Report to the People
By: State Senator Ernie Harris

With the establishment of the new district lines, the principle of “one person one vote” is upheld.  All State Senate, State House and Congressional districts are within the constitutional requirements for population.  Also, at the Senate Majority’s insistence, the new legislative boundary lines conform to the Voting Rights act of 1965, meaning minorities will be better served and have more influence in the legislative process.

Our goal from day one on this issue was to pass a redistricting plan that protected the constitutional rights of fair representation for every citizen of Kentucky.  The compromise plan we agreed to with the House and the plan that was signed into law by the Governor insures your rights. 

Several Senate Districts have changed.  There are also two new districts that currently are not served by an incumbent State Senator.  These changes were necessary because of shifts in population throughout Kentucky.  Redistricting and legislative boundary lines are based on the official population figures provided by the Census.  The constitutional task of redistricting has been completed and now for the first time ever Kentucky conforms to the Voting Rights act of 1965 and we now have more parity than ever before the two major political parties. 

Even though the redistricting negotiations took up a large part of the Senate week, several pieces of legislation were acted upon. Senate Bill 2 was also passed out of the Senate and is now in the State House for consideration.  Senate Bill 2 is one of our major objectives.  SB 2 is legislation that would build on the state’s commitment to serving people with mental illnesses or substance abuse problems. Senate Bill 2 would ensure the continuation of a statewide network of regional councils that assess needs and make recommendations to improve services for people with mental illnesses or substance abuse problems.

The Senate took a step to head off potential threats against Kentuckians by passing Senate Bill 90. This legislation protects mental health professions from being sued for notifying authorities about a threat of violence made by one of their patients. With violence in schools a growing concern, the legislation also would ensure school guidance counselors are protected from lawsuits for reporting threats made by students.

We also passed two pieces of legislation important to many members of the military and Kentucky veterans. Senate Bill 94 would ensure that state workers who serve in the military could receive retirement benefit credit for time spent on active military duty. This would guarantee state workers who serve their country wouldn’t be penalized by having their retirement plans thrown off track.

Another piece of legislation that has receive a good deal of attention is Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would require the Commonwealth of Kentucky to honor soldiers who didn’t return from war by flying the POW/MIA flag, along with the U.S. and Kentucky flags, at any Vietnam veterans memorial on state property.  Senate Joint Resolution 2 was also passed.  It would rename the portion of interstate 64 from Ashland to Louisville “The Purple Heart Trail.”

As the 2002 legislative session enters its second month, more than 700 bills have already been filed for lawmakers to consider. In order to make certain our area’s interests are represented as effectively as possible, I encourage you to provide me with your feedback.  I hope you’ll take a moment to share your thoughts with me. You can leave a message for me by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at (800) 372-7181. You can also learn about some of the legislation under consideration and find contact information for state lawmakers on the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.state.ky.us.