This Week at the State Capitol

January 8, 2016

FRANKFORT -- As Kentucky lawmakers returned to the State Capitol this week to

start the 2016 legislative session, they entered Senate and House chambers that
had undergone major renovations to preserve century-old furnishings while also
introducing new technology.
The mixture of the old and new was a good representation of the issues themselves
that lawmakers will confront throughout this winters session. Some of the matters
are perennial issues while others are emerging challenges unique to our times.
The big issue, though, is clearly the challenge of crafting the states next budget, a
two-year plan that will guide about $21 billion worth of spending. For the first time
in a while, incoming revenue is a bit ahead of projections. Still, the few million
dollars Kentucky will have beyond initial projections in the next fiscal year is far
outsized by the spending request from universities, state police and many other
agencies. Once again, the budget is likely to feel tight to many.
The budget process will take a big step forward on January 26 when Gov. Matt Bevin
presents his spending plan in a speech to lawmakers that will be delivered during a
joint session of the General Assembly and broadcast to a statewide audience by
Kentucky Educational Television. Once the budget proposal is handed off to
lawmakers, budget subcommittees will start digging into the spending plan and
lawmakers will begin considering changes to ensure that the final plan that they
agree is one that reflects their own priorities.
A couple other major issues of the 2016 session came into focus this week as
legislative leaders unveiled Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1 bills that receive the
top numeric designation to indicate their importance to each chambers leadership.
The focus of Senate Bill 1 is on education, with supporters saying it will reform
educational standards and assessments in a way that helps produce college and
career ready Kentucky graduates.
House Bill 1 proposes that the state issue $3.3 billion in bonds to help shore up the
Kentucky Teachers Retirement System and curtail the systems unfunded liability.
With so many big issues about to start moving through the Legislature, its an
important time for citizens to stay in touch with lawmakers and share their views on
the issues that will be voted on in the days to come. There are several easy ways
citizens can provide their feedback to the General Assembly:
The Kentucky Legislature Home Page, www.lrc.ky.gov, provides information on each
of the Commonwealths senators and representatives, including phone numbers,
addressees, and committee assignments. The site also provides bill texts, a billtracking service, and committee meeting schedules.

To leave a message for any legislator, call the General Assemblys Message Line at
1-800-372-7181. People with hearing difficulties may leave messages for
lawmakers by calling the TTY Message Line at 1-800-896-0305.
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