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Weekly Legislative Update from Rep. Randy Bridges

Weekly Legislative Update from Rep. Randy Bridges
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By Rep. Randy Bridges
Feb. 22, 2019 | PADUCAH
By Rep. Randy Bridges Feb. 22, 2019 | 11:48 PM | PADUCAH
Child Welfare, Tax Updates, Pro-Life and Public Safety Pieces Dominate Week - By Rep. Randy Bridges

We’ve officially hit the halfway mark of the 2019 legislative session, with much accomplished even as significant activity remains.

In the House of Representatives, this past week was a banner week for a cause not only important to me – but also critical to the safety and protection of Kentucky families. Public safety took a large, bipartisan step forward as multiple bills began moving through the General Assembly that are designed to protect children from obscene crimes, consumers from scans, and some of our most vulnerable citizens from harm.

Nothing is more of a pressing issue for the General Assembly at this point in time than school safety. The School Safety and Resiliency Act took another monumental step forward this past week, advancing through the House Education Committee and to the full House for consideration. I am proud to support this measure, which secures our schools and strengthens our students with a comprehensive approach.

I was proud to vote for House Bill 158, legislation titled the Foster Child Bill of Rights. The bill would ensure that Kentucky children in foster care and other out-of-home placements have their basic needs met. The list of rights includes the right to “adequate food, clothing, and shelter” and “a safe, secure and stable family.” HB 158 would also require national and state background checks on child residential home and placement agency staff as required under a 2018 federal law. The cost of the background checks would be covered by the home or agency, not the employee. 

On Thursday, we voted 96-4 to approve a tax cleanup bill that would exempt all Kentucky nonprofits from collecting the sales tax on admissions to their charitable events. HB 354 also ensures that all nonprofits see their threshold for collecting sales taxes raised from $1,000 to $10,000. Last year, the legislature took a major step forward in making the tax code more pro-business, lowering your income taxes and moving Kentucky in a more consumption based direction. However, minor adjustments to major legislation like the tax reform package are always necessary as changes are implemented.

On Wednesday, the House voted 79-18 to set aside one day each year for Kentuckians to pray or reflect on the state’s public schools and their students. House Bill 166 would designate a voluntary “Day of Prayer for Kentucky’s Students” on the last Wednesday of each September, which would coincide with the international “See You at the Pole” student-led school prayer event. Student participation in the event would be voluntary and open to all faiths and religious traditions.

HB 5, legislation that would prevent selective and discriminatory abortions that are based on race, gender, and perceived disability, such as Down syndrome also began moving through the legislative process. I am looking forward to supporting this bill, which would apply the same civil rights protections that Kentuckians receive after they are born to our unborn. Pro-life measures are continuing to receive attention and I am pleased to see such strong support building for measures like HB 5.

Public safety measures like HB 298 and HB 130 moved through the House Judiciary Committee and will soon move on to the Senate. HB 298 stiffens penalties for the possession and distribution of child pornography that display minors under the age of 12, attacking a troubling trend of using young children for criminal purposes. Meanwhile, HB 130 expands the definition of terroristic threatening and raises the penalty for this crime to a Class C felony when an individual is caught preparing to carry out a threat, such as loading guns or ammunition in preparation of the crime.

I’m proud to have supported critical public safety issues during this legislative session, which will strengthen our communities and protect families. As we enter the final few weeks of the 2019 session, I will continue to keep you informed about progress on issues of importance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with your thoughts on issues we should address.

Rep. Bridges represents the 3rd House District, which includes part of McCracken County. Contact him/her with any questions, concerns, or advice. He can be reached through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181, or via e-mail at randy.bridges@lrc.ky.gov .
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