Women lawmakers are leading the way for the General Assembly

While some are loading up on toilet paper and watching the latest Netflix series, I’ve been watching Kentucky Education Television (KET). The network provides a great service to Kentuckians and its coverage of the Kentucky General Assembly is one of the best in the country.

Thanks to this, I’ve been able to follow the 2020 legislative session by watching live or archived videos of committee meetings and floor debates anywhere there’s a WIFI signal. I have been appalled at some of the issues our legislators prioritize and disappointed with their inability to stand up for what’s right. The women legislators, however, are ahead of the pack and leading us toward a more just and fair Commonwealth.

Representative Attica Scott, D - Jefferson, initiated a battery of questions, asking Budget Chair Representative Michael Meredith about the $500,000 appropriation to the Ordered Liberty student group at University of Louisville’s Law School. Scott and her colleagues objected to the group’s funding because of its extreme views on social media sites, and equally because while funding this group, the House version of the budget eliminates funding for the Commission on Women and the Minority Empowerment Office, and does not restore funds to the Human Rights Commission.

Similarly, Representative Kim King, R - Mercer, started the House floor debate on the local options sales tax bill with questions to Minority Leader Joni Jenkins. The lady from Mercer went on to share that when she polled her constituents they overwhelmingly wanted comprehensive tax reform and not additional local taxes. She boldly stated her intention to be the first to vote ‘no’ on the measure. The proposed constitutional amendment to allow local governments to levy local sales taxes was defeated that day.

I heard several legislators express how the budget reflected a war on women and children: no relief for the overbooked state social workers, inadequate funding for education, especially early childhood programs and child care assistance. Only $7 per student for textbooks. Representative Josie Raymond noted the budget cut critical community-based preschool partnerships at a time when 41 percent of 3-4 year olds lack access to preschool - putting them at risk for abuse and health problems.

Representative Angie Hatton (D - Letcher) defended rural newspapers as the information hub for small towns and pleaded for broader access to the internet. Last week on the Senate floor, Senator Robin Webb further defended the need for libraries. “People are gonna have to forfeit their internet subscriptions, and those are the populations that need to get online for a job application, unemployment application. The library is the oasis for them.”

Senator Webb expressed her disappointment that in the midst of the state government’s slowdown in response to COVIC-19, the Senate version of the budget has reductions in the state’s labor department budget and reductions for community health services. With less than 24 hours to review, the Senate passed its version of the budget without “anyone at the table,” said Senator Webb. “Nobody can get to the capitol. It’s not the way we should be doing business.”

In February, Representative Lisa Willner (D- Jefferson) offered a solution and introduced HB416 - a comprehensive tax reform bill - that would raise and invest $1 billion dollars in state agencies, services and programs and infrastructure needs so critical at this moment.

The proposal lowers taxes for middle-income and poor Kentuckians--almost enough to wipe out the tax increases from a couple of years ago. Just as important, the bill would also roll back Kentucky’s massive tax breaks to the wealthy and to corporations that allowed them to shift their reporting and therefore avoid paying taxes. Having a tax system that lets us choose each other instead of corporations would mean that we could finally generate the revenue we need for Medicaid expansion, internet access, quality pre-K for every child and clean water in Martin County - funds for emergency response for the coronavirus. HB416 bill has 20 sponsors: 11 women, and no Republicans.

In this time of quarantine, women across the Commonwealth are leading their families’ response and need support. With fewer and fewer supports and tools, women are making things happen so that our state and households run. Teachers, social workers, parents, care-takers, service workers are putting out fires and using band-aids to mitigate the harm that comes everyday from our irresponsible state budget - that does not guarantee a pension for future teachers. It’s time for the legislature to step up and do the right thing. HB416 will provide the relief and revenue needed for vital services that keep our state running and families safe.

The bill has not been heard in committee.

Everyday we are being told to divide ourselves - to only see our differences. But Kentuckians know better. Instead, we are connecting on our vision for the future. From Pikeville to Paducah, we are changing the narrative about who we are and trusting that we are all we need to create the Kentucky we want. We are choosing each other.

During this time of rest and healing, tune into KET and find out who and what our legislators are choosing.

Cassia Herron is the chair of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.