Amid the ever-increasing intensity of the General Assembly, as lawmakers file bills ahead of the deadline, the big news at the capitol this week was Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order that would freeze vehicle tax rates for the next two years.
The vehicle tax is a hot item as constituents were furious over their tax increase, but it comes just as the Senate and the House were working on bills to do the same thing. In this particular instance, the governor leapfrogged the legislature just as they leapfrogged him with the House budget in January.
“A booming economy and the best state budget in 25 years means we can do more to help our working families and small businesses buy and sell the essential goods and services that are costing more and that are simply priced too high,” Beshear said. “We have all had enough – and today, I am doing something about it by providing immediate vehicle property tax relief and proposing a cut in the sales tax.”
The Republicans were not happy about the order, though they admitted it would be good for Kentucky families and wished the governor had done it sooner.
“Of course, we appreciate the Governor’s sudden interest in his administration’s policies as they relate to the motor vehicle tax, particularly since last week the House approved legislation that would not only set the motor vehicle tax at the 2021 rate but also address assessment issues that stem back to his father’s administration,” said House Speaker David Osborne (R-Prospect). “The unfortunate part of this is that he showed today he could have remedied this weeks ago.”
Northern Kentucky Representatives File New Legislation
Representative Rachel Roberts (D-Newport) announced the L.E.T.T.’s Grow Cannabis Legislation with Louisville Democratic Senators Morgan McGarvey and David Yates.
“Our legislation is the comprehensive plan that Kentuckians deserve, and it builds on what has worked in other states while avoiding their mistakes,” Roberts said of House Bill 521. “This would be a boon for our economy and our farmers alike.”
Polls show that Kentuckians support cannabis, but it wouldn’t solve all the problems in the state, according to the legislators. While potentially popular among legislators and voters, the bill is unlikely to pass with House and Senate leadership signaling they don’t think it would work in Kentucky.
Rep. Kim Moser (R-Taylor Mill) filed House Bill 525, which will address the healthcare worker shortage in Kentucky that will help provide better coverage. Moser chairs the House Health and Family Services Committee and noted that it’s on both the committee and the legislature to address the health needs of Kentuckians.
“The General Assembly has a great responsibility for public health,” Moser said.
“The commonwealth, unfortunately, continues to rank near the bottom nationally in many health metrics,” she said. “This includes diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.”
Next Week
Two COVID-19 related pieces of legislation will most likely play out in the chambers next week.
In response to the governor’s action on the vehicle tax, Senate Republican Donald Douglas filed Senate Joint Resolution 150, which would end the governor’s two-year state of emergency.
“My experience the past 23 months is unique compared to most in the legislature, as I have at one point been only a constituent, but since November, I’ve served as an elected voice for the 22nd District,” Douglas said. “It is time to end this state of emergency and do so in an affirmative manner. This is what our people want. This is what our constituents need. Dare I say; this is what they demand.”
But Beshear’s office released a statement saying Kentuckians still need to have caution.
“While Kentuckians should be excited that pandemic numbers are moving in the right direction, currently we still have more than 300 Kentucky National Guard members assisting overwhelmed hospitals, and last month we had 700 COVID-related deaths reported – yet despite these facts, the Senate today filed a joint resolution undoing their own extension of the state of emergency,” said Crystal Staley, the director of communications for Governor Beshear. “The state of emergency helps Kentucky receive federal dollars to fight the pandemic and provide relief. Kentucky is open for business – there are no state restrictions on our employers and our schools have been and are open. Gov. Beshear is focused on beating the pandemic and not playing politics. He hopes others will follow that example.”
In the lower chambers, The House will also hear arguments on House Bill 51, a bill that would put in place a statewide ban on mask mandates. Previously, most House Republicans have been comfortable allowing local officials to put in place these mask mandates, but they will be taking away that option if the bill is passed.
“I am voting no, and it’s a local control issue just as I said in this committee in regards to 15 minutes on school boards,” said Rep. Adam Koenig (R-Erlanger) in the committee meeting this week where the measure passed. “…with all due respect to my friend, the sponsor, I’ve talked to the three superintendents I represent. One district has gotten rid of it already, and another district today is the last day. Another one is fully operational, and it probably will be for a while. I respect their understanding of their school district and their ability to do what they feel is best for their district.”