With the end of the regular legislative session, many of the high profile bills tackled by the General Assembly are still in limbo.
Last week, Gov. Ernie Fletcher threatened to call the General Assembly back in session if it didn't put several pieces of legislation, including funding for improvements to the Kentucky Horse Park, on his table.
Fletcher is concerned that if the General Assembly waits until next year's regular budget cycle to approve funding for improvements at the Kentucky Horse Park, it may be too late for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
The bill allots money for a new outdoor stadium that would help lure "legacy" events to the Horse Park in the years following the games.
Fletcher also wants the General Assembly to work on overhauling the state worker retirement system that is facing a massive shortfall.
Last week, the Senate approved a plan that would allow the state to sell over $800 million in bonds to cover the shortfall.
Some lawmakers are concerned that the retirement system could go broke by 2022.
One proposal that has passed both houses is a bill that would gradually raise the state's minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009.
Although Fletcher says he hasn't decided if he would sign the legislation, the proposal would affect over 100,000 Kentuckians who currently earn the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour.
A bill designed to improve safety for Kentucky miners was also passed.
Under the provisions of the bill, the number of annual state underground inspections would double and at least one miner on every mining crew would be required to carry a methane gas detector.
The bill, which passed the House Monday with a 96-0 vote, now goes before Fletcher who has said he would sign it into law.
The General Assembly will come back into session for "veto days" on March 26. The legislature can also address other issues during this timeframe.
A proposal to address a potential run-off election in June was also left unfinished by the General Assembly.
Under Kentucky law, if no candidate wins 40 percent of the vote in a gubernatorial primary, a run-off election must be held.
Local governments have been complaining about footing the bill, which could cost as much as $8 million, for another election and had called on the Legislature for help.
The proposal could be addressed before the mandated end of the session on March 30.
Some of the other key pieces of legislation left unpassed include:
Post a Comment
