Legislative Update - Week 2
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday to reconvene following a constitutionally required break in the 2023 30-day legislative session.
I was proud to manage House Bill 1 through the Senate. House Bill 1 codifies the income tax reduction from 5 percent to 4.5 percent that went into effect on January 1. The bill further lowers the income tax to 4 percent beginning on January 1, 2024.
Additional tax reform, moving away from taxing production and more emphasis on consumption, not only keeps more money in wage earners' pockets but it builds on the record years of economic success in the commonwealth. This success comes primarily from conservative, pro-business policies enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly that have allowed for a stable economic and business-friendly environment.
Along with House Bill 1, the Senate passed House Bill 2 on Wednesday, which provides over $16 million to support the construction of a new veterans center in Bowling Green. The center is the fifth in the state and will provide services to veterans in the south-central region. The need for this funding support is, unfortunately, partly because of high inflation, which has dramatically increased the cost of construction.
An issue that dominated the media and lawmakers' attention through the session's break involved the state Department of Juvenile Justice. I'm confident you have heard about and followed recent disturbing reports from within the DJJ system, including the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl in Adair County and the brutal assault of employees in Bowling Green. Much work is left to be done, but I'm happy to say some legislative efforts have prompted the executive branch to better protect our detained youth and staff.
The Senate initiated a DJJ working group which met extensively over the session's break. The workgroup communicated its recommendations to Governor Andy Beshear. Proposals that have been met as of this legislative update include:
Provide 24/7 Kentucky State Police presence at facilities housing the most violent offenders.
Identify specific immediate, intermediate, and long-term resources needed to address the crisis and gaps in the law that can aid in the department's efforts.
Make trauma care available to staff and youth victims in DJJ facilities.
Develop and maintain a tracking notification system concerning the transportation and status of youth offenders so that parents, legal guardians, and law enforcement entities can be aware.
Address raises and recruitment.
Still, lawmakers have made recommendations to the Governor that remain unmet, some of which could be the most meaningful. They are:
Consider replacing department leaders who have failed to create a culture within DJJ where employees and youth can feel safe and begin a nationwide search for qualified replacements. The DJJ workgroup has concluded a toxic culture exists within the department that money alone could never repair.
Provide unfettered access to cabinet and department officials but, most importantly, the rank and file employees who have indicated fear of retaliation from those above them.
Allow for an independent inspection of DJJ facilities to determine if health and safety measures are up to expectation and if policies and procedures are being met.
Explain failures to implement past recommendations.
DJJ workgroup leaders outlined met and unmet recommendations during a press conference on February 2. They also formally requested the state auditor of public accounts to contract with an independent organization for a full audit of DJJ.
The final bill passing the Senate this week was Senate Bill 20, prohibiting the application known as Tik Tok on all state government devices. This bill ensures Kentucky is doing its part to prevent the Chinese communist government from accessing state government information. The bill will now head to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
Find the status of legislation by calling 866-840-2835, legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650, or leaving a message for lawmakers at 800-372-7181. You can watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and Legislature.ky.gov.
You can learn more about these bills and others by visiting www.legislature.ky.gov. Thank you for staying engaged in the legislative process. It is an honor to serve you in Frankfort.