Senator Webb honored with Keystone of Grayson Award by the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce
Tyson Chicken announces expansion in Henderson
FRANKFORT (Dec. 20, 2016) – Tyson Chicken announced an expansion in Henderson Co., according to a release from Gov. Matt Bevin’s office and a report on Kyndle.
Sen. Dorsey Ridley, D-Henderson, said local resources are available to ensure the company’s success in the region.
To read the article, click here.
Senate Democratic Caucus elects leadership team
Jones re-elected Democratic Floor Leader
FRANKFORT (Dec. 16, 2016) – Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus met today to choose their leadership team for the next two years.
Senator Ray S. Jones II, D-Pikeville, was re-elected Senate Democratic floor leader and Senator Julian M. Carroll, D-Frankfort, was re-elected caucus whip. Also, elected to the leadership team was Senator Dorsey Ridley, D-Henderson, as caucus chair.
The legislature will convene the 2017 Legislative Session at noon Tuesday, Jan. 3 for a brief organizational session, which will conclude Friday, Jan. 6. Legislators will return to Frankfort Tuesday, Feb. 7, to continue the 2017 Legislative Session
Sen. Neal appears on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight”
Sen. Gerald Neal (D-Louisville) appeared on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight” on Dec. 5 to discuss charter school legislation that may be introduced in the upcoming General Assembly.
Sen. Neal appeared on a panel with host Bill Goodman as well as Education and Workforce Development Secretary Hal Heiner; Jim Waters, president of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions; and Tom Shelton, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents.
To view the program, click here.
Sen. McGarvey to participate in White House Legislator Roundtable discussions
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 5, 2016) – Senator Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, has been selected to participate in two White House Legislator Roundtable discussions dealing with gun violence and middle class economics this week in Washington, D.C.
“I am honored to be selected to serve on these important roundtables,” McGarvey said. “I look forward to hearing ideas and concerns from government officials and legislators across the country to get a broader perspective on two very serious topics.”
Through the White House State Legislator Roundtable on Gun Violence, McGarvey hopes to gain ideas for addressing the escalating violence in Jefferson County.
“This is a topic in which we should come together. Yes, there are individuals who think we need more guns and others who believe we should have fewer guns, but no one wants more gun violence,” McGarvey said. “I hope to learn more about what other states, cities, and communities are doing to combat this problem and share that information with local and state leaders here in Kentucky.”
McGarvey hopes to use the White House State Legislator Roundtable on Middle Class Economics to gain insight on key economic issues that will be incredibly relevant as the Kentucky General Assembly looks at reforming the state’s tax codes.
These will be the last legislative roundtables held under the Obama Administration looking ahead to 2017.
Sen. Thomas to discuss gun violence legislation at Lexington Forum event
Senator Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, will discuss a bill he prefiled to reduce gun violence on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Local Government and Firearms Regulation event hosted by Lexington Forum.
Thomas has prefiled a bill for the 2017 Legislative Session allowing local governments to regulate firearms and ammunition to reduce gun violence, except when state or federal law preempts local governance.
The forum will be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Hilary J. Boone Center at the University of Kentucky.
For more information on the Local Government and Firearms Regulation event, click here.
Sen. McGarvey appears on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight”
Sen. Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville) appeared on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight” on Nov. 21 to discuss the possibility of passing tax reform legislation in the upcoming General Assembly.
Sen. McGarvey appeared on a panel with host Bill Goodman as well as Sen. Christian McDaniel (R-Taylor Mill) and Jason Bailey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.
To view the program, click here.
Sen. Clark participates in White Coat Program
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 1, 2016) – Senator Perry B. Clark, D-Louisville, participated in the White Coat Program on Oct. 31 and went on rounds with Dr. Rodica Turcu.
The White Coat Program is through the Greater Louisville Medical Society and is intended to give community leaders a behind the scene look at the medical profession by shadowing practitioners in the medical profession. The program provides an opportunity to exchange ideas all for better healing of the community.
Senator Clark accompanied Dr. Turcu to a pediatric wing, where the doctors do not wear white coats because chronically ill children often associate pain and illness with white coats and the coats frighten them.
Yesterday, the children received a special treat. Since it was Halloween, Dr. Turcu traded in her white doctor’s coat for Minnie Mouse ears and clothes.
Sen. Webb appears on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight”
Senator Robin Webb, D-Grayson, appeared on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight” on Monday, Oct. 10, to discuss education issues.
Other guests along with host Bill Goodman were Representative Wilson Stone, D-Scottsville, Representative Phil Moffett, R-Louisville, and Senator Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green.
The panel discussed education-related issues that might be addressed when the Kentucky General Assembly convenes the 2017 Regular Session in January.
To watch the episode, click here.
Webb represents the 18th Senatorial District that includes Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties.
Senator Neal files bill to reduce felony expungement fee
FRANKFORT (Oct. 3, 2016) – Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Gerald A. Neal, D-Louisville, pre-filed legislation (BR 136) today to reduce the filing fee for felony expungement.
During the 2016 Regular Session, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation (House Bill 40) to allow Kentuckians convicted of low-level non-violent felonies to ask the court to permanently expunge their records five years after they have completed their sentence or probation. The filing fee for an application to have records expunged was set at $500, a fee that Neal says is too high and unnecessarily burdensome.
BR 136 reduces the filing fee for felony expungement from $500 to $200 and would be waivable upon finding of indigency. In addition, the bill would clarify the refund procedure upon denial of expungement.
“The current $500 fee is just too high and appears to have no established relationship to the actual cause for processing,” Neal said. “Currently, Kentucky has the second highest fee in the country and is prohibitively expensive for many expungement seekers.
“We are trying to encourage and enable these people to become more productive citizens again,” he added. “Why would we want to encumber that process with an exorbitantly unnecessarily high fee?”
The first $50 of each fee collected is deposited into a trust and agency account for deputy clerks and is not refunded. Under Neal’s legislation, the remainder of the filing fee should be deposited into the general fund, and should be refunded if the application is denied. The court may waive all or any portion of the fee if the court finds that the applicant is indigent or financially unable to pay all or any portion of the fee. No filing fee should be required as a condition for filing an application relating to an offense for which a full pardon has been granted.
Neal said there are other items that need to be addressed in HB 40 to make it more effective and enabling more of our citizens to regain productivity. He calls for a reexamination of HB 40, including the following:
- Adding charges dismissed without prejudice to the list of expungeable non-convictions;
- Expanding the list of eligible felonies to include all Class D felonies that are not subject to enhancement; non-violent and non-sex Class C felonies; multiple qualifying felonies, even if not as part of a single incident;
- Clarifying the meaning of multiple felonies “arising from a single incident” by defining what constitutes a single incident;
- Clarifying procedures for expungements of multiple misdemeanors;
- Clarifying procedures in pardon cases;
- Limiting when certification is necessary by requiring certifications only for requests to expunge convictions;
- Clarifying enhancement limitation, and
- Adding requirement of removal of any references in related cases by requiring Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to remove references to the petitioner from all related cases, as tracked by AOC’s case information system.
BR 136 will be offered for consideration during the upcoming session, which convenes Jan. 3, 2017.
State Legislative Committee to meet in Ashland to address Kentucky’s drug problem
FRANKFORT (Oct. 3, 2016) – Senator Robin Webb, D- Grayson, and Rep. Kevin Sinnette, D-Ashland, will be joined by members of the General Assembly, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear and other officials to address the commonwealth’s drug epidemic at 10 a.m. Friday, October 7 in Ashland.
“Drugs are a scourge on our society – across our state and nation,” said Senator Webb. “Despite legislative attempts to reduce the fatality rate, the overdose numbers continue to rise. Heroin overdose deaths are increasing, especially now that heroin is being mixed with stronger drugs such as fentanyl. Drugs and addiction are not only affecting the lives of the users, but also our families.”
There were 1,248 overdose death rates in Kentucky in 2015, compared to 1,071 in 2014, according to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center. Heroin was detected in 28 percent of the deaths in 2015, which officials said was consistent with the previous year. In 2015, the pain killer fentanyl was a factor in 420 of the fatalities. That figure was up from 121 in 2014.
“Drugs are destroying our families and the problem continues to get worse,” said Rep. Sinnette. “A recent report from the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy has counties in eastern Kentucky ranked as the worst in 2012-2015 in the rate of overdose deaths per 100,000 people. This is unacceptable.”
The meeting on Friday by the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary will focus on five areas:
- Workable Solutions to the Drug Epidemic
o Kentucky AG Andy Beshear
o Rep. Russ Meyer
o Rep. Dennis Keene
o Jessamine County Sheriff Kevin Corman.
- Re-entry Drug Supervision Pilot Program
o Rep. Lewis Nicholls
- Celebrating Families: An Evidence-Based Model to Strengthen Recovery
o Dr. Jennifer Kersker, Celebrating Families
- Local Law Enforcement and the Drug Epidemic
o Greenup County Sheriff Matt Smith
- 2017 RS BR 22: Gross Misdemeanors
o Rep. Brent Yonts
Co-chairs of the IJC on Judiciary are Sen. Whitney Westerfield and Rep. Darryl T. Owens. Along with Sen. Webb and Rep. Sinnette, additional members are Senators Danny Carroll, Perry B. Clark, Carroll Gibson, Ray S. Jones II, Alice Forgy Kerr, John Schickel, Wil Schroder, Dan Seum, and President Robert Stivers, and Representatives Johnny Bell, Robert Benvenuti II, Joseph M. Fischer, Kelly Flood, Jim Gooch Jr., Chris Harris, Jeff Hoover, Joni L. Jenkins, Stan Lee, Mary Lou Marzian, Reginald Meeks, Suzanne Miles, Lewis Nicholls, Tom Riner, Ken Upchurch, Gerald Watkins and Brent Yonts.
The meeting will be held at the Ashland Community and Technical College – Technology Drive Campus, 902 Technology Drive, Grayson, KY 41143.
Senator Webb serves the 18th Senate district that includes Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties. Rep. Sinnette serves 100th House district that includes part of Boyd County.
WDRB.com reports on two prefiled bills from Sen. Neal
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2016) – WDRB.com in Louisville recently reported on two bills that Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, recently prefiled on jury pools and jurors that will be considered during the 2017 legislative session.
The first attempts to widen the jury pool and would allow personal IDs to join other forms of identification for potential jurors. The second addresses jury pay and would increase daily pay for jurors from $12 to $40.
To read the WDRB.com article, click here.
Sen. Thomas pre-files minimum wage bill
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2016) – Senator Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, today pre-filed a bill to raise the minimum wage for workers in Kentucky.
“In my opinion, this should be the number one economic priority of the General Assembly during the 2017 Session,” said Senator Thomas. “This one piece of legislation could do so much to help Kentucky families.
“The reasons to increase the minimum wage are innumerable,” he added. “An increase would raise the economic activity in the commonwealth and spur job growth in our communities. It would help to reduce class inequality. It would allow more people to afford housing and everyday essentials. It would reduce the number of families dependent on government assistance and would lead to healthier Kentuckians.”
BR 138 would increase the minimum wage incrementally, from $7.25 an hour to $8.20 beginning July 1, 2018, then to $9.15 in July 2019 and finally to $10.10 the following year.
“This would be an eventual increase of about $2,000 for those workers,” Senator Thomas said.
The bill would increase the minimum hourly wage for tipped workers. The employer must pay $2.13 an hour beginning on the effective date of this bill. As of July 2018, the employer would be required to pay not less than $3.05 an hour, then $3.95 in July 2019 and $4.90 in July 2020.
Small businesses, including retail stores, service industries, hotels, motels, and restaurant operations, earning less than $500,000 in annual gross sales would be exempt from the wage increase.
Thomas’ bill does not restrict the power of any city, county, urban-county government, charter county government, consolidated local government, or unified local government to adopt and enforce minimum wage rate ordinances in excess of the requirements of BR 138.
“Raising the minimum wage would be good for Kentucky’s families – all of Kentucky’s families including those in far western and far eastern Kentucky and those in central and northern Kentucky,” said Senator Thomas. “It is just the right thing for us to do.”
The last time a minimum wage increase in Kentucky was approved by the legislature was in 2007.
BR 138 will be considered during the 2017 Regular Session, which will convene Tuesday, Jan. 3.
WKYT-TV in Lexington reported on Sen. Thomas’s pre-filed bill. To read their report, click here.
Sen. Webb named to state’s 225th Anniversary Commission
FRANKFORT , Ky. (Sept. 20, 2016) – Senator Robin Webb, D-Grayson, has been appointed to the Kentucky 225th Anniversary Commission by Senate President Robert Stivers.
The commission will be a driving force behind numerous celebrations and continued education in 2017 that mark this milestone in Kentucky’s history.
“My family traveled to Kentucky with the Boone family in the 1700s so as a proud Kentuckian and a student of history, I look forward to serving on this commission,” said Senator Webb. “I consider it a great honor to be appointed and look forward to working with the other members to help make memorable events of the 225th celebrations of our statehood that will be held in schools and communities across the commonwealth.”
The commission is charged with:
- Studying and recommending activities, programs, and educational events that will be conducted throughout the commonwealth in recognition of the 225th anniversary of Kentucky’s statehood;
- Educating citizens and the nation on Kentucky’s history;
- Serving as a coordinating point for information about various state, regional and local activities related to the 225th anniversary;
- Recommending materials, programs and activities to public agencies, schools and interested organizations related to Kentucky’s history and the 225th anniversary, and
- Seeking grants and philanthropic support for activities celebrating the state’s history and anniversary.
Kentucky ratified a draft of its first constitution in April 1792 and submitted that constitution to the U.S. Congress. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky was admitted to the Union as the nation’s 15th state.
“Kentucky has a proud and exciting history,” said Senator Webb. “It will be an honor to be involved in the promotion of that history as well as our great commonwealth and its people.”
The commission is made up of legislators from both the Senate and the House of Representatives; Lt. Gov. Hampton; First Lady Glenna Bevin; and representatives from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Historical Society, the Kentucky Education Association, the Kentucky Education Television, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Kentucky Travel Industry Association.
The commission will meet on Sept. 29th.
Senator Webb represents the 18th senatorial district that includes Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties.
First Kentucky hospitals receive certification for sexual assault nurse examiner readiness
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 19, 2016) — Several Kentucky hospitals are the first to have obtained certification as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)-ready facilities. This means these facilities have successfully demonstrated readiness to provide round-the-clock response for sexual assault victims.
A sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse with advanced training in the forensic examination of sexual assault victims and is credentialed by the Board of Nursing. The SANE certifications were issued to all of the St. Elizabeth Hospitals in Northern Kentucky, Fleming County Hospital and Meadowview Regional Medical Center by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) following passage of the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) Act by the General Assembly earlier this year.
“St. Elizabeth Hospitals, Fleming County Hospital and Meadowview Regional Medical have taken an important step in becoming SANE-ready,” said CHFS Sec. Vickie Yates Brown Glisson. “This designation demonstrates a commitment to providing a higher standard of care for sexual assault victims by ensuring they will be examined and treated by someone with skills and expertise necessary when dealing with this type of crime. This is a certainly step forward for victims’ rights in Kentucky.”
Intended to address the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits, the SAFE Act also seeks to improve the quality of medical care sexual assault victims receive by allowing hospitals to seek a SANE-ready designation if they have a SANE nurse on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I applaud these hospitals for taking the necessary steps to become SANE-ready facilities. It is crucial to provide victims of sexual assault with the highest standard of care,” said Sen. Whitney Westerfield. “This certification is another victory in the fight for victims’ rights in Kentucky, and I hope our state continues to show victims and their families that we are taking seriously their treatment and well-being.”
“I commend these facilities for demonstrating their readiness to examine and care for assault victims and look forward to more facilities participating in this program,” said Senator Denise Harper Angel, who sponsored the legislation which paved the way for SANE certified facilities. “The SAFE Act is so important for protecting Kentuckians and helping bring justice for individuals who experienced these terrible crimes. The SAFE Act clears a path to justice and it tells victims — many of which have been waiting for so long — that they’ll wait no longer.”
Kentucky lawmakers passed the SAFE Act with bipartisan support during the 2016 General Assembly. Following its passage, Governor Matt Bevin proposed an additional $4.5 million for the state crime lab to help it meet new testing deadlines set by the bill.
“Making sure sexual assault victims receive quality, compassionate care in the immediate hours following an assault can help them begin the long journey toward healing,” said Eileen Recktenwald, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP). ” KASAP commends these hospitals for recognizing the importance of SANE readiness and seeking the certification, and we hope others follow suit.
CHFS will be charged with annually certifying SANE-ready hospitals, posting a list of certified facilities on its website and providing the list to the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services. The state Board of EMS, in turn, shares that list with the local EMS providers.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announces grants for upgrades at Kentucky riverports
Five riverports receive grants for upgrades and repairs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2016) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced today that five Kentucky riverports have been awarded $500,000 in grants from Kentucky’s Riverport Financial Assistance Trust Fund. The grants will fund necessary riverport improvements and repairs.
“Kentucky’s river cities have done great work developing our waterways as commercial assets,” said Cabinet Sec. Greg Thomas. “By making these necessary investments in our riverports we support their efforts to create a more competitive and efficient transportation infrastructure that grows the economy of the entire state.”
Riverports in Hickman, Paducah, Eddyville, Owensboro and Henderson will receive matching grants to supplement investments made by each riverport on projects like dock dredging, pavement rehabilitation, railroad repair and crane restoration.
Sen. Joe Bowen said the grant will enhance the expanding Riverport, making it more competitive and connected to a global market.
“The grant from Kentucky’s Riverport Financial Assistance Trust Fund for the City of Owensboro will be another tool in the toolbox for enhancing our expanding Riverport in our community. Bettering this global port will make Owensboro even more competitive and connected to a global market, and I look forward to seeing the new updates implemented.”
Rep. Suzanne Miles is grateful the investment will allow Henderson and Owensboro to continue to be both efficient and competitive in a global market.
“I am grateful to the Transportation Cabinet for their assistance in seeing our projects through,” said Rep. Suzanne Miles. “The riverports in Henderson and Owensboro are vital assets to the economic growth of our communities, and this investment will allow us to continue to be both efficient and competitive in a global market. I look forward to seeing the future success that occurs with the help of these important grants.”
Sen. Stan Humphries believes the grant funds will be of great benefit to Lyon and Fulton Counties as they work towards becoming competitive assets in Kentucky waterways.
“I am pleased to learn that the City of Eddyville and City of Hickman were awarded a grant from Kentucky’s Riverport Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Western Kentucky has been consistently working toward being a competitive asset in Kentucky’s waterways, and these grant funds will certainly benefit Lyon and Fulton Counties, as well as the surrounding areas.”
Rep. Steven Rudy said the funds are critical to ensuring Paducah’s economic growth is not hindered.
“The grants provided by the Transportation Cabinet will be extremely helpful as we work to make critical upgrades to our riverport,” said Rep. Steven Rudy. “Paducah has seen immense growth, and we must ensure that we are setup for continued success. The upgrades made to our docks and truck scales will allow our area to remain competitive, and I am grateful to the Transportation Cabinet for their assistance in ensuring Paducah’s economic growth is not hindered.”
Sen. Danny Carroll said the river infrastructure is imperative for efficiency, safety and the region’s transportation abilities.
“This improvement of Paducah’s city and river infrastructure must continue not only for the sake of efficiency and safety, but also to advance our region and Kentucky’s transportation abilities. I thank the Kentucky’s Riverport Financial Assistance Trust Fund for awarding Paducah this grant and I look forward to seeing the improvements continue.”
Sen. Dorsey Ridley was pleased the funding will help make the necessary restorations on the main dock crane, ensuring cargo can reach its destinations.
“I am pleased that the Riverport Authority has received funding to make the necessary restorations on the main dock crane, especially since the facility is known for its crane capacity. “It is important that this top-knotch facility has the equipment to allow it to continue to ensure that its cargo can reach its destinations in the U.S. and abroad as efficiently as possible.”
According to a 2012 study by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky moved 98 million tons of commodities worth approximately $10.1 billion by barge to 199 manufacturing facilities, terminals and docks in 2008.
Additionally, Kentucky’s riverports allow for a far more efficient transport of bulk commodities than land-based freight systems. One gallon of fuel can move 1 ton of cargo 514 miles compared to 202 by train and just 59 by truck.
“Riverports are vital to connecting Kentucky to the global economy,” Greg Curlin, chairman of the Water Transportation Advisory Board said. “We’re proud that the Trust Fund helps each Kentucky riverport upgrade critical infrastructure to prepare for export and import growth.”
Kentucky’s Riverport Financial Assistance Trust Fund and the Water Transportation Advisory Board that makes recommendations on how Trust Fund resources are allocated was created by the General Assembly in 2010. By statute KYTC administers the program and since 2013, Kentucky has awarded $500,000 in grants for public riverport upgrades each year.
Sen. Neal files gun storage safety legislation
FRANKFORT (Sep. 12, 2016) – Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Gerald A. Neal, D-Louisville, recently prefiled gun storage safety legislation (BR 186) to be considered during the 2017 Legislative Session.
Under BR 186, a person would be guilty of unlawful storage of a firearm when he or she recklessly stores a firearm in a manner that allows a minor to have access to a firearm which is not secured by a trigger lock; and the minor, without legal justification, accesses the firearm.
Children in homes with guns are at an elevated risk for being involved in unintentional shootings. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. has one of the highest reported rates of unintentional child deaths in the world.
“The statistics for unintentional shootings are staggering and avoidable,” Neal said. “Much too often, and recently in Louisville, we hear reports of a child involved in an unintentional shooting. Studies show that most children know where parents keep their guns and many have accessed those guns when their parents were not home and/or the weapon was unattended or unsecured. This is a problem that cries out for common sense action to protect our children. It is our job to keep them safe.”
The proposed bill is designed to encourage responsible action of those in possession of a gun, to take steps to secure them in the interest of safety. If the bill gains approval, the unlawful storage of a firearm will be a Class B misdemeanor, unless the minor, without legal justification, uses the firearm in a manner which results in physical injury, serious physical injury, or death to the minor or another person, in which case it would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Between 2007 and 2011, 311 children age 14 and under died from unintentional shootings – 62 deaths a year, according to the CDC. Children hospitalized with non-fatal injuries totaled 660 for each of those years.
Neal said that BR 186 was drafted with the support of Luther Brown, executive director for the Boards 4 Change and the Little-Hand, Little Feet Gun Safety Program.
The General Assembly will consider the bill when legislators return to Frankfort in January for the 2017 Legislative Session.
Sen. Thomas appears on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight”
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sep. 12, 2016) – Senator Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, appeared on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight” to discuss Medicaid, including the Medicaid expansion and the waiver submitted in August by Gov. Matt Bevin.
Thomas, who has served in the Senate since 2014, is a member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
Senator Thomas appeared with Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, vice chair of the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources; Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, and Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Florence, vice chair of the House Health and Welfare Committee.
Renee Shaw served as substitute host for Bill Goodman.
Thomas represents the 13th Senatorial District that includes a portion of Fayette County.
To view the broadcast, click here.