Week 4 of the 2024 Legislative Session
The 2024 Legislative Session in Frankfort is nearing the one-third mark of the 60-day budget session, as Friday marked the 18th day. The committee process is picking up steam; with that, more bill proposals are proceeding through the legislative process.
Please check out the KYSenateRepublicans.com website to find press releases from the Senate Majority Caucus. Information on our members—your elected officials—can be found there, along with other valuable resources.
The Senate, led by our budget chair, Sen. Chris McDaniel, has begun poring through the two budget proposals submitted by the House, HB 1 and HB 6. While they are likely to change as they go through the legislative process, the current versions of the two-year state budget can be found at legislature.ky.gov. As your state senator, I commit to the disciplined use of your hard-earned tax dollars. A strong objective of the Kentucky General Assembly will be to limit new recurring expenses that put taxpayers on the hook each new budget session. We will be especially mindful of this in reviewing our revenue projections. I remain focused on providing support for our vital child care industry. Legislation and discussion on this front and measures related to the Department of Juvenile Justice and nuclear energy remain in progress.
The Senate Families and Children Committee met this week to hear from the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) to discuss workforce challenges. In the current state budget, all state employees were provided an 8 percent raise and social workers were given an additional $2,500 raise in the current year. The DCBS commissioner reported the investments have led to progress. In December 2022, there were 969 frontline case workers across the state. In December 2023, we have improved the numbers to 1,121, an increase of 156 frontline, caseload-carrying social workers. We also learned turnover rates have improved. The turnover rate for social work positions was at 40 percent in 2021, 30 percent in 2022, and has dropped to 17 percent in 2023.
These social workers are on the front lines trying to protect Kentucky’s most vulnerable children. I am grateful for their efforts and am optimistic about the improvements we are seeing. More work is needed and I look forward to continued efforts in this ongoing budget session to better serve Kentucky’s children.
Senate Bill (SB) 7 provides a means for students enrolled in non-certified Kentucky schools (homeschool) to have more access to the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES). The scholarships will include the base amount for grade point average (GPA) by using an equivalent GPA based on the student’s American College Test (ACT) score. Eligible non-certified school graduates can only access the “supplemental” KEES award as earned on a student’s ACT score. This bill changes their annual total KEES award up to $2,500 to align with other public, private, and parochial school students. Their award will be based on their equivalent GPA and the supplemental awards. For example, a 2.7 GPA would equal an 18 ACT score, and a 4.0 would be equivalent to a 28+ ACT score. We believe these students work just as hard academically and should be awarded accordingly. Plus, we’d like these students to pursue higher education here in Kentucky and enter our workforce, strengthening our state.
SB 25 respects the rights of Kentucky property owners by prohibiting local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance mandating a landlord participate in a housing program under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The bill also prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance relating to landlord and tenant laws that conflict with any state law. The measure would prevent these business owners from being forced to accept a voluntary program, making them take less than market value for their properties.
Kentucky Right to Life sponsored a pro-life rally this week in our capital. It was standing room only in the Capitol Rotunda as hundreds gathered to celebrate the thousands of lives saved since Roe v. Wade was overturned in July 2022. I’m a proud member of the pro-life caucus. Much of the discussion called on those who value life to support those mothers and babies under challenging situations. I believe we must, as a community, state and nation, support mothers and children in need. I am committed to this endeavor.
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 2024 Regular Session. It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Find the status of legislation by calling 866-840-2835, legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650, or leaving a message for lawmakers at 800-372-7181. You can watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and Legislature.ky.gov. If you have any questions or comments about these or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me Danny.Carroll@LRC.ky.gov.