Darryl Owens KY State Representative 43rd District Louisville

We are in the 2010 legislative session of the Kentucky General Assembly, and I want to share some information with you on this website.

Your input and ideas have helped shape my opinions and I wanted you to read about the work we accomplished in the 2009 session, what we’re looking at in 2010, legislation I have pre-filed and what our options are as we try to help Kentucky’s budget crisis.

Please visit here often to keep in touch with what is happening in the 43rd District throughout the year. It is an honor and a privilege serving as your state representative and I look forward to working on your behalf in the coming legislative session.

Peter C. Doerhoefer House
Rep. Owens
I recently attended a meeting with Louisville Metro Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton in support of a petition for the Peter C. Doerhoefer House at 4422 West Broadway. It is a very worthy project and I was quite impressed.

I was honored to have Greg Heitzman, President and CEO of the Louisville Water Company, on the House floor Thursday, March 4. The House declared March 6 Louisville Water Company Day in Kentucky to recognize 150 years of quality service and its national prominence. Read the Resolution (pdf)
Darryl Owens

Rep. Darryl Owens joins coalition in call to cap payday loan interest

Rep. Darryl Owens joined with members of the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Lending in calling for a cap on payday loan interest at a press conference February 8. On Thursday of the week before, Rep. Owens filed House Bill 381 which would limit the interest on payday loans to 36% in Kentucky. Currently payday lenders can charge $15 per $100 on a payday loan with a 14 day repayment term. When calculated on an annual basis this interest adds up to between 391 and 459%.

2010 Special Session – Legislative Update - May 27
I introduced a few House Resolutions during this Special Session. HR 11 urges Gov. Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson to facilitate the completion of a financial plan for the Louisville and Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project by the Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority. Rep. Owens HR 14 recognizes the sale of E.On U.S. to PPL Corporation and welcomes PPL to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. And finally, HR 12 adjourned the House of Representatives in loving memory of Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, a prominent lawyer, ordained Baptist minister, and champion of civil rights who passed away April 15, 2010.

Rep. Owens There were some lighter moments this week as you can see from the pictures posted. The first is of Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, from Okolona and me on the House floor. The other picture was taken at the Speaker’s podium with Rep. Kent Stevens, House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins and House Speaker Greg Stumbo.

Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Lending Rally
Tuesday, February 23rd, Rep. Darryl Owens participated in a rally with the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Lending which released a report about the impact of payday lending on Kentucky Counties. In Jefferson County alone there are 132 of these institutions that in 2008 loaned more than $168 million to 713,877 people who paid almost $30,000 in interest rates. Rep. Owens’ House Bill 381 would help Kentuckians by capping the interest rate – that soars to 400% annually for people who take out multiple loans – at 36%.

Rep. Owens is with Jefferson County legislators listening to a proposal about the US Marine Hospital collaboration in Portland. University of Louisville Provost Shirley Willinghanz, JCTCS President Tony Newberry, Family Health Center Director Bill Wagner and Marine Hospital Director John Cooper are working together to restore the old Marine Hospital and provide educational, health and job training services to Portland and Louisville West End residents.