A bill that would move the governor’s race to even-numbered years passed out of the state Senate Tuesday by a 28-9 vote.
State Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, who introduced the legislation, known as Senate Bill 10, said it would increase voter turnout by aligning state elections with federal elections. He said voter turnout in Kentucky is usually 20 percent higher in even-numbered years when there are federal elections.
“This measure carries with it many benefits but chief among them is what it does and what it means to our democracy,” McDaniel said. “The death of our democracy is not likely be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and undernourishment.”
McDaniel said SB 10 would also save Kentucky $3.5 million and its 120 counties more than $14 million every four years by consolidating the dates elections are held. That translate to $603,000 in saving for Kenton County, $173,000 in saving for Pike County, $45,000 saving for Clay County and $1.3 million in saving for Jefferson County.
State Sen. Robin L. Webb, D-Grayson, explained her vote against SB 10. She said saving money on elections doesn’t strengthen democracy or increase citizen involvement. “I think anything that suppresses voters, or suppresses elections, or the disengagement of the populous isn’t good for democracy,” Webb said. “Therefore, I vote no.”
If SB 10 passes the state House of Representatives, it would still require a vote of the people since it’s in the form of a constitutional amendment.
The state Senate also passed an abortion-related measure by a 32-5 vote.
Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), introduced by state Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, would require a face-to-face meeting between the pregnant woman and a healthcare provider at least 24 hours before an abortion takes place. It is currently often done via a recorded telephone message, she said.
“What this bill does not do is restrict a woman’s rights,” Adams said. “How could anyone consider the receiving of medical information as restrictive?”
State Sen. Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, said he voted against SB 4 because it is unnecessary and women already understand what the procedure entails.
SB 4 now goes to the state House of Representative for consideration.
Bills that would disclose the value of state legislators’ public pensions passed the Senate by a 38-0 vote.
State Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation was designed to strengthen the public’s faith in the democratic process.
Known as Senate Bill 45, it would allow pension managers to disclose the name and benefit amount for any current or former lawmaker by making those figures subject to the state’s open records laws.
“This requirement will introduce a greater level of accountability to those of us who have to cast ballots on some of the most difficult, contentious and painful issues confronting us today,” McDaniel said.
He said one of the greatest challenges of the session will be to find more money for the public pension systems. The systems carries more than $30 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. State economists say the main pension plans for government workers and public school teacher are in the most trouble.
SB 45 now goes to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
Research of snuff and other smokeless tobacco products would get some assistance under a bill now on its way to the state Senate.
House Bill 83, sponsored by House Agriculture and Small Business Chair Rep. Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana, would expand the state’s definition of reference tobacco— or tobacco products made specifically for research and not for public use—to include smokeless tobacco products like snuff and a moist snuff called snus labeled specifically for research and experimental purposes.
Current state law limits the definition of reference tobacco to cigarettes.
Reference tobacco product work in Kentucky currently takes place exclusively at the University of Kentucky which is in the process of applying for a $7 million federal grant for reference tobacco research. The recipient of that grant is expected to be announced by the Federal Drug Administration next month.
A floor amendment to HB 83 sponsored by Rep. Lynn Bechler, R-Marion, would allow any accredited college or university in the state to engage in reference tobacco research. It would also exempt reference tobacco products from tobacco excise taxes. The amendment was approved by a vote of 92-1.
HB 83 as amended passed the House by a vote of 94-0. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
From LRC Public Information
Both of Sen. McDaniel’s bills make sense and hopefully receive a good chance in the house. But, doesn’t high voter turnout generally benefit the Democrats. That’s fine with me. Sen. Adam’s abortion bill should die a long slow death in a House Committee.