Friends,
With the 2019 Regular Session now behind us, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve you in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Your feedback over the past several months has been invaluable to me, and the dialogue we have had with one another – both in person and by phone and email – is the foundation of our legislative process.
I am proud of the work we have done this year, and I am honored that you allowed me to play a role in seeking to better our Commonwealth. Some of the key legislative accomplishments I was proud to support this year include:
While this year was not a budget session, there were several financial issues that will directly affect our district. The General Assembly approved $50 million in bonds to kick-start a new round of needed repairs at our state parks, and we added $25 million more to boost economic-development efforts. The 96th District is home to three beautiful state parks that are very much deserving of additional funding.
Other new laws that were passed include provisions that will make the workplace more accommodating for new mothers; extend tobacco-free policies so they cover all public schools; and allow high school students to have more flexibility with their KEES money, the lottery-funded scholarships they earn with good grades to pay for their postsecondary education.
Under this new law, that money can be used for qualified workforce-development programs, as long as the programs are in the top-five high-demand work sectors. While every child should have the opportunity to attend college and further their education, we should also reward our students who choose to pursue a career in welding, electricity, coal mining, or other industries. These careers are essential to our region and we must recognize and respect their value.
I hope this snapshot of the legislative session gives you more insight into what happened and what didn’t. Throughout the summer, House and Senate committees will be meeting jointly to review issues affecting the state and to prepare for the 2020 Regular Session.
I hope you will continue letting me know your views during this time. You can always email me at Kathy.Hinkle@lrc.ky.gov or give me a call at 502-564-8100. I hope to hear from you again soon.
Sincerely yours,
Kathy Hinkle
State Representative
Kentucky’s 96th District
Your feedback over the past several months has been invaluable to me, and the dialogue we have had with one another – both in person and by phone and email – is the foundation of our legislative process.
I am proud of the work we have done this year, and I am honored that you allowed me to play a role in seeking to better our Commonwealth. Some of the key legislative accomplishments I was proud to support this year include:
- Senate Bill 9: With limited exceptions, this bill fully bans abortion in Kentucky once a heartbeat can be detected.
- House Bill 148: This bill, also known as the Human Life Protection Act, would immediately outlaw abortion in Kentucky if Roe v. Wade is overturned in the United States Supreme Court.
- House Bill 1: This legislation lays the foundation to boost the number of guidance counselors and school-resource officers and to make sure that the best safety practices are maintained across Kentucky’s schools.
- Senate Bill 55: This new law allows greater protections for our veterans who may be at risk and/or become lost or missing.
- House Bill 17: Though not yet successful, I was proud to co-sponsor legislation which clearly reaffirmed Kentucky’s commitment to public education and removed references to charter schools
Other new laws that were passed include provisions that will make the workplace more accommodating for new mothers; extend tobacco-free policies so they cover all public schools; and allow high school students to have more flexibility with their KEES money, the lottery-funded scholarships they earn with good grades to pay for their postsecondary education.
Under this new law, that money can be used for qualified workforce-development programs, as long as the programs are in the top-five high-demand work sectors. While every child should have the opportunity to attend college and further their education, we should also reward our students who choose to pursue a career in welding, electricity, coal mining, or other industries. These careers are essential to our region and we must recognize and respect their value.
I hope this snapshot of the legislative session gives you more insight into what happened and what didn’t. Throughout the summer, House and Senate committees will be meeting jointly to review issues affecting the state and to prepare for the 2020 Regular Session.
I hope you will continue letting me know your views during this time. You can always email me at Kathy.Hinkle@lrc.ky.gov or give me a call at 502-564-8100. I hope to hear from you again soon.
Sincerely yours,
Kathy Hinkle
State Representative
Kentucky’s 96th District
---Carter County Post has no political affiliation and works to share all views.