Public Policy Matters - January 10, 2011

The Week in Review

Kentucky's 2011 legislative session starts big

In an historically unusual start to an off-year session, the Kentucky Senate passed 13 significant bills last week. The measures cover issues ranging from campaign finance to immigration law. The new legislation also includes two education-related bills we are watching for further development:

Senate Bill 3 -- Williams (R-16), Seum (R-38), Westwood (R-23):

Defines charter schools and prescribes the requirements and conditions under which a local board of education may authorize a charter school; describes the transfer of public funds to charter schools in a district; permits under certain conditions that a parent shall be permitted to enroll for attendance their children in the public school nearest their home; and permits a persistently low-achieving school to be converted to a charter school as one of the intervention options. Learn more about KY SB3 here.

Senate Bill 13 -- Winters (R-1):

Establishes performance awards to teachers based on student achievement on Advanced Placement tests or International Baccalaureate tests in advanced science and mathematics, beginning no later than the 2012-2013 academic year; requires that the Kentucky Department of Education distribute the awards; provides that if funds in the science and mathematics fund are insufficient for making the required awards that the expenditure to make awards shall be considered a necessary government expense; and authorizes use of the science and mathematics advancement fund for monetary awards to teachers. Learn more about KY SB13 here.

In the House, Rep. Darryl Owens (D-43) introduced a bill on Wednesday to curtail interest rates charged by payday lending companies. UWKY is watching House Bill 182, which would put a 36-percent cap on consumers' rate for payday loans. The bill is comparable to the 2006 U.S. legislation that caps interest rates for members of the military. Seventeen states currently have such a law.

Friday's episode of KET's "Comment on Kentucky" focused on the first week of the Assembly. The program can be viewed online and will re-air tonight on KET at 7:30 p.m. EST. The legislative session recessed on Friday, January 7 and will resume on Tuesday, February 1.

Have questions? Contact Terry Tolan or Kevin Middleton for more information on UWKY's public policy agenda.

Stay informed and get involved!

Information on the status of each bill lawmakers are considering is available on the Bill Status Line, (866) 840-2835. A taped message containing information on legislative committee meetings is updated daily at (800) 633-9650.

Use your voice! To leave a message for any legislator, call the General Assembly's toll-free Message Line at (800) 372-7181.

People with hearing difficulties may leave messages for lawmakers by calling the TTY Message Line at (800) 896-0305. ¿Habla usted español? (866) 840-6574

You can also write any legislator by sending a letter with the lawmaker's name to: Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

Support Kentucky's Kids - Join UWKY for Children's Advocacy Day 2011

Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol on February 17, 2011. Doctors, teachers, public health experts, elected officials, members of the military, seniors, and kids will all be coming together to tell legislators that it's time to invest in Kentucky's youth! Register for Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol today!

Where: The Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort, KY
When: Thursday, February 17, 2011
Check-in/Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. EDT on the second floor.
Rally begins at 10:00 a.m. EDT in the Rotunda.

Print and share the flyer! Questions? Contact Kevin Middleton for more information.

The UWKY Advocacy Brief is a service of United Way of Kentucky. For more information on UWKY's public policy platform, visit uwky.org/policy.html.