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News From Frankfort (Updated Every Thursday)
News From Indianapolis (Updated Every Thursday)
Local 227 monitors not only what goes on in our nation’s capitol, but also what goes on in Kentucky’s capitol. The swipe of a pen, in Frankfort or Washington, D.C., has very real and powerful affects on our everyday lives.
In Frankfort, Local 227 advocates for worker’s rights and the betterment of our communities. Our state needs both an updated economic development policy that attracts businesses of all sizes to our state and expanded gaming; not just to attract revenue, but also to create jobs for Kentuckians. It is important for Kentucky’s elected officials – Republican or Democrat – to hear from Local 227 members.
In 2009 the Kentucky General Assembly met for a short session. Legislators gathered in Frankfort for 30 working days prior to adjourning.
Some highlights of this year’s legislative session include:
- An end to CATS testing;
- A $3.7 billion road plan – funded primarily with federal stimulus dollars and a freeze of the gas tax; and
- An alternative intensive drug treatment program to decrease soaring inmate populations.
To address Kentucky’s budget shortfall and rescue Kentucky’s horse industry, Gov. Beshear called a special session of the General Assembly. The legislature passed incentives to bring a Breeders Cup and a NASCAR race to Kentucky, established local authorities to develop plans for transportation projects and provided tax relief to active duty military and Kentuckians who purchase new cars and homes. Legislation to rescue Kentucky’s horse industry and save nearly 100,000 union jobs by lifting a ban on slot machines at racetracks failed in the Senate.
Kentucky elected officials, and state and local government employees are working countless hours putting together innovative proposals to receive federal stimulus funds. A wide range of programs designed to stimulate economic development include assistance to expand broadband Internet access and energy efficiency updates for your home. Local 227 is monitoring when these programs become available to the general public and will work with Local 227 members who are interested in participating in a particular program.
Interested in following state government in Kentucky? Check back here every Thursday for the latest news.
Local 227 monitors not only what goes on in our nation’s capitol, but also what goes on in Indiana’s capitol. The swipe of a pen, in Indianapolis or Washington, D.C., has very real and powerful affects on our everyday lives.
In Indianapolis, Local 227 partners with Local 700 to advocate for workers’ rights and the betterment of our communities in the entire state. Our state needs updated highway systems and an economic plan creating good quality jobs for Indianans. It is important for Indiana’s elected officials – Republican or Democrat – to hear from Local 227 members.
The Indiana General Assembly adjourned its regular session at the end of April for the 2009 calendar year. Governor Mitch Daniels called for a special session to address shortfalls in the budget. Legislators passed a two-year budget resulting in a less than 2% funding increase for education, a Kentucky/Indiana joint agency to oversee the bridges project connecting the two states and cuts at most state agencies.
Indiana elected officials, and state and local government employees are working countless hours putting together innovative proposals to receive federal stimulus funds. A wide range of programs designed to stimulate economic development include assistance to expand broadband Internet access and energy efficiency updates for your home. Local 227 is monitoring when these programs become available to the general public and will work with Local 227 members who are interested in participating in a particular program.
Interested in following state government in Indiana? Check back here every Thursday for the latest news.
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