District 36 Newsletter
August 2023
|
|
Greetings!
Did you see the happy story from the newly staffed Fisherville Fire House? They delivered "emergency baby" Lucas Eaton in the middle of the night on July 20 when the mom was too far along in labor to make it to the hospital. Situations like this are exactly why we must have EMS and Fire protection available in our 40023 area. And, by the way, these are NOT Metro Louisville services, they are provided by a separate Fire/EMS taxing district. I testified at a Metro hearing July 24 on how the 20 year old City-County Merger is working out... Spoiler Alert: It is not working out well for District 36. We have Fire and EMS coverage here only because we pay for it separately, about $1000 per home per year.
We pay a ton more in Metro taxes, and get few Metro services as compared to the area inside the Watterson expressway. It amounts to taxation without representation.
See full text of my remarks here. The committee is charged with listening to the public and recommending changes, which could be acted on by the Legislature. Stay tuned.
=========================================================================
We are in the "Interim Joint Committee" part of the year, where I am meeting regularly in Frankfort with House and Senate committees to discuss 2024 proposed bills in detail, and hear testimony from interested parties. I am also attending national legislative conferences to learn from other states how they are addressing issues in technology, elections, crime, education etc.
- Elections & Constitutional Amendments
- State Government
- Transportation
- Information Technology Oversight Board (newly formed)
Watch live internet video of the session and committees on this KET link.
My office number is 351D in the Capitol Annex.
Office phone is 502-564-8100.
I will do my best to answer your questions and consider your input on District 36 issues if you would like to contact me. Liberty is a team sport!
|
|
Let's protect faith, family, and freedom in KY! |
|
District 36 Road & Traffic Plans
It's 2024-25 Road Budget planning time!
I am in a series of meetings in Frankfort and Louisville to negotiate the 2 year road budget that will be voted on next Spring. See below for details.
Sign up here for email ROAD CONSTRUCTION & DETOUR UPDATES
|
|
The Road Plan is a complicated and competitive process, as there are 99 other Legislators like me who are seeking the limited project funds for the next 2 years.
Here is the process:
1) 2050 Plan - KIPDA is a metropolitan government planning agency that produces a 20+ year plan for our area, with public input. That is updated, and I participated to ensure that all significant road and transportation needs in our District were included.
2) SHIFT Plan - KYTC, with input from Legislators and others, things like accidents, traffic, economic growth, and cost/benefit are put into a matrix that scores every proposed project. We are updating that for 2023. Here is our current SHIFT matrix for District 5, scores and ranking subject to change in 2023, and are not binding - just a statistical recommendation. I will be working on our 2023 SHIFT scoring update soon.
The highest ranked road projects in District 36 as of 2022 are:
1 - Widen KY155 and Pope Lick bridge - project 5-8908 and 5-808, in work
2 - US60/Gilliland intersection 66- project 5-8952, in design
3 - US60 widening to N English Station - project 5-80001, in design
4 - Widen KY1819 - project IP20210092 and IP20210082 - not started
5 - Old Henry Extension - project 5-367.20 - in work
6 - New Exit off I64 east of Gene Syder - project 5-80002 - not started
7 - Widen Taylorsville Rd east of Jtown - project IP20080201 - not started
8 - Widen US 60 to Shelby County - project IP20080198 - not started
9 - Plantside Drive extension to 155 - project 5-80003.00 - funded, not started
10 - Eastwood-Fisherville connector to I64 - project 5-80000 - not started
3) 6 Year Highway Plan - Current is from 2022-2028. This is a plan, not a budget, but it is passed by the Legislature, and the 2 year Road Budget should generally follow its priority order. It is very difficult to get a project budgeted that is not in this plan, unless there is some emergency situation. Here is a cool interactive map you can zoom in on for project details.
4) 2 Year Road Budget - The Current budget runs July 1 2022 to Jun 30 2024 (fiscal years). If you are having trouble sleeping, peruse the 244 page bill that funds every road project in the state. You can use "Control-F" on your keyboard to search for Jefferson County or road names to find stuff easier. Yes, yes I know. I am an engineer by trade, and the format of this plan is painful for me also. Gubmint...
5) Active Projects - KYTC District 5 (our area) makes updates on road projects, which frequently span multiple budget cycles, and I try to feature updates in this newsletter. They have some nice details, maps, and charts and animations on their website.
Bottom Line: I will be making sure that District 36 competes effectively for scarce road funds in the Budget Planning process over the next few months, and there may be a time that I need to call for some "helpful pressure" from community groups to make sure the rest of KY understands our needs. Stay tuned. Community involvement is important. I welcome any feedback or information you have.
|
|
Independence Day bonus item: Treason and "Corruption of Blood" |
|
US Constitution, Section 3
- Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
- The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
So what the heck is "Corruption of Blood"? In mother England, someone could be declared a Traitor without a trial, just by an act of the legislature (attainder), and a traitor would not only be imprisoned and/or executed, they would have their property confiscated, and their children/heirs would have "corruption of blood" forever and be unable to inherit the traitor's property, or even hold public office. All the signers of the Declaration of Independence and their children would have been subject to this penalty if the War for Independence had not been successful! So... they made sure this practice was forbidden in our Constitution.
Section 3 came in handy in 1866, as America was healing from the Civil War, and some tried to restrict the rights of those who had been loyal to the Confederacy, even after the war was over and oaths of allegiance had been sworn to the Union.
|
|
The KY Constitution of 1891 Section 20 Attainder, operation of restricted.
"No person shall be attained (arrested) of treason or felony by the General Assembly, and no
attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor, except during the life of the offender,
forfeiture of estate to the Commonwealth."
In Kentucky, there were many killings and legal challenges for 40+ years that dated back to Civil War grudges, including the assasination of a governor-elect in 1900, the only one in US History. The Constitution reflects the desire to not to let conflicts legally continue even to the next generation. |
|
Legislative Update - Business Licensing Bills |
|
2023 Legislative Action on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations - I voted "yes" on these bills with my colleagues
Protecting consumers in transactions with real estate wholesalers--HB 62 protects consumers by requiring real estate wholesalers to follow the same rules, regulations, and oversight as licensed estate agents.
Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act– HB 167 modernizes the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. Provisions include establishing a framework for the use of telehealth; creating a voluntary registration and inspection program; implementing a new credential for allied animal health professionals working in animal chiropractic; and creating an educational incentive to attract new graduates to rural areas and food animal species.
Addressing the workforce shortage in barbering and barbering schools– HB 172 expedites the process for an individual to become a licensed barber instructor to 12 months to address a shortage in barbers and barbering school instructors.
Changing Deposit Requirements for Charitable Gaming Organizations– HB 287 allows designated licensed charitable organizations to make weekly deposits instead of requiring them to be made within two-days.
Legalizing wagering on live sports events– HB 551 allows Kentuckians 18 and older to wager on live sporting events. The measure requires online gaming providers associate with a Kentucky horse racing track and provides the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission with regulatory responsibility over gaming companies. Sports wagering could be provided through a licensed facility for sports wagering or online through a website or mobile App. HB 551 provides a fee framework that includes a 9.75% tax on the adjusted gross revenue of sports wagering at racetracks and 14.25% tax levied on online wagering. Monies received are designated to provide for regulatory administration; a 2.5% set aside to address problem gaming; and any remaining revenue towards the state’s public pension liabilities.
Clarifying that skill game machines are illegal– HB 594 explicitly bans skill machines, commonly referred to as gray machines.
Levelling the playing field for small farm wineries– SB 28 allows small farm wineries to sell and deliver up to 12,000 gallons of wine produced by it annually to any retail license holder.
Legalizing medicinal marijuana– SB 47 establishes a medicinal cannabis program and defines six different medical conditions that qualify for medicinal cannabis use. The legislation also grants the Cabinet for Health and Family Services with the authority to implement and administer the program.
Expanding access to licensed cosmetology services– SB 57 adopts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact to increase consumer access to safe cosmetology services and reduces unnecessary licensure burdens.
Ensuring uninterrupted access to audiology and hearing aid dispensary services– SB 58 aligns Kentucky with regulations implemented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, allowing audiologists and hearing aid dispensers licensed to recommend, select, fit, and dispense hearing aids to continue doing so under the FDA’s new classification system.
Nullifying poorly conceived administrative regulations– SB 65 nullifies three administrative regulations promulgated by the executive branch and improperly addressing expanded Medicaid Services, board authorized protocols, and employer-employee relationships.
Providing prescriptive authority for advanced practice registered nurses– SB 94 establishes requirements related to the Collaborative Agreement for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse’s Prescriptive Authority for Nonscheduled Legend Drugs and Controlled Substances.
=====================================================================
I am working with others on 3 large legislative packages for 2024:
1) Emerging Technology Privacy Bill - covering: privacy from drones, malicious "deepfake" videos, human micro-chipping restrictions, and data usage restrictions from license plate cameras. Any other ideas on what we should look at?
2) Election process - my bills HB214 (audits) and HB230 (voter roll cleanup) did not make it over the finish line in 2023, so they will be worked on in committee this summer, adjusted, and re-launched for 2024 session. KY has greatly improved in election integrity since 2020, with law changes, ranked now #12, and I hope to get us up into the top 10% of the nation.
3) Public Safety - school safety, gang violence, sentencing and parole, jails, rehabilitation, policing, bail groups, witness protection, prosecutor accountability. This is a complex and controversial subject, and now is the time to provide ideas and input. My detailed policy paper on the subject is here: https://conta.cc/43z3Dlo
Statewide Street Camping Ban - this is related to the Crime bill, as out of control street camping tends to be a breeding ground for crime. While we do not see much street camping in District 36 yet, constituents who own businesses in other areas that have been harmed by "campers" leaving drug paraphernalia in rest rooms, human waste and trash in the parking lots, and other issues.
Private citizens and business owners have to be protected from loss of access, along with the filth and crime that comes from unregulated street camping.
There is nothing compassionate about allowing the mentally ill or substance addicted to live in the streets, on path to eventual death or incarceration; they need to be encouraged to take advantage of rehab beds, temporary shelters, non-profit programs, and other offerings to address their issues. Metro Louisville is investing millions in temporary shelter options.
Let me know if you have any photos, experiences or observations to share on this subject.
|
|
|
|
Political Happenings in Dist 36 |
|
Daniel Cameron spoke in Jtown to a packed house - I was happy to host the event in District 36, along with sponsorship from other State and Metro elected officials Adams, Bratcher, Fleming, Nemes, Benson, Engel, Piagentini, and Kramer. The crowd was very receptive to his message about public safety, parents rights, and protecting our school children.
Fancy Farm Picnic - August 5th in Fancy Farm KY, featuring hot (and I do mean hot) comments from most state-wide candidates, along with mutton BBQ. Watch live on KET, or drive out to support your candidate. This is the traditional kickoff of fall campaign season.
Lincoln Day Dinner @ the State Fairgrounds August 23: Featured speakers are Daniel Cameron, Rand Paul, and swimmer Riley Gaines. There is a presidential debate "watch party" afterward. I plan to attend. Tickets are available at this link.
|
|
School Group Touring the Capitol? See my intro video here.
Archived Recent Newsletters:
July 2023 - Energy & Environment bills, I64/Gene Snyder project, November election lineup
June 2023 - Primary election, crime legislation update, Billtown Road project
May 2023 - 2023 Education bills, Taylorsville road project, 2024 priorities
March 2023 - legislative session, N English Station road project, Taiwan ambassador
February 2023 - Part 2 of Session, Eastwood cutoff project, election law
January 2023 - How to track the Session and bills, new legislation, Eastwood Cutoff project
December 2022 - Election recap, legislative preview, how a bill becomes law
September '22 – Eastwood Cutoff project, Constitutional Privacy protection
August '22 – KY 155 / Pope Lick project, Limitations on Government Power
July '22 – First newsletter – our God-given Rights
|
|
Thanks for reading and being involved!
John Hodgson
State Representative District 36
|
|
|
|
Address: PO Box 74
Fisherville, KY 40023
Phone: (502) 276-5213
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
