LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Submitted By Robin Webb

FRANKFORT¾ The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot in Kentucky has passed. However, Kentuckians now have the option to vote early in-person. Now through November 2, you can cast your General Election ballot at your local county clerk’s office or a designated location within your county. To find out where you can vote early, visit IWillVote.com. 

At these early voting polling locations, you may also drop off your absentee ballot at a secure lockbox if you are concerned about mailing it. To vote early, you will need to bring a government-issued identification card.This year, due to COVID-19 and the backlogs it has created, an expired driver’s license will be accepted as a proper form of identification. Contact your local county clerk’s office to check hours of availability and to see if you need to schedule an appointment. If you plan to go, be sure to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask!

Numerous task forces, boards, and committees met this week ahead of next week’s Interim Joint Committee meetings. 

In the Substance Use Recovery Task Force, lawmakers heard testimony on treatment programs and their needs. As the opioid epidemic worsened over the years, the Kentucky General Assembly has allocated funding and passed several bills to combat the crisis and hold dealers accountable.

Mike Cox, president of Isaiah House, shared research with lawmakers that shows money invested in addiction treatment reduces drug-related crime, judicial costs, and medical costs. He also said many health insurance companies only pay for short-term treatment, and many people cannot afford to pay for the long-term treatment, assistance, or care on their own. The biggest issue facing Kentuckians is access to the beds available in treatment centers for patients who are hindered by not being able to afford quality care, he said. 

In a further effort to combat drug abuse, Governor Andy Beshear announced $2.8 million for 14 Recovery Kentucky centers across the commonwealth. The funds are directed to help ensure safe, stable housing for those recovering from substance use disorder. Through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (CDBG-CV), each center is eligible for up to $200,000. These funds are to help offset costs incurred due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. These funds also help ensure centers can continue services while protecting residents and staff from COVID-19.  Genesis recovery in Grayson will benefit from the allocation.

Substance abuse and the opioid epidemic are recurring issues in the commonwealth. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the problem. Many of us are affected on a personal level by substance abuse, whether it be friends or family members. I am hopeful that through federal funds, the resurgence of Kynect, and accessibility, we can truly make a difference when it comes to this problem. I appreciate Gov. Beshear for prioritizing this issue many Kentuckians face.

In the Public Water and Wastewater System Infrastructure Task Force members discussed legislative recommendations from the Kentucky Rural Water Association (KRWA). KRWA suggested the task force continue its work with stakeholders, develop a loan fund, and enhance support for the water resource information system. Officials of KRWA believe by doing so we can get better data, more skilled workers, and see utility savings across the state. As a member of this task force, and being a rural legislator, I will continue to make public water and wastewater a priority, especially for eastern Kentucky.

Also discussed in the Government Contract Review Committee meeting was around-the-clock security for Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Following the Grand Jury’s decision on the Breonna Taylor case, Cameron has been subject to “serious” and “credible threats.” The $300,000 contract that was approved allows for a 24-hour security detail for the Attorney General through the end of the year. 

You may remember, earlier this year, a radical group hung an effigy of Gov. Beshear with a noose around the neck steps away from the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion. These sorts of hateful acts are unnecessary and misguided. Criticism of elected officials is always OK. However, death threats are NOT. We must all come together and do better.

As we near the end of Domestic Violence Month, I again reiterate the complex phenomenon knows no gender, social or economic boundaries.  Abuse has adverse impacts that can be temporary, lifelong, generational, and sometimes fatal.  If you are in an emotional, mental or physical relationship that is abusive, or you need more information, educate yourself.  We are fortunate to have facilities and helplines available, here is one, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). There are more online resources for counseling and information, and during these times of isolation, they are much needed and appreciated. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

The upcoming week will certainly be busy with numerous Interim Joint Committee meetings on the agenda. You can access these meetings live, or watch archived committee footage via the Legislative Research Commission’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnoJBrwFmd7JK0HA9KcPaw or by searching “Legislative Research Commission” on YouTube. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I remain accessible by email at Robin.Webb@LRC.KY.GOV.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: By Senator Robin L. Webb 10-10-2020

FRANKFORT — October is both Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By addressing and reporting these issues, providing support, and being an advocate for victims, we can all do our part to ensure Kentucky is a safer and healthier place.

Domestic violence is a complex phenomenon that knows no gender, social or economic boundaries.  Abuse has adverse impacts that can be temporary, lifelong, generational, and sometimes fatal.  If you are in an emotional, mental or physical relationship that is abusive, or you need more information, educate yourself.  We are fortunate to have facilities and helplines available, here is one, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). There are more online resources for counseling and information, and during these times of isolation, they are much needed and appreciated. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Kentucky and are worthy of recognition.

Breast cancer is also gender neutral and great strides have been made in testing, diagnosis and treatment.  We are blessed with facilities and state of art technology and world class health care providers in our region.  For more information and to find the nearest mammogram location, visit: www.KentuckyOneHealth.org/Mammogram. ) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

The only committee to meet this week was the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations. Several topics were covered, including a measure that would lower the age of servers who can serve alcohol in a restaurant from 20 years old to 18. Some members raised concerns of stakeholder input, especially in regard to organizations in urban-core areas. The chairman said he is currently in the works with the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to get answers to the questions and concerns raised by these organizations ahead of the 2021 Regular Session. 

Governor Beshear announced this week he is reviving the kynect state-based health exchange program to provide easier access to coverage, resources, and other benefits. Officials stated the relaunch of kynect, which was a national model following its implementation in 2013, will offer expanded benefits, enhanced usability, and a mobile-friendly format to navigate the online portal. The exchange will open for enrollment in 2021 and commence in January 2022. The move will save Kentuckians approximately $15 million a year and provide more affordable health care across the commonwealth. For more information on kynect, visit www.kynect.ky.gov.

Although kynect will improve health options for many, we still face an ongoing public health crisis affecting thousands of Kentuckians. Over the weekend, Kentucky surpassed the former single-day record of COVID-19 cases, with nearly 1,300 positive cases reported — the most since the onset of the outbreak. We are now at a total number of over 74,000 cases reported in Kentucky.

At a time when the President of the United States has contracted the virus, it is imperative to understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and that everyone is susceptible. We must do our part, wear a mask, maintain social distance, and work together to defeat this invisible enemy. I extend my thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery to the President, First Lady, and everyone impacted by this terrible virus.

Mask Up Kentucky!

I suspect the upcoming week to be a busy one with numerous Interim Joint Committee meetings set to take place virtually and in Frankfort. You can access these meetings live, or watch archived committee footage via the Legislative Research Commission’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnoJBrwFmd7JK0HA9KcPaw or by searching “Legislative Research Commission” on YouTube. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I remain accessible by email at Robin.Webb@LRC.KY.GOV.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: By Senator Robin L. Webb - 10/2/2020

FRANKFORT — October Interim Joint Committee meetings will surely ramp up with substantial policy issues as we near the beginning of the 2021 Regular Session. Due to the outbreak of a global pandemic in the latter part of the 2020 Session, the Kentucky General Assembly agreed to revisit the two-year state budget during the 2021 session. Legislators will continue to address the unforeseen economic consequences of COVID-19 during committee meetings. This, on top of a hefty amount of other policy issues, certainly makes for a busy session looking ahead.

Governor Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that Kentucky eclipsed 1,000 COVID-19 cases on two consecutive days this week. It is the first time this has happened since March 6, around the beginning of the pandemic in Kentucky. It is imperative for us to take the proper precautions to protect our family members and neighbors. For the sake of others and our economy, we must do our part by wearing a mask and following social distancing guidelines. We will get through this — but only if we continue to work together and defeat the invisible enemy.

Governor Beshear also stated a $7 million grant to support behavioral health services in the Appalachian region has been awarded. The Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, a Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) agency, received the grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in response to natural disasters, including severe flooding and mudslides, which affected the area in 2019. Services supported by the grant will help individuals in 21 eastern Kentucky counties impacted by the natural disasters.

Next Friday, October 9, is the deadline to request your mail-in absentee ballot. Individuals who are concerned with contracting or spreading the coronavirus may request an absentee ballot at GoVoteKY.com. Absentee ballots are required to be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, and received by November 6. Beginning Tuesday, October 13 early in-person voting will be available at local County Clerks’ offices for three weeks before the election. Be sure to call your County Clerk’s office before your visit, and check if you need to make an appointment. This year, anyone will be able to vote early at the County Clerks’ offices, for any reason.

As we progress toward Election Day and through the Interim Session, I will do my best to keep you informed and in the know. Stay engaged, remain vigilant, and remember to mask up, Kentucky! We are all in this together. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I remain accessible by email at Robin.Webb@LRC.KY.GOV.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: By Senator Robin L. Webb 9-19-2020

FRANKFORT — Governor Andy Beshear stated he would not be giving a recommendation on the reopening of schools beyond September 28. In August, Gov. Beshear urged schools to remain virtual until there were decreases in the infection rate. With the announcement, the administration will allow local districts and school boards to make decisions on the instruction of students. However, officials said they will closely monitor trends of local districts and will make determinations if cases increase.

Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack, Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, and education leaders offered further insight on the state of education in the commonwealth amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. Under a new order, all parents and guardians must notify the child’s school within 24 hours if their child tests positive for COVID-19. There will be an online portal created so that all schools can report data via a secure website. According to Dr. Stack, the information will be used by officials to make a week-by-week decisions in our various school districts and counties based on prevalence and what public health experts indicate is the right course. The dashboard link will be posted online closer to Sept. 28 on the kycovid19.ky.gov website.

Members of the legislature gathered recently in Frankfort for a host of Interim Joint Committee meetings.

During the Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting, officials of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) explained their COVID-19 transportation guidelines for schools that will soon begin in-person instruction. Robin Kinney, the associate commissioner for KDE, said that considering factors, such as school district size and finances, social distancing with one child per seat every other seat is ideal. For districts where it may be a challenge, other mitigating strategies can be used if bus capacity cannot be kept low. Those mitigation strategies include requiring students to wear masks, have their temperatures checked before boarding the bus, and use hand sanitizer. Assigned seating was also recommended in the event a child on a bus tests positive for COVID-19 and contact tracing is needed.

During the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue meeting, members heard from Secretary of State Michael Adams regarding expenses ahead of the 2020 General Election. Sec. Adams said his office anticipates a turnout of around 73 percent in the general election- over more than double the turnout in the primary. According to Sec. Adams, typical election year in-person voting consists of about 98 percent of ballots, with approximately two percent voting absentee. During the primary, nearly 75 percent of the ballots cast were absentee, but he testified in committee that his office cannot process that many at this time during a general election.

However, if you are worried about COVID-19, you may still request an absentee ballot online at GoVoteKY.com until the October 9 deadline. More information regarding polling locations for in-person voting will be provided at a future date. So it’s best to make a plan now. Be a voter!

As we progress toward Election Day on November 3 and through the Interim Session, I will do my best to keep you informed on the happenings in Frankfort. Stay engaged, remain vigilant, and remember to mask up, Kentucky! We are all in this together. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I remain accessible by email at Robin.Webb@LRC.KY.GOV.

SENATE WEEK IN REVIEW By Senator Robin L. Webb

FRANKFORT — The 2019 Extraordinary Session delivered another blow to the already struggling pension system and legislative independence.

SENATE WEEK IN REVIEW By Senator Robin L. Webb

FRANKFORT — The 2019 Extraordinary Session delivered another blow to the already struggling pension system and legislative independence.