FRANKFORT — Despite plans to share broad ideas on how to craft a state budget with House Democrats by mid-week, House leaders still had no proposal to share when the week ended.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said Friday he hoped to have such broad outlines “sometime by the end of next week.” But he and Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, again indicated those plans aren’t likely to include new revenue from tax reform – or gambling.
Stumbo said historically the legislature moves no more than about 1 percent of the appropriations in a governor’s budget proposal but this time will be different. That’s because Gov. Steve Beshear’s budget proposal relied on $780 million in revenues from expanded gambling, something which the legislature hasn’t yet approved and which Stumbo and Williams say won’t pass this session.
Lawmakers effectively dismissed Beshear’s proposal and said they would craft a state budget “from scratch.” Revenue estimates indicate the state will fall around $1.4 billion short of current spending levels and without new revenue, legislators face a difficult task of passing the constitutionally required balanced budget.
Stumbo and Williams have several times indicated they are looking at ways to pare back the size of state government to “reduce the base” as Williams describes it.
House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, this week introduced a bill which would require the Personnel Cabinet to report the number of state employees on a quarterly basis, indicating which are political or non-merit appointees and how many are employed by personal services contracts. Hoover said it’s possible the General Assembly could pass the bill quickly enough that the administration would have to comply by March 1 – before the legislature gives final approval to a budget.
On Friday morning, Stumbo said he supports Hoover’s bill. Williams said he hasn’t seen it – but he has consistently spoken of the need to “reduce the base” and cost of government operations.
In non-budget matters, the Senate passed a bill requiring the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky League of Cities to provide more transparency to their operations. Both groups, quasi-governmental agencies made up of member counties and cities which pay dues and purchase insurance coverage and other benefits from the organizations, were criticized by state auditors for undocumented, sometimes questionable spending, and poor oversight of professional staff by state auditors.
KACo and KLC would have to adopt ethics and nepotism codes, be subject to state open records and meetings laws, and undergo annual audits and make their finances publicly available.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard from eight judges who expressed concerns about some provisions in Stumbo’s “Amanda’s Bill,” which seeks to protect victims of domestic abuse by requiring some accused abusers to wear electronic tracking devices. The judges expressed concerns about cost, effectiveness and administration, and whether the law would infringe on the constitutional rights of the accused. All, however, expressed support for the intent of the bill which has already passed the House.
The House also passed a bill to ban texting by drivers of any age and cell phone use by drivers under the age of 18. Violators would face fines of $20 for first offenses escalating to $100 for subsequent offenses.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
State News
Weekly legislative wrapup
Budget dominates session but some measures progress
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It’s back to the drawing board for legislators
Confusion reigns in the wake of a judge’s ruling that state redistricting maps passed by the General Assembly are unconstitutional. That ruling said until the legislature offers a plan that meets constitutional muster, 2012 candidates for the legislature must run in the districts drawn 10 years ago.
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Pending redistricting ruling overshadows legislative business
It has been hurry up and wait this week in Frankfort. With everyone waiting to learn if a Franklin Circuit Judge will throw out the legislature’s plan to re-draw legislative districts and a hold on the filing deadline for fall elections, lawmakers are watching the calendar and court docket more closely than that day’s orders.
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ELLIS UPDATE: Lawmakers closer on new district mapping
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UK, UL leaders: Cuts are hurting higher ed
The presidents of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville told a legislative panel that they will keep working to achieve the goals of higher education reform passed in 1997 in spite of on-going budget cuts. But they made it clear it won’t be easy.
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Stumbo files anti-pill mill bill
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Jill York files to run against Rocky Adkins
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Filing deadline extended for congressional races
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GOP files suit over new state districts
Three Republican lawmakers and two private citizens filed suit Thursday in Franklin Circuit Court to have the House legislative redistricting plan declared unconstitutional.
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Committee reviews pill mill bill
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