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Columns

  • Administration, Congress should work together to address the Zika virus

    Like many Kentuckians, I’m concerned about the Zika virus and the growing number of reports of people infected. In a recent meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House, I raised the issue of the spread of this virus and what it could mean for Kentucky and the country as we head into warmer weather this spring and summer.

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  • Heathcare, education reform are top issues

    With many guests, packed committee meetings and energetic rallies, it was another exciting week in Frankfort. Hollywood stars, national organizations and winter weather greeted the Kentucky General Assembly during week six of the 2016 Session. 

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  • Infrastructure, economic development were top issues for House last week

    The General Assembly debates dozens of bills each legislative session, but most fall under several broad categories: education, health and public safety, infrastructure and economic development.

    Those last two were the chief focus of the Kentucky House’s work last week, as my colleagues and I approved legislation that would make it easier for government and the private sector to work together and that would take an in-depth look at the state’s workforce development programs.

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  • Budget, bills must pass committee first before heading to House, Senate

    Just as it is often said that games are won or lost during practice, a similar principle applies as well to legislation.  Before a bill can clear the House or Senate, it has to make it through a committee first.

    That groundwork is especially crucial when it comes to the budget, which Gov. Matt Bevin proposed late last month and the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee began reviewing in-depth last week.  The chamber is on track to complete this work and vote by the early days of March.

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  • Pro-life bill is first to be signed by Gov. Bevin; service honors Powers

    The fifth week of the 2016 Legislative Session in Frankfort was historic in a number of ways. Gov. Matt Bevin signed his first piece of legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 4. We also said goodbye to former State Senator and civil rights activist, Georgia Davis Powers. 

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  • Bevin delivers state of the state address

    Week four of the Kentucky General Assembly marked a momentous occasion for our state. Gov. Matt Bevin gave his first State of the Commonwealth Budget Address, laying out a plan that will guide Kentucky out of the financial mire that has lingered for the past eight years.

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  • Lawmakers begin working on state’s two-year budget, eyeing many cuts

    The biggest responsibility the governor and the General Assembly have during legislative sessions in even-numbered years is enacting a budget to run state government.  It sets our priorities in a way no other law can.

    The budget process actually began months ago, when agencies compiled their projected needs while the state’s economists, known as the Consensus Forecasting Group, determined exactly how much the state could appropriate.

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  • Being in shape is not always about losing weight

    We all know controlling what we eat is easily the hardest part of getting in shape. It’s a lot more fun just focusing on the gym and the training that feels good. It is the adrenaline pump. So let’s check out these 20 dietary/nutritional tips that may help take the guesswork out of the hardest part of gaining lean mass!

    For most people, eating is a slippery slope. Getting just the right amount of calories to maintain scale weight can be a challenge, and the dangers of over eating are everywhere.

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  • House had a busy week despite holiday

    With the General Assembly off on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and on Friday because of the snow, last week was an especially short one for legislators.

    A reduced schedule didn’t keep the House from moving several bills forward, however.

    On Wednesday, for example, the chamber’s Judiciary Committee put its support behind House Bill 229, which would give the Attorney General’s office jurisdiction to pursue and prosecute human trafficking cases. 

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  • Bill requiring abortion-seekers to have face-to-face counseling passes Senate

    Although week three of the General Assembly was short due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the inclement weather Friday, the Kentucky Senate passed significant bills and welcomed visitors who braved the snow in Frankfort.

    On Tuesday we passed two of our priority bills: Senate Bill (SB) 4 and SB 10. SB 4 would require those seeking an abortion to have a face-to-face, in-person counseling session with a physician 24 hours prior to the procedure. This effort to promote the rights of the unborn passed with bipartisan support.

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