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SENATE WEEK IN REVIEW
Submitted by: Senator Denise Harper Angel
Actions taken earlier in the 2010 session have put us in the running for millions of dollars for education. On Thursday, it was announced that Kentucky made the first cut for the Race to the Top grant program, which offers $4 billion to help bolster teaching and student performance to selected states.
In order to get to this point, the General Assembly had to work quickly and in a bipartisan fashion. Just a few days into session, we approved House Bill 176, which focused on moving education forward, and it was immediately signed into law by Governor Beshear. Our swift actions allowed our State to meet a January 19 deadline to compete for the Race to the Top Funds.
We were pleased to be named as one of the 16 finalists. We anticipate half a dozen states will be selected to receive shares of the $4 billion that will be awarded in the first round of funding. We feel that Kentucky is poised to be among those finalists and could receive up to $245 million. These funds will be used for enhancing standards and assessments; improving the collection and use of data; increasing teacher effectiveness and achieving equity in teacher distribution, and turning around the low-performing schools.
The 16 finalists are to go to Washington the week of March 15 to make a presentation. The winners will be announced in April. The states that do not win in the first go around will be able to reapply during a second round, with those funds to be given out in September.
The Race to the Top program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
This week, we also tackled the growing epidemic of drug use. It seems every time we take steps to eliminate one drug, another takes its place. Such is the case with two new drugs: salvia and “synthetic marijuana.” Salvia divinorum is a plant that, much like hemp, can be dried and smoked to get high. The plant leaves can also be chewed or taken in other ways, but the effect is the same. More than a dozen states already ban the use, sale, or possession of salvia.
“Synthetic marijuana,” on the other hand, refers to a number of smoking materials coated or sprayed in chemicals to mimic the effects of marijuana. “K2” and “spice” are some of the street names. The scary issue about this drug is its growing use around our military bases — while you may not know anyone who uses it, it can have a definite impact on our national security.
SB 107 would help combat the use of these drugs while they are still in their infancy. The bill would punish possession, manufacture, cultivation, or trafficking in these drugs, by up to a year in jail, with lesser offenses garnering up to 90 days. The message is clear: we take these drugs seriously, and we want to eliminate them before they grow to become the epidemic that others have become.
This week, we passed legislation for some of our most valiant citizens. Senate Bill 71 of which I was the primary sponsor creates a special license plate for recipients of the Silver Star and Bronze Star medal for valor. These license plates will allow our State to further recognize our heroes for their service. The men and women serving in our military too often find their lives at risk, and the recipients of the Silver and Bronze Star medal for valor have exceeded the call of duty to perform actions worthy of recognition at the highest honor. These special plates will allow the recipients of these awards to be more easily identified by the general public.
Applicants will be required to show proof of being a Silver Star or Bronze Star medal for valor recipient before being able to purchase a special license plate.
The following is a list of legislation that I have filed as the primary sponsor:
· SB 10 - Relates to childhood hearing loss.
· SB 11 - Provides smoking cessation treatment for pregnant smokers.
· SB 12 - Upgrades the state's licensing law for psychologist.
· SB 23 - Bans texting while driving.
· SB 24 - Permits the sale of limited alcoholic beverages by the drink at designated state parks.
· SB 71 - Creates a special license plate for recipients of the Silver Star or the Bronze Star Medal of Valor. This bill has passed the State Senate. SB 71 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
· SB 86 - Requires chain restaurants with at least 20 locations nationwide to provide calorie information on menus and menu boards for all standard items.
· SB 109 – Includes dating partners among the class of persons allowed to obtain domestic violence protective orders.
· SB 154 – Relates to health benefit plan coverage for acquired brain injuries.
· SB 160 – Establishes recycling or reuse programs for televisions and electronic devices under the supervision of the Department for Environmental Protection.
· SR 9 - Urges the Governor to include funding for Medicaid-approved smoking cessation programs in his 2010-2012 Executive Budget proposal.
March 30 is the last legislative day before we break for the veto period. In the remaining time, we still must craft a budget, consider domestic violence legislation, and deal with a host of other issues. It is always important, especially with this time crunch, to call our Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 or visit our web site at www.lrc.ky.gov to keep up with what is happening at the Capitol and let me know where you stand on the issues before us. You can also email me personally at denise.harperangel@lrc.ky.gov.
Senator Harper Angel represents the 35th Senate District in Jefferson County.