Jan. 23, 2008 — Education Focus of First Week
The 2008 General Assembly opened soberly with news of tight budgetary times ahead. As Chairman of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, I am closely monitoring the situation but want to assure you that we are not in a crisis. What we are facing is a spending problem, not a revenue one. Nonetheless, it will be a challenge as we sit down together in a bipartisan way to craft the Commonwealth's next 2 year budget. We will meet our obligations to Kentuckians, both young and old.
With that said, education is one of the most powerful economic development tools we have. Several education-related bills were introduced and discussed in committee next week.
One proposal will provide incentives for public schools to provide or expand student access to rigorous science and mathematics curricula through Advance Placement (AP) courses which if students score well on, can be accepted as college credit.
Another bill will address the critical shortage of mathematics and science teachers by allowing for an alternative certification process for those with specialties in these subject areas. In order to succeed in the economy of the future, our children must have a solid foundation in the higher math and science fields. We must have teachers who can convey knowledge in these areas.
Finally, approximately 40% of KEES recipients drop out of college after their sophomore year. About 36% graduate in 6 years. This is unacceptable. Legislation has been introduced to push college students to take the necessary course load each semester so that graduation can occur within the semesters that KEES scholarships are awarded. The state should encourage graduation.
Other issues that will likely be taken up this session include proposals to reform the state employees pension system (which is indeed in a crisis situation and threatens to take funds away from other areas) and help provide a funding mechanism for the state's huge transportation mega-projects. Roads are crucial for economic growth and Kentucky is blessed with our central geographic location. We must take advantage of our unique position.
This is a "long" 60-day session. Your input is critical. Please feel free to contact my office toll-free at 800/372-7181 with any questions or concerns.
Borders Review Session Week
Committee meetings have begun again which mark one of the first steps a bill must go through on it way to become law. In a typical 60-day session, about 1,000 pieces of legislation are introduced so the committees have their work cut out for them sifting through testimony and research.
Our week began with a joint session with the House of Representatives where the Governor gave his State of the Commonwealth address. He gave a general overview of the way he saw the financial state of the state. As the Chairman of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, I believe that while times are tight, we have a manageable situation. It is our intention in the Senate to work with him to find common ground. We must not go backwards in our investments in education and infrastructure.
The full Senate also passed its first bill of the 2008 session. Senate Bill 5 would eliminate the primary-election runoff in the governor's race. Under current law, a runoff is needed when no slate receives at least 40 percent of the votes in its party's primary. While the runoff system may have made sense when Kentucky was largely a one-party state, the competitive balance that now exists between the parties assures us that whoever wins in November has broad-based support. Before, counties statewide could have spent $5.4 million Ñ $1,500 per voting precinct Ñ a financial bite few if any of them could afford. This money-saving bill will now go to the House for consideration.
Both the Senate Education and Judiciary Committees passed out legislation that we expect to vote on as a full Senate next week. Under Senate Bill 2, schools could receive grant money to develop middle- and high-school programs to boost the number of students taking rigorous math and science classes. A similar provision would seek to expand energy-technology career education across the Commonwealth. If we want to ensure a better future for our children and grandchildren, we need to make sure they have the tools to compete and reach their full potential. Our target is to offer all students the opportunity to take challenging courses that both engage their intellects and prepare them for the new world economy.
Over in the Judiciary Committee, Senate Bill 71 saw clear sailing. With this bill, law enforcement could arrest anyone caught driving under the influence of drugs, within certain parameters. Blood or urine tests would be used to determine whether the driver was impaired; prescription drugs taken as directed would not be illegal. Also, highly intoxicated drivers could face incarceration for a first DUI offense.
As always, please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns you might have about the above legislation or any other issue. My toll free number is 1/800-372-7181. You can also follow all the Frankfort action online at http://lrc.ky.gov.
