I feel compelled to begin this week’s legislative update with my thoughts on the recent audit released after a comprehensive third-party review of the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The failures of leadership and lack of strategic direction are clear in the news broken by our own local Adair Community Voice.
I was appalled when I first read the tragic reports of juvenile abuse that took place at the Adair County Youth Detention Center in December of 2022. Shortly after the news broke, I visited the center to tour the facility, meet with center officials, and get a full picture of its problems. The specific details of mistreatment and negligence that took place are truly abhorrent. I was also deeply disturbed by the subsequent incidents, specifically, the failure of leadership in the Adair County facility and DJJ as a whole to take accountability and prevent future abuse.
As many of you already know, this facility is facing severe allegations of sexual abuse, denial of mental and physical health treatments, and restriction of access to basic hygiene facilities and products. Recently, a third-party review of Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice yielded a shocking report illustrating a clear crisis in our juvenile justice system. The audit revealed several concerns with the DJJ’s staffing, culture, procedures, and strategic direction. There are inconsistent isolation policies and practices, pepper spray overuse at a rate significantly higher than adult federal prisons, a lack of clarity surrounding discipline and force, and issues with understaffing.
In the Kentucky Senate, our role is unique, particularly during the 60-day budget session. The Constitution of Kentucky clearly outlines any revenue-raising measures, to originate with the state House of Representatives. Traditionally, before the House submits a two-year state budget proposal, the executive branch provides its recommendations. After these initial proposals, the Senate then makes its contribution.
This process is beneficial as it allows the Senate to thoroughly analyze and gain an understanding of the proposals. Crucially, it allows us to define our priorities and establish a clear vision for the allocation of taxpayer dollars. This constitutionally-mandated budgeting approach ensures the Senate remains focused on a disciplined and well-informed assessment. You can expect a thoughtful and sound approach from me and my colleagues as we craft our version of the commonwealth’s two-year state budget, road plan, and other related appropriation and revenue bills.
The Senate passed a variety of bills this week, covering topics such as elections, bourbon industry regulations, and more. The following bills were approved and now move to the House for consideration:
I was happy to carry Senate Bill (SB) 81 in the Senate. I enjoyed my role as the former chair of the Senate Education committee and with experience as a professor at Campbellsville University and the University of Kentucky I was familiar with the need for SB 81. The bill alters the makeup of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) and its sister board, the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC). KHESLC was created by the legislature in 1978 to finance, make, and service Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans in conjunction with KHEAA, the state’s federal guarantor for FFELP loans. For some background, various states have recently added arduous fingerprinting and financial disclosure requirements to their loan servicer and lender licensing requirements that must be completed by the applicant’s board of directors. Ex officio KHESLC board members must meet these requirements although they are statutorily placed on the board by virtue of their positions instead of through gubernatorial appointment. KHESLC cannot continue offering alternative student loans in other states without all board members providing the required information, resulting in diminished revenues that support KHEAA and KHESLC operations. SB 81 will prevent most of KHESLC’s ex officio members from meeting the stringent security requirements of out-of-state regulators by making them, except the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary, members of the KHESLC board, and nonvoting advisors. Those members would remain voting members of the KHEAA board.
Additional bills passed included:
SB 46 – Windshield Tinting: Brings relief to Kentucky drivers by allowing tinting on front windshields, benefiting those who spend long hours in vehicles. The measure, following federal safety standards, aims to potentially reduce cancer rates caused by UV rays and enhance driver comfort.
SB 50 – Bourbon Industry Regulations: Implements changes to strengthen Kentucky’s bourbon industry, addressing retail sales, private events, and distribution of distilled spirits. Notably, it allows distillers with a Class B license to sell and deliver up to 5,000 gallons annually to licensed retailers.
SB 75 – Capitol Access: Reopens a portion of Capital Avenue in Frankfort, providing access to residents and tourists. The bill allows emergency responders and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to manage traffic on state Capitol grounds, addressing security concerns and reducing the risk of pedestrian injury.
SB 80 – Election Integrity: Strengthens election integrity by refining Kentucky’s voter ID laws. The bill removes student or employee IDs and credit or debit cards as identification options, aligning with previous legislation focused on reasonable voter access.
SB 125 – Off-Highway Vehicle Programs: Creates economic opportunities for eastern Kentucky by extending the ability for local governments to start off-highway vehicle pilot programs. The bill expands the definition of local government, opening the program to the entire state.
I signed on to a proposed resolution this week stating the Kentucky Senate’s support of Governor Greg Abbotts efforts to secure the southern border and protect his residents and even ours from the unchecked entry of deadly drugs. There is much misinformation, omitted information, surrounding the circumstances around Governor Abbotts efforts. A district court in Texas issued a ruling ordering the Biden Administration to discontinue removing Texas government barriers along the border, even on private lands, and the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the court’s order. Texas was not directed to discontinue its border security efforts. With the Supreme Court’s lifting of the District Court ruling, the federal government can legally resume removing barriers. I and many others contend this is a dereliction of duty by the Biden Administration and in the absence of federal government leadership, state leadership in Texas is morally and legally obligated to take action to protect state residents and U.S. Citizens.
Please check out the KYSenateRepublicans.com website to find press releases from the Senate Majority Caucus. Information on all our members, myself included, can be found along with other valuable resources.
You can find the status of legislation like these and others by calling 866-840-2835 or receiving legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650. You can also watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and Legislature.ky.gov.
Thank you for your continued interest and engagement in the 2024 Regular Session and it is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Please contact my office if I can assist you. You can email me at max.wise@lrc.ky.gov or reach my office toll-free at 1-800-372-7181.
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Senator Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. He is Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee chair. Wise also serves as a Senate Education Committee member and is a member of the newly formed Families and Children Committee and Health Services Committee. Additionally, he is an Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee member.
(Angela L. Billings, Director of Communications – Senate Majority Leadership)