Throughout the 2009 session, your Jefferson County delegation worked together to see that Louisville’s priorities were included in the budget.

The state road plan included close to a half a billion dollars of projects for Jefferson County, including $231 million of GARVEE bonds. The Jefferson County funding also includes $36 million of federal stimulus dollars and $35 million of state bonds.

The construction you drive through every day – and I know it’s trying at times – includes $34 million in resurfacing projects along I-264 and I-265.

We also procured funding to widen I-64 from the Gene Snyder toward Shelbyville and for the Crittendon Drive extension at the Louisville Airport for the UPS Worldport expansion.

During the 2009 Special Session, legislation was enacted to create a funding mechanism for mega-transportation projects such as the bridges in Louisville.

The legislation allows a Kentucky-Indiana bi-state funding authority to be created to pursue funding for the Louisville Bridges project.

Investing in Louisville Metro

We also focused on several economic development projects in our community.

The Waterfront Development Corporation will receive $8.4 million.

Also over the next two years –

· The Kentucky Center for the Arts will receive $8.9 million for a major maintenance renovation.

· The Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center will see $2 million to upgrade their HVAC systems.

· The Music Theater of Louisville will have $9,000 for an outdoor drama grant.

Ten million in bond funds will go to construct the Hazelwood Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded/Developmentally Disabled to relocate patients from Central State.

We were able to come together and prioritize Louisville’s needs and work to bring this funding and these projects to our community.

Education - University of Louisville, JCTC big winners

Education is one of my and the Jefferson County Delegation’s legislative priorities. I believe that future economic development depends on a smart workforce and a strong educational system.

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Results of Constituent Survey
Do you believe that allowing video lottery terminals at existing racetracks – which would reportedly raise the state more than $300 million – is a good idea to help shore up Kentucky’s budget?

Do you believe that citizens should have the right to vote on casino gaming legislation which some say requires a change in Kentucky’s Constitution?

Do you believe the state should continue cutting services, education, and agency budgets to address its financial problems?

Are you in favor of removing dueling language from the state oath of office?

Do you believe in any restriction on the use of cellular phones and texting while operating a motor vehicle?

With predictions of heavy snow for parts of Kentucky, we ended the week in a flurry of activity on the House floor so members could safely reach their homes before the roads became impassable.

Committees were especially busy this week hearing bills that will improve the lives of many Kentuckians, especially our children. House Bill 43 is a measure that would make Kentucky roads safer by prohibiting the common practice – especially amongst teenagers – of texting while driving. House Bill 43 would ban all drivers from text messaging while driving and forbid any cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18.

If a new driver is caught texting – or talking on a cell phone if under 18 – during their 180-day probationary period, that probation clock would start over again, according to the bill. Drivers who violate the bill would be fined between $20 and $100 starting in 2011. Violators would not be charged court fees. The bill passed the House Transportation Committee by a vote of 18-7 and now heads to the House floor for consideration.

The House Judiciary Committee approved a measure that would reverse the effect of a law the General Assembly passed last year that forces some defendants convicted of theft to relinquish their drivers’ licenses until they pay restitution. The argument for the reversal is that defendants need their licenses in order to drive to work to earn money for the court-ordered restitution. Deemed an “unintended consequence”, House Bill 35 would change the language in the bill to restore discretion to judges in these cases. The legislation passed the committee by a vote of 12-1 and will now be considered by the Senate.

Energy legislation also made headway when the House voted 98-0 to repeal and reenact a 2008 energy law that puts in place about $80 million in bonds for energy efficiency projects in Kentucky. House Bill 240 would authorize approximately $50 million in bonds for energy efficiency upgrades of government buildings and approximately $30 million in low-interest loan bonds for energy efficiency upgrades at businesses. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The House voted this week to create a General Assembly Green Schools Caucus that will champion healthy, environmentally-friendly schools across Kentucky. House Resolution 24, which passed by a vote of 97-0, establishes the Green Schools Caucus which will encourage construction of greener schools with energy-efficient, water--efficient and environmentally-sustainable schools designed to improve learning and save money. Some green schools in Kentucky are seeing more than $4 million in savings.

You can stay informed of legislative action on bills of interest to you this session by logging onto the Legislative Research Commission website at www.lrc.ky.gov or by calling the LRC toll-free Bill Status Line at 866-840-2835. To find out when a committee meeting is scheduled, you can call the LRC toll-free Meeting Information Line at 800-633-9650. I look forward to serving you in Frankfort in the busy session weeks ahead.