Beech Tree News Network

Hollywood stars, national organizations and winter weather greeted the Kentucky General Assembly during week six of the 2016 Session. With many guests, packed committee meetings, and energetic rallies, it was another exciting week in Frankfort.
The national organization Save The Children, which promotes early childhood learning, had its Action Network President Mark Shriver and actress Jennifer Garner testify in Frankfort on behalf of the organization and their work throughout Kentucky. We were pleased to welcome Mr. Shriver and Ms. Garner to Frankfort, and we thank them for all the work they do for children across the state.

We also welcomed the Kentucky Right to Life Association to the Capitol and joined them for a Rally for Life in the Capitol Rotunda. Governor Bevin held a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill (SB) 4, the first piece of pro-life legislation the Kentucky General Assembly has considered in over 12 years. Another pro-life bill, SB 152, passed out of committee this week and would require women to receive an ultrasound before having an abortion. I was a proud cosponsor of both of these bills. The Senate is still working to pass more pro-life legislation, and we hope to see those bills signed into law by the end of session in April.

Senate Bill 20, one of our priority pieces of legislation, passed the Senate this week. SB20, creating an appeals process for Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s), will allow health care providers to appeal a decision relating to the Department of Medicaid. This bill is another step in much-needed health care reform that could ultimately lower costs for consumers.

I also cosponsored several other pieces of legislation that passed the Senate this week, including SB 64, SB 78, SB 128, and SB 53. SB 64 would clarify property valuation administrator fees and SB 78 promotes colon cancer awareness, and SB 128 would help our women veterans. SB 53 would offer civil immunity for a person who enters a locked vehicle believing a cat or dog is in immediate danger of death if not removed from the vehicle.
I am also pleased that SB 5, one of our priority bills, passed out of committee this week. SB 5 would remove the names of county clerks from marriage licenses, a bill crafted after county clerk Kim Davis was faced with criminal charges for standing up for her religious beliefs.
Another priority bill we passed out of committee was SB 1. This bill is bipartisan education reform that would overhaul Common Core standards, allowing Kentucky teachers to teach by removing crippling standards and review programs that only hinder student growth. We had many teachers call and write in support of this bill, and we are proud to move forward with legislation making it easier for our educators to do their job well.
If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at [email protected].  You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov.
 

 Senator C.B. Embry, JR (R-Morgantown) represents the 6th District including Butler, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Ohio Counties. He is Vice Chair of Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection, Chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education, and member of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy, and Transportation Committees.