Capitol Annex, 9 a.m. Lobby Orientation
The big rally in the Capitol Rotunda 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
GOAL:To strengthen our democracy by increasing voter participation.Problem:Kentuckyisoneofahandfulofstatesthatpermanentlytakeawaytherighttovotefromallpeopleconvictedofafelonyatanytimeintheirlives.Morethan186,000Kentuckianshavelosttherighttovote.Solution:PassRep.JesseCrenshaw’sbill,HouseBill70,tochangeKentucky’sconstitutionbyrestoringtherighttovotetomostformerfelonsoncetheyhavecompletedhisorherdebttosociety.Asaconstitutionalamendment,itneeds60%ofeachchambertopass,andwouldgotoavoteofthepeopleinNovember2012.Status:ThisbillhaspassedtheHousebylargemarginsineachofthelastseveralyears–buthasbeendeniedahearingintheSenatebySenatePresidentDavidWilliamsandSen.DamonThayer.HB70willstartagainintheHouseElections&ConstitutionalAmendmentsCommittee.
“I’m politically active. I read newspapers and pay a lot of attention to what’s going on
nationally and locally and it’s frustrating not
to be able to participate by voting.”
Ron BarrowLincoln County
“It impacts the children more than anything
else. They learn from us. I fought to get my rights back for them – to show them that my vote counts and
•Formerfelonswhovotearehalfaslikelytocommitaddi-tionalcrimesasformerfelonswhodonotvote(Voting and Subsequent Crime and Arrest,byChristopherUggenandJeffManza).Peoplewhovotebecomemoreintegratedintothecommunityandhaveagreaterstakeintheirsociety,bothofwhichincreasetheirchancestobecomesuccessfulinlife.
January 10, 2012 Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide �
GOAL:We are Kentuckians and we want good jobs, good schools, quality health care, clean drinking water, and healthy and safe communities. Adequate public dollars and honest and transparent governance would make this Kentucky possible.
Solution:TheKentuckyForwardRevenuePlan,house bill 127,sponsoredbyRep.JimWayne,wouldraise$540,000-740,000,whiledirectingabout$100millionbacktolow-andmoderate-incomeworkingfamiliesthroughanEarnedIncomeTaxCredit.
Standing in The Way:Kentucky’scurrenttaxsystemstandsinourway.Becauseourtaxesareoutofbalance,Kentuckydoesn’tgenerateenoughrevenueforadequatefundingforqualityeducation,healthcareandotheressentialservices–eveninanormaleconomy.Theimbalancealsomeansthatourtaxesdisproportionatelyimpactlow-andmiddle-incomeKentuckians.Low-incomeandmiddle-incomeKentuckianspayabout10to11percentoftheirincomeforstateandlocaltaxes,whiletherichestKentuckiansonlypayabout6percent.Wedeserveataxsystemthatgeneratesadequaterevenueandaskseveryonetocontributeequitably.
Principles!KFTC and the Kentucky Forward Coalition believe that tax reform should be built on the following principles:
√ Revenue solutions should sustain a good quality of life in Kentucky through essential investments in good schools, health care, public safety, and other necessary public structures and services.
√ Our taxes should be balanced, reasonable, and fair, with fiscal responsibilities shared equitably among all citizens and businesses by minimizing taxes on low-income people and bringing more balance to our tax code.
√ Our tax structure should be sustainable, with reliably constant sources of revenue that grow along with the economy.
“I want businesses to want to hire my son because he’s skilled, educated and creative. Not because he’s cheap. We need a tax structure that lets us invest in ourselves. That’s what the Kentucky Forward plan would do.”
• More than 1,400 miles of these streams have already been buried or seriously impaired in our state by mountaintop removal and valley fills.
• People living in areas where mining has affected the quality of the water have a lower life expectancy, higher rates of a variety of life-threatening illness, and are 26% more likely to give birth to a child with a birth defect,
• The Appalachian mountains are among the most ancient in the world, home to the nation’s most biologically diverse hardwood forests.
• They are the source of three rivers and provide drinking water for more than a million Kentuckians.
• For many of us these mountains are our home. • They are destroyed forever for the sake of a few decades worth of profit and energy.• Mountaintop removal mining is totally unnecessary to meet the U.S. demand for coal.• This Stream Saver Bill would outlaw the practice of filling in headwater mountain
streams (valley fills) and require companies to put the soil and rock back on the mine site or another unreclaimed site. This common sense measure would greatly reduce the use of mountaintop removal mining.
“These headwater streams provide essential goods and service … Rivers are networks, and their downstream navigable portions are inex-tricably linked to small headwaters just as fine roots are an essential part of the root struc-
ture of a tree or our own circulatory system is dependent on the function of healthy capillar-
ies. The small ephemeral stream is not isolated from the mighty river.”
— from a letter signed by 85 professional aquatic scientists with broad knowledge and expertise in stream ecosystems, all mem-
bers of the National Academy of Sciences, April 2003
KFTC Legislative Priority for 2012
Mine site runoff pollution legislationbackground:Anywaterthatleavesapermittedcoalminehastogothroughapipe;thispipehastohaveawaterpollutionpermitissuedbythestate.ThispermitsetsanumericallimitonthepH,Iron,ManganeseandTotalSuspendedSolidsallowedinthewaterthatisleavingtheminesite.Additionally,coalcompaniesarerequiredtotestforafewotherthingssuchasconductivity.Coalcompaniesarerequiredtotestthewaterleavingallminesitestwiceamonthandthenthosetestresultsaresubmittedtothestatefourtimesayear.
centralAppalachia,butwhencoalcompaniesblowupthesurfaceinordertoexposethecoalthesemetalsleachoutintothestreams.Example: It’s like making coffee, if you just pour water over the whole coffee beans then not much happens, but when you grind up the beans then the coffee is released from the beans into the water. Thepollutionoccursthesameway.
The idea for the bill: KFTCmembersandcoalfieldcitizenswanttoincreasethenumberofmetalstestedeachmonthandtosetnumericlimitsoneachpollutant.SomeofthepollutioncitizenswanttoseelimitsonareArsenic,Chromium,Selenium,Aluminum,DieselFuelandpossiblyothers.
Listedthroughoutthispublicationyouwillfindthetoll-freeLegislativeMessageLine:1-800-372-7181.ThisnumberisoperatedbytheLegislativeResearchCommission(LRC)forleavingmessagesforlegislators. Asitsnameimplies,itisonlyamessageline.Youcannotbetransferredtotalktoalegislatordirectly.Todothat,calltheLRCat502-564-8100andaskfor thespecific legislatoryouwant to talk to (orfindthe legislator’sextensioninthelistingsthatfollow).YoucouldalsousetheMessageLinetoleaveamessageforyourlegislatortocallyouback. When you reach the Message Line, an operator will ask your name,address,phonenumberandmessage.Youcanleaveamessageforoneormorelegislators—evenall138atonetime.However,foryourmessage
Tips for using the Toll-Free Legislative Message Linetobemosteffective,leaveitfornomorethanthreelegislatorsatonetime.Whenyouleaveamessageforthreeorfewerlegislators,theoperatorwillusuallysend individualmessages foreach legislatorandput iton theirdesks.Butwhenthemessageistomorethanthree,oftenjustonemessageiswrittenandpostedonabulletinboard—amuchlesseffectivewaytocommunicate. Besuretothanktheoperators.Theyoftensitatatelephoneforhours,answeringandwritingasfastastheycan!Anddon’tbediscouragedifyougetabusysignal—themessagelineisapopularwaytoreachlegislators. TheMessageLineisopenfrom7a.m.to11p.m.MondaythruThursday,and7a.m.until6p.m.onFridaysduringthelegislativesession.
January 10, 2012 Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide �
Creating A Clean Energy FutureKFTC Legislative Priority for 2012
GOAL: Pass legislation that advances clean, sustainable energy enabling Kentucky to generate new jobs and help all Kentuckians save money and energy.
Opportunity:Wehaveanopportunitytogrowoureconomy,createjobsandsaveKentuckiansmoneyandenergythroughcleanenergysolutionsthatlowerenergycostsandputpeopletowork,buildingoncleanenergyprogressbeingmaderightnowfromPaducahtoPikeville.Solution:PasstheCleanEnergyOpportunityAct,house bill 167,totakemodestbutimportantstepsinthatdirection.ThebillwillkeepKentuckians’electricityratesthesameorlowerthanifwedonothingandcancreate26,000newjobs.
What stands in the way:Kentuckyis93%coal-dependentforourelectricityandwehavedoneverylittleasastatetodiversifyourenergymix.It’simportantweactnow.Kentuckyisatriskofbeingleftbehindasnearbystates,suchasOhio,reapthejobsandotherbenefitsofsimilarcleanenergypoliciesalreadyinplace.Infact,37U.S.stateshaverenewableandenergyefficiencystandardsinplace.
Passing this bill will curb our energy costs and create jobs.• Kentucky’selectricityrateshaverisen41%overthelastfiveyearsandareprojectedtocontinuerising,evenifwedonothingtochangeourcurrentfuelsources.Overthenextdecade,thislegislationwillkeepbillsthesameorloweranditwilldecreaseour
The Clean Energy Opportunity Act will...
• Curb energy costs for our families, farms and businesses
• Use Kentucky’s resources and know-how to put people to work and get our economy back on track and
• Improve Kentuckians’ health and well-being.
It does all these things without costing the state any tax revenue!
It does these things by:
• Setting modest energy savings and renewable energy production goals for most Kentucky utilities over the next 10 years. This is called a Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard or REPS.
• Outlining energy savings targets that would have to come directly from improvements to the homes of low-income Kentuckians
• And, establishing contract terms and payment rates that utilities would pay in-state renewable energy producers. These are called feed-in-tarriffs.
Thursday, January 19, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.Webinar: Introduction to the Clean Energy Opportunity ActLearn more about the clean energy bill that KFTC supports and how to lobby effectively for it. Register by emailing [email protected].
Tuesday, February 28 Clean Energy Lobby Day Join KFTC and the Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance for a full day of meetings with legislators aimed at having good conversations about the benefits of clean energy for Kentuckians and about the specifics of the Clean Energy Opportunity Act of 2012. The group will meet in the Capitol Annex room 113 between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Bring friends or colleagues! Sign up to attend by emailing [email protected].
January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide�
List of House members continued on next page
Kentucky House MembersBelow and on the following pages is information on the members of the Kentucky House of Representatives. If you are not sure who your representative is, the list on page 20-21 may help. All representatives have state-provided e-mail accounts, styled as:
[email protected]. You may access an online email list and form at: www.lrc.ky.gov/whoswho/email.htm.
name, home address (Party) Phone numbers H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties name, home address (Party) Phone numbers
H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties
Important House Telephone NumbersHouse Leaders (elected by full membership of the House)Speaker of the House (Rep. Greg Stumbo) ....................502-564-3366Speaker Pro Tem (Rep. Larry Clark) ...............................502-564-7520
Party Leaders (chosen by their respective party members)Majority Floor Leader (Rep. Rocky Adkins) ...................502-564-5565Minority Floor Leader (Rep. Jeffrey Hoover) ..................502-564-5391Majority Caucus Chair (Rep. Robert Damron) ...............502-564-2217Minority Caucus Chair (Rep. Bob DeWeese) .................502-564-4334Majority Whip (Rep. Tommy Thompson) .......................502-564-7756Minority Whip (Rep. Danny Ford) .................................502-564-5855
House Clerk .................................................................502-564-3900House Members’ Offices ..............................................502-564-8100Message Line for all House Members (toll-free) ............800-372-7181TTY Message Line ........................................................800-896-0305Legislator Fax Line .......................................................502-564-6543
rep. Johnny bell(D)108NorthGreenStreetGlasgow,Kentucky42141
List of House members (continued)name, home address (Party) Phone numbers
H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties name, home address (Party) Phone numbers H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties
“I’m really proud of the lobby-related work KFTC youth have been doing. It’s been awesome to see young folks empowered by sharing the stories that
exist on the citizen side of legislation with the folks who
make those decisions at the state level. I think that lobbying is
important not only as a tool to educate politicians, but also as
one way to be heard.”
Megan Naseman Madison County
January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide1�
RULESGreg Stumbo, chair
Rocky Adkins John A. Arnold Larry Clark Robert Damron Bob DeWeese David Floyd Danny Ford Jeff Hoover Joni L. Jenkins Jimmie Lee Fred Nesler David Osborne Ruth Ann Palumbo Tanya Pullin Jody Richards Steve Riggs Steven Rudy Arnold Simpson Kevin Stinnette John Will Stacy Tommy Thompson Tommy Turner
STATE GOVERNMENTMike Cherry, chair
Linda Belcher Johnny Bell Kevin BratcherDwight Butler Leslie Combs Tim CouchWill Coursey Danny Ford Jim Glenn Derrick Graham Melvin Henley Martha Jane King Jimmie Lee Brad Montell Lonnie Napier Sannie Overly Tanya Pullin Tom Riner Carl Rollins Steven Rudy Sal Santoro John Will Stacy Tommy Thompson John Tilley Tommy Turner Jim Wayne Brent Yonts Alecia Webb-Edgington
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT & ENERGYLeslie Combs, chair
Royce Adams Kevin Bratcher Larry ClarkMyron Dossett Ted Edmonds Jim Gooch Jeff Greer Keith Hall Mike HarmonMelvin Henley Thomas Kerr Kim King Martha Jane King Tom McKee David Osborne John Short Fitz Steele Addia Wuchner Jill York
TRANSPORTATIONHubert Collins, chair
John A. Arnold Linda Belcher Leslie CombsTim Couch Will Coursey Jim DeCesare David Floyd Keith Hall Richard HendersonMelvin Henley Jimmie Lee Donna MayfieldCharles Miller Terry Mills Lonnie Napier Rick Nelson Tanya Pullin Marie RaderSteve Riggs Steven Rudy John ShortArnold Simpson Fitz Steele Jim StewartTommy Turner David Watkins Addia Wuchner Alecia Webb-Edgington
VETERANS, MILITARY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC SAFETY
Tanya Pullin, chairRocye Adams Linda Belcher Johnny Bell Tom Burch Dwight Butler Mike Cherry Larry Clark Leslie Combs Tim Couch Ron Crimm Robert Damron Myron Dossett Bill Farmer David Floyd Jim GlennJeff Greer Martha Jane King Jimmie Lee Terry Mills Tim Moore Rick Nelson Fred Nesler Tom Riner Carl Rollins Sal Santoro Rita Smart John Tilley Ben Waide Alecia Webb-Edgington
House Committee Assignments
Legislative Message Line:800-372-7181
To fax a legislator: 502-564-6543
AGRICULTURE & SMALL BUSINESSTom McKee, chair
Royce Adams John Arnold Johnny Bell John Carney Mike Cherry Will Coursey Jim DeCesare Mike Denham Myron Dossett C. B. Embry Jim Glenn Sara Beth Gregory Richard Henderson Kim King Martha King Michael Meredith Terry Mills Brad Montell Fred Nesler David Osborne Sannie Overly Ryan Quarles Tom Riner Steven Rudy Rita Smart Wilson Stone Tommy Turner Susan Westrom
APPROPRIATIONS & REVENUERick Rand, chair
Royce Adams John Arnold Dwight ButlerJohn Carney Jesse Crenshaw Ron Crimm Mike Denham Bob DeWeese Kelly Flood Danny Ford Derrick Graham Keith Hall Richard Henderson Jimmie Lee Reginald Meeks Lonnie Napier Fred Nesler Sannie Overly Marie Rader Jody Richards Sal Santoro Arnold Simpson Jim Stewart Tommy Turner Jim Wayne Brent Yonts Susan Westrom Alecia Webb-Edgington
BANKING & INSURANCEJeff Greer, chair
Johnny Bell Dwight Butler Will Coursey Ron Crimm Robert Damron Mike Denham Ted Edmonds Joseph Fischer Danny Ford Jim Gooch Sara Beth Gregory Mike Harmon Dennis Horlander Brent Housman Dennis Keene Adam Koenig Michael Meredith Brad Montell Sannie Overly Ryan Quarles Jody Richards Steve Riggs Arnold Simpson Kevin Sinnette Wilson Stone John Tilley David Watkins Tommy Thompson
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEESGreg Stumbo, chair
Rocky Adkins Larry Clark Robert DamronJeff Hoover Tommy Thompson
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTRuth Ann Palumbo, chair
Julie Adams Linda Belcher John Carney Will Coursey Jim DeCesare Mike Denham Bob DeWeese Myron Dossett Ted Edmonds Melvin Henley Dennis Horlander Wade HurtDennis Keene Thomas Kerr Kim KingAdam Koenig Donna Mayfield Terry MillsFred Nesler John Short Wilson Stone Tommy Thompson
EDUCATIONCarl Rollins, chair
Linda Belcher John Carney Hubert Collins Leslie Combs Jim DeCesare Ted Edmonds C. B. Embry Bill Farmer Kelly Flood Jim Glenn Derrick Graham Donna Mayfield Reginald Meeks Charles Miller Rick Nelson Ruth Ann Palumbo Ryan Quarles Marie Rader Jody Richards Tom Riner Rita Smart Ben Waide Wilson Stone David Watkins Alecia Webb-Edgington Addia Wuchner Jill York
Darryl T. Owens, chairKevin Bratcher Larry Clark Joseph Fischer Derrick Graham Mike Harmon Melvin Henley Mary Lou Marzian John Will Stacy
ENROLLMENTSusan Westrom, chair
Rocky Adkins Jeff Hoover John Will Stacy
HEALTH & WELFARETom Burch, chair
Julie Adams John A. Arnold Bob DeWeeseJim Glenn Brent Housman Kelly FloodJoni L. Jenkins Mary Lou Marzian Tim Moore Darryl Owens David Watkins Susan Westrom Ruth Ann Palumbo Ben Waide Addia Wuchner
JUDICIARYJohn Tilley, chair
Johnny Bell Jesse Crenshaw Joseph FischerKelly Flood Sara Beth Gregory Jeff HooverJoni Jenkins Thomas Kerr Stan Lee Mary Lou Marzian Michael Nemes Darryl Owens Tany Tom Riner Steven Rudy Brent Yonts
LABOR & INDUSTRYRick G. Nelson, chair
John A. Arnold Will Coursey C. B. Embry Bill Farmer Richard Henderson Dennis Horlander Wade Hurt Joni L. Jenkins Thomas Kerr Adam Koenig Mary Lou Marzian Charles Miller Terry Mills Mike Nemes Tanya PullinTom Riner Jim Stewart Brent Yonts
LICENSING & OCCUPATIONSDennis Keene, chair
Tom Burch Larry Clark David FloydDennis Horlander Wade Hurt Joni L. JenkinsAdam Koenig Reginald Meeks Charles MillerMike Nemes David Osborne Darryl Owens Ruth Ann Palumbo Carl Rollins Sal Santoro Arnold Simpson Susan Westrom
LOCAL GOVERNMENTSteve Riggs, chair
Julie Adams Ron Crimm Mike DenhamTed Edmonds Richard Henderson Brent HousmanAdam Koenig Stan Lee Tom McKeeMichael Meredith David Osborne Jody RichardsArnold Simpson Kevin Sinnette Rita Smart Jim Wayne
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
Jim Gooch, chairHubert Collins Tim Couch Keith HallStan Lee Reginald Meeks Tim Moore Marie Rader John Short Kevin SinnetteFitz Steele Jim Stewart Jill York
January 10, 2012 Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide 1�
name, home address (Party) Phone numbers H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties name, home address (Party) Phone numbers
H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties
Important Senate Telephone NumbersSenate Leaders (elected by full membership of the Senate)President of the Senate (Sen. David Williams) 502-564-3120President Pro Tem (Sen. Katie Kratz Stine) 502-564-3120
Party Leaders (elected by membership of the respective parties)Majority Floor Leader (Sen. Robert Stivers) 502-564-2450Minority Floor Leader (Sen. R.J. Palmer) 502-564-2470Majority Caucus Chair (Sen. Dan Seum) 502-564-2450Minority Caucus Chair (Sen. Johnny Ray Turner) 502-564-6136Majority Whip (Sen. Carroll Gibson) 502-564-2450Minority Whip (Sen. Jerry Rhoads) 502-564-2470Senate Members’ Offices 502-564-8100Senate Clerk 502-564-5320Message Line for all House Members (toll-free) 800-372-7181TTY MESSAGE LINE 800-896-0305LEGISLATOR FAX LINE 502-564-6543
Sen. Walter blevins, Jr.(D)115HillNDaleMorehead,KY40351
A note about email: all senators have state-provided e-mail accounts. They are styled as follows: [email protected]. Not all senators respond to email.
name, home address (Party) Phone numbers H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties name, home address (Party) Phone numbers
H-HomeW-WorkA-Annex District – Counties
January 10, 2012 Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide 1�
Stay in touch with the General Assembly
Citizens who wish to stay in touch with their legislators and keep track of legislative activities have toll-free telephone num-bers for their use. These are a Legislator Message Line to leave messages for legislators (also available in TTY and Spanish), a Bill Status Line to check the status of any bill and a Calendar Line to receive a taped calendar of committee meetings for that day. A number is also available for sending faxes to legislators. Those toll-free (except the fax) numbers are:
MESSAGE LINE .............................. 1-800-372-7181
BILL STATUS LINE ........................ 1-866-840-2835
CALENDAR LINE ......................... 1-800-633-9650
TTY MESSAGE LINE .................... 1-800-896-0305
EN ESPANOL ................................. 1-866-840-6574
LEGISLATOR FAX LINE .............. 1-502-564-6543
“I have talked to several long-time members who say they were terrified of lobbying and speaking
before committees in the legislature. But once they
found their voice, they were empowered. I think
this sense of empowerment is what KFTC gives to its members. When you know that you have a strong group backing you up,
you no longer feel like an isolated voice that no one hears. You have power!”
Toby WilcherMadison County
Sen. Katie Stine(R)21FairwayDriveSouthgate,KY41071
January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide1�
Finding and Tracking legislation1.TO FinD OuT WhaT billS haVe been FileD:TheLegislativeResearchCommission(LRC)maintainsanonlineandawrittenlegislative recordofallbillsandresolutionsthathavebeenfiledandallactiontaken.Thein-ternetisthequickestwaytoaccessthisinformation.Goto:www.lrc.ky.gov/record/12rs/record.htmtofindHouseorSenatebillsandresolutionsbynumberorsponsor.Therealsoisanindextohelplocatebillsbytopic. Onceyoufindthebillyouarelookingfor,theRecordwilllistallsponsors(thefirstnamelistedistheprimarysponsor;anycosponsorsarelistedalphabetically)andabillsummary.Ifyouclickonthebillnumber(e.g.HB385)youwilldownloadacopyofthatbillinMicrosoftWordformat.Thissummarypagealsolistsallofficialactiontakenonthatbill.Thisinformationisupdatedeachnightafteralegislativeday. AprintedcopyoftheLegislativeRecordispublishedeachlegislativeday.Asinglecopyis$2.75(pluspostageifmailed),andliststhesameinformationontheonlinerecord.AmailsubscriptiontothedailyRecordis$165(pluspostage,ifmailed);foraFriday-onlyRecordthecostis$38.50(pluspostage).ManypubliclibrariesmaygetacopyoftheprintedLegislativeRecord,andalsohavecomputersforpublicuse. TheLRCcanmailyouacopyofanybill,committeesubstituteoramendment.Thecostis$.05perpage.Youmustknowthebillnumbertorequestacopyofit.Thereisaminimumchargeof$1tohaveabillmailedtoyou.
2.TO KeeP uP WiTh billS OF inTereST:Inadditiontotheresourcesabove,thereareotherswaystokeepupwiththestatusabill.Youcancallthetoll-freebill Status line at 866-840-2835tofindoutanythingthathashap-penedtoaparticularbillupthroughthepreviousday.Itishelpfultoknowthenumberofthebillyouarecallingabout.Youmayalsofollowtheday-to-dayactivitiesofthelegislaturethroughnightlybroadcastsontheKentuckyEducationalTelevision. AnewLRCserviceisitsonlinebill Watch.Registereduserscancreateprofilesbasedonbillsubjectortopic(suchaskeywords,sponsors,committees,subjectorbillnumber).Youwillreceiveemailnotificationtoaregularemailormobileemailaccountwhennewbillsareofferedorchangedbasedonthecriteriayousetup.Goto:www.lrc.ky.gov/legislation.htmtoregister.
Much of this information, as well as additional information, for bills that KFTC is working on in the 2012 General Assembly can also be found on KFTC’s web site: www.kftc.org/generalassembly.
Get Involved, Stay Informed ...You can be involved by:
• keeping informed — watching the news and reading newspapers, or visiting the LRC’s web site
• lobbying with KFTC and attending leg-islative hearings
• calling, writing and visiting your rep-resentative and senator at home or in Frankfort
• becoming a member of KFTC and keep-ing informed through KFTC’s newspa-per, web site, and phone tree
Useful telephone numbersLegislative Message Line 800-372-7181TTY Message Line 800-896-0305En Espanol 866-840-6574Bill Status Line 866-840-2835Calendar Line 800-633-9650Leg. Research Comm. 502-564-8100Public Bill Room Ext. 527, 502-564-8100House of Rep. Ext. 746, 502-564-8100Senate Ext. 743, 502-564-8100Governor’s Office 502-564-2611Attorney General 502-696-5300
If you would like to get on KFTC’s email legislative action alert list, contact [email protected]
house Committee MeetingsHousecommitteeshaveregularlyscheduledmeetings,aslistedbelow.
1. Clearly identify yourself. Tell them who you are, if you are representing a group, and why you or your group cares about the issue.2. Tellthetruth.Ifyoudon’tknowtheanswertosomething,behonestaboutit.Tellthelegislatoryouwillfindoutandgetbacktothem.Anddoit!3. BePolite.Befriendly,butfirm.Respectalegislator’srighttodisagree.Apositive,friendlyapproachworksbest!4. Comeprepared.Knowyourfacts—figuresdomatter!Youshouldbeabletotellwhereyourfigurescamefrom.Itisveryimportanttohavewell-designedandwritten
materials to supplement what you are saying. With the materials in their possession, it will remind them of your issue even when you are not there. These materials are also helpful for those who want to lobby but who don’t feel completely comfortable talking about the issues.
5. Wheneverpossible,personalizeyourmessage.Tellyourexperienceorsomeoneelse’spersonalexperiencearoundtheissue.Weallknowhowpowerfulourstoriesare!People are more likely to remember a personal story than a statistic.
6. Be clear and concise. Legislators are often busy. Don’t take any more of their time than necessary. Be brief but to the point. Make an appointment ahead of time, if pos-sible. Thank them for taking the time to meet with you.
7. Be thick skinned. Legislators can often come across as dismissive and impolite. Expect to feel frustrated. Don’t let a negative experience discourage you or hold you back. Keep your cool and be polite and persistent. The experiences with friendly, encouraging and grateful legislators will outweigh the negative encounters.
8. Followup.Letothersknowthelegislator’spositionandconfirmanyfavorablepositionwithathankyouletter.Andremember,ifthelegislatorhasaskedformorein-formation, get it to them.
10. Rememberthatyouaremakingadifference.GrassrootscitizensareimportantinFrankfort!Evenifyoudon’tgettheanswersoractionsyouarelookingfor,youarehelping to hold legislators accountable and building the base for long-term change.
Kentucky Senate Committee MembershipAll of the legislature’s “standing committees” have a regular weekly meeting. Certain commit-
tees may meet more often as their workload demands. All committee meetings except for the Rules Committee, are open to the public. For a schedule of when the committees meet, see page 18.
AGRICULTURE David Givens, chair
Joe Bowen Carroll Gibson Paul HornbackBob Leeper Vernie McGaha Dennis ParrettJoey Pendleton Dorsey Ridley Damon ThayerRobin Webb Ken Winters
APPROPRIATIONS & REVENUE Bob Leeper, chair
Walter Blevins Joe Bowen Tom Buford Jared Carpenter Denise Harper Angel Ernie HarrisJimmy Higdon Paul Hornback Ray JonesAlice Forgy Kerr Vernie McGaha Gerald Neil R.J. Palmer Joey Pendleton Brandon SmithJack Westwood Mike Wilson
BANKING & INSURANCE Tom Buford, chair
Jared Carpenter Julian Carroll Julie DentonTom Jensen Dennis Parrett Jerry RhoadsDorsey Ridley John Schickel Dan SeumBrandon Smith
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES David L. Williams, chair
Carroll Gibson R.J. Palmer Jerry RhoadsDan Seum Katie Kratz Stine Robert Stivers Johnny Ray Turner
ECONOMIC DEV., TOURISM & LABOR Alice Forgy Kerr, chair
Jared Carpenter Julian Carroll Julie Denton Ernie Harris Jerry Rhoads Tim ShaughnesyKathy Stein Katie Kratz Stine Jack WestwoodKen Winters Denise Harper Angel
EDUCATION Ken Winters, chair
Walter Blevins Jared Carpenter David GivensDenise Harper Angel Jimmy Higdon Alice Forgy KerrVernie McGaha Gerald Neal R.J. PalmerJohnny Ray Turner Jack Westwood Mike Wilson
ENROLLMENT Jack Westwood, chair
Julian Carroll Katie Kratz Stine
HEALTH & WELFARE Julie Denton, chair
Joe Bowen Tom Buford Perry ClarkDavid Givens Alice Forgy Kerr Dennis ParrettJoey Pendleton Katie Kratz Stine Jack Westwood Denise Harper Angel
JUDICIARY Tom Jensen, chair
Perry Clark Carroll Gibson Ray JonesJerry Rhoads John Schickel Dan SeumBrandon Smith Katie Kratz Stine Robert Stivers Robin Webb
John Schickel, chairTom Buford Julian Carroll Julie DentonDenise Harper Angel Jimmy Higdon Paul HornbackDan Seum Kathy Stein Damon ThayerRobin Webb
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY Brandon Smith, chair
Joe Bowen Ernie Harris Tom JensenRay Jones Bob Leeper Dorsey RidleyKatie Kratz Stine Robert Stivers Robin WebbJohnny Ray Turner
RULES David L. Williams, chair
Carroll Gibson R. J. Palmer Jerry RhoadsDan Seum Katie Kratz Stine Robert StiversJohnny Ray Turner
STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT Damon Thayer, chair
Walter Blevins Jimmy Higdon Tom JensenAlice Forgy Kerr Gerald Neal John Schickel R.J. Palmer Dan Seum Robert StiversJohnny Ray Turner
TRANSPORTATION Ernie Harris, chair
David Givens Jimmy Higdon Paul HornbackRay Jones Bob Leeper John SchickelTim Shaughnessy Brandon Smith Damon ThayerJohnny Ray Turner Mike Wilson
VETERANS, MILITARY AFFAIRS, & PUBLIC PROTECTION
Jack Westwood, chairPerry Clark Carroll Gibson Vernie McGahaDennis Parrett Joey Pendleton Dan SeumTim Shaughnessy Kathy Stein Katie Kratz StineMike Wilson Ken Winters
January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide20
Legislators by county Usethislisttoidentifythelegislatoranddistrictforeachcounty.Incountieswithmorethanonerepresentativeorsenator,callthecountyclerktolearnexactdistrictboundaries.
COunTy representative/Senator District COunTy representative/Senator District
January 10, 2012 Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide 21
Do you care about KFTC’s issues or others that affect you or your community? Then get involved. Contact your legislators. Talk to your neighbors. Write letters to the editor. Join
KFTC and lobby with us in Frankfort. Your voice is important and it does make a difference.
www.KFTC.org. and www.KFTC.org/blog
Need extra copies of this Citizens Legislative Guide?
Contact the KFTC London office at: 606-878-2161 or [email protected]
COunTy representative/Senator District COunTy representative/Senator District COunTy representative/Senator District
January 10, 2012Kentuckians For The Commonwealth — 2012 Citizens Legislative Guide22
Finding or calling a legislator at the CapitolKentucky senators have offices on the second floor, representatives on the third and fourth floors, of the Capitol Annex, located directly behind the Capitol build-ing. Each legislator has his or her own office. Several legislators are served by each reception area and receptionist. The Senate and House leaders also have offices in the Capitol, third floor. If you wish to call and talk to a legislator directly (instead of leaving a message on the toll-free line), call 502-564-8100 and ask for the extension listed below. Where a four-digit extension is listed, call 502-564- then the four digits.
The governor has 10 days to sign a bill or it becomes law automatically. The governor may veto a bill if he or she opposes it.
The legislature may override a veto if at least 50 percent of the members in both chambersvotetodoso.Newlawstakeeffect90daysafter the legislature adjourns unless it passed with an emergency clause, whereby it takes effect immedi-ately.
Atanystepintheprocess,abillmaybemodified oramended.Ifdifferentversionsofthesamebillpasseachchamber, a conference committee made up of senators and repre-sentativesisformedtoreachacompromise.Acompromisebillmustpass both chambers again. If it does, it is sent to the governor.
IfabillgetsthroughtheRulesCommittee,itissenttotheHouse orSenatefloorwhereitissupposedtobereadandvotedon.Amendmentscanbeandoftenareproposedonthefloor.Occasionally,legislativeleadersrefusetoallowa bill to be voted on. If a bill receives a majority vote, it is sent to the other legislative chamber where it must go through a similar process of hearings and votes.
Afterapprovalbya standing committee, the bill goes to the Rules Committee whichmay refer it to the full membership (floor) or send it back to anotherstanding committee for further con-sideration (a tactic some-times used tokillabill).TheRulesCommitteehasa lot of power.
Thefirststepistostartwithanidea. Many ideas come from legislators, but the public may also suggest new laws and even write proposed legislation.
When citizens have an idea for a new law, they mustfindalegislatorwillingtoactasitssponsorintheGeneralAssembly.Everybillmusthavea sponsor,andabill canhaveseveralco-sponsors.SimilarbillscanhavesponsorsinboththeHouseandtheSenate.
The legislator asks the Legislative ResearchCommission(LRC)to put the idea into legal language, or to draft a bill. The LRC may do any nec-essary research, note any projectedfiscalimpact,andmake sure the idea does not conflict with any existinglaws.
Next, the bill is introduced into the General Assembly, either in the House or the Senate depending onwhether the sponsor is a representative or senator (all revenue measures mustoriginateintheHouse).ThebillfirstgoestotheCommitteeonCommittees which assigns it to a standing committee. Some bills may bepre-filedintheinterimbetweenlegislativesessionsbutmayonlybepassed while the legislature is in session.
Many, but not all, bills have a hearing before a standing committee and are approved or not approved by a majority vote of committee members. The committee chairperson sometimes does not bring up a bill as a way to kill it. Committee hearings are open to the public and citizens may testify for or against a bill at the discretion of the chairperson.
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How A Bill Becomes A Law In Kentucky
Kentucky Needs Your VoiceRight now is the best chance to build New Power in Kentucky. But we have to address the problems caused by Old Power — old political power, old economic power and old energy power!
Join KFTC members in Frankfort as we lobby, march and rally for New Power.
CLEAN ENERGY LOBBY DAY Tuesday, February 28
Join allies in the Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance for a day of conversations with legislators about the benefits of clean energy and the Clean Energy Opportunity Act of 2012. Meet in Room 113 of the Capitol Annex with a rolling orienta-
tion between 8:30 am and 10:30 am
VOTING RIGHT LOBBY DAY Thursday, March 8
Join us as we speak out for voting rights for former felons who have served their debt to society. Meet in Room 111 of the Capitol Annex starting at 8:30 am and lobbying through-out the day with a rally in Capitol Rotunda from 1:30 pm to
2:30 pm.
I LOVE MOUNTAINS DAY Tuesday, February 14
Join hundreds of Kentuckians in standing up for our land, water and people. Gather at noon on the Capitol steps for a march that will start at 12:30, followed by a rally on the steps at 1 pm. Wear red, bring a homemade sign and a pinwheel.
Register and find information at www.kftc.org/love.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE LOBBY DAY Wednesday, January 18
Join us in Room 113 of the Capitol Annex starting at 8:30 am and lobbying throughout the day.