Report to the People
By: State Senator Ernie Harris

As the gavel falls opening the 2002 Regular Session of the General Assembly on January 8, 2002, Kentucky is facing a dilemma it has not encountered in years—revenues that are below budget predictions.  The deficit will force members of the General Assembly to set priorities and make difficult decisions.  We must have more accountability in government.  No longer can state money be doled out without stringent controls, restraints and accountability.  As your State Senator, I will work to continually improve government’s accountability to you.

I have been and will continue to be an excellent steward of your tax dollars.  I, along with my colleagues in the Senate Majority, will pass a conservative, responsible budget that meets the needs of Kentuckians.  I feel strongly this can be done by making government more cost efficient and accountable—not by raising your taxes.

Almost four months after the September 11 attacks, feelings of anxiety are still on the minds of many Kentuckians.  The newly created Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection will investigate ways to improve state government’s ability to protect the Commonwealth from terrorism.  This committee will also take up legislation that continues retirement account contributions and a possible income tax holiday for the hundreds of brave men and women who have left their civilian jobs for active duty in the National Guard or Reserve.

One issue especially troublesome to senior citizens is telemarketing.   We want to protect not only senior citizens, but everyone else too, from telemarketing fraud.  We also want to protect individual privacy. 

Reacting to legislation passed by Senate Republicans in the 2001 session, the Federal Trade Commission has announced its intent to create a federal no call list and those regulations are currently being drafted.  Once the federal no call list is developed, we intend to pass legislation that enables every Kentuckian to put their name on that list.  A federal list will help stop unwanted telemarketing calls by creating an effective enforcement mechanism.

I also expect the solid waste disposal & garbage issue will again be before the General Assembly.  Senate Republicans presented an effective solid waste disposal plan in the 2001 session.  We also prevented the enactment of the Governor’s “one size fits all” plan, and the multi million dollar tax hike that went with it.  In 2002 Senate Republicans will again pass a responsible solid waste management bill.  I believe local entities and waste management districts, armed with full and accurate information, can devise the best plans for waste disposal.

Grassroots efforts, like the PRIDE program of Congressman Hal Rogers, are working to rid roadsides of litter and hillsides of illegal dumps.  As your State Senator, I’m working to forward the importance of local initiatives.  Whether the issue is trash disposal or some sort of regulations for growth, local residents should make decisions about their local communities.

These are just a few examples of the many issues the General Assembly will deal with during the 2002 session.  All of these issues affect you, either directly or indirectly, and have a profound impact on the Commonwealth.