District 36 Newsletter #2
August 2022
Greetings!

I love State Fair time (except for the weather)! Hopefully you can get out and enjoy some family fun.
In this newsletter #2 I will discuss District 36 issues, legislation, road plans, and political topics, and there are many "hot links" to additional information. Please forward to your neighbors who might have interest; you can subscribe or unsubscribe at any time.
Call me crazy, but I am a regular citizen who got elected after stating very clearly what I would advocate for and against in Frankfort, and I am going to steadily follow through with those promises regardless of pressures to do what is easy or popular at the moment. My core values are not going to change, and I expect you to hold me accountable to stay true to them.
I will do my best to answer 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
The 2022 KY Highway Plan is posted on the KYTC page. District 36 is getting over $281 million in road work in the plan, thanks to the efforts of retiring Rep Jerry Miller. Road projects are prioritized in a 6-year state plan, and funded in a 2-year state budget. Significant projects normally take 6-8 years for funding approval, conception, planning, design, and property acquisition until visible construction begins. 

KY 155 @ Pope Lick Interchange: there are 3 projects on KY155 from I-265 on into Spencer County. The photo is the artist concept of the hardest part - making the bridge 5 lanes at Pope Lick, with a signal, and keeping the Parklands pedestrian underpass. The road will be made at least 3 lanes all the way to KY 148, and eventually into Spencer County. Will be in work 2023-26, with property acquisition already begun.

Other large projects now funded and in planning/design:
  • Extension of Old Henry to Ash Ave
  • Widen US-60 and Realign Gilliland/Eastwood Cutoff Intersection
  • Six Lane U.S. 60 from Old Shelbyville to North English Station
  • Extend Plantside Dr. from Rehl to Taylorsville Rd.
  • Study Eastwood-Fisherville Connector to I-64
As status progresses on these projects, I will provide more detailed updates.
Please continue to advise me on the most critical un-addressed road issues in your area.The Legislature has a role in prioritizing State road projects based on critical needs, safety and congestion. I work with our Metro council on local road issues and joint projects.
Constitutional Minute
Limitations of Government Power
US Constitution (article 3, section 4): “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government” (1787)

A “Republican form of government” is where the power is vested in the people, and they elect representatives to run the government. This would exclude monarchy, dictatorships, communism, fascism, or any form of government where the people cannot elect or “un-elect” their leaders. The KY Constitution is even more explicit in denying anyone (including the Governor in an “emergency”) absolute power over the people:

KY Constitution (Section 2): Absolute and arbitrary power denied.
Absolute and arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority.” (1891)
Legislative Update
FORMATION OF NEW CITIES?
House Bill 314, passed in 2022, allows formation of new cities in Jefferson County - After July 15, 2024, any unincorporated area outside the "Urban Services District" with 6000+ residents, 66% of whom sign a petition, can form their own city within Louisville Metro (like Jeffersontown and Middletown and many smaller cities), or can be annexed by an existing small city. 
Why?: There is some dissatisfaction with Metro road priorities, planning and zoning, and shortage of police protection. There has been discussion by residents of Lake Forest, Eastwood, and Fisherville to form such new cities, and gain more local control and services vs what we have now under Metro Louisville.
Advantages: More local control: the new cities would gain control over road funds, homeowner insurance taxes, and federal grants, and some control over planning and zoning. It could have its own police force, under local control. Additional services like snow plowing, garbage removal, etc. could be city-provided via taxation.
Challenges: It would NOT be cheaper, and Metro taxes would still be paid. It would require a new city government with a mayor or council. It would have limited taxation ability to fund operations, like a police force. The petition drive would require significant citizen effort and legal fees.
Political Happenings in Dist 36
JCPS School Board Races 2022
The 7 member JCPS School Board controls a budget of about $2 Billion, much larger than the entire Metro Louisville government. Four of these School Board members are up for election in 2022. The last couple of years have shown extreme dissatisfaction by parents, students, and taxpayers with the decisions of the current school board members and JCPS regarding school closures, masking, distance learning, pornographic books in the libraries, curriculum that is about social re-engineering rather than math and reading, poor academic performance, and excessive tax increases. The input and questions of parents have been ignored and dismissed, raising the question of who controls what is taught to our children? A group of citizens seeking change has formed a group called “Parent Choice, Parent Voice” , promoting candidates that take a conservative, pro-family, pro-student stance, and resist excessive control tactics by JCPS. Check out the Jefferson County tab on their website.
Interview on Jefferson County Public Schools (Oct 2021)
The "Book Talk with Corbin Seavers" Podcast Interview video regarding JCPS school board governance, school tax increases, and educational outcome statistics. [Since this interview there has been a Charter School bill passed that includes one in Louisville.]
Thanks for reading and being involved!
John Hodgson
Representative-Elect District 36
Address: PO Box 74
Fisherville, KY 40023
Phone: (502) 276-5213