Lexington Herald Leader: "Cheap Ways Legislature Can Do Much Good". I Totally AGREE!
Cheap ways legislature can do much good
The best things in life may be free, but there's nothing like do-re-me for greasing the wheels of the legislature.
Money to build roads, schools, community centers and fund lawmakers' pet projects is the currency of exchange for difficult votes.
Like many Kentuckians, state government is running short on cash as high unemployment resists the good news from Wall Street. Gov. Steve Beshear and lawmakers will be cutting state services, not pumping money into new programs or projects, this session.
Despite all that, lawmakers can accomplish quite a bit at modest or no cost. In the make-do-with-less spirit of the times, we offer these good, but cheap, ideas for the legislature:
Extend domestic violence protections to dating partners. Amanda's Law will be a hollow victory if a class of victims is denied its protection. Kentucky is in a minority of states where domestic violence victims cannot get protective orders unless they have been married to or lived with their abuser. House Bill 30 would right this wrong.
Outlaw texting while driving. Several studies have shown that text messaging behind the wheel impairs a driver more than being drunk. A law won't wipe out this reckless practice. But it would keep some drivers' minds on the road, and that could save lives.
Cap payday loans at 36 percent interest. The laws against usury date back to ancient times, but somehow the short-term lending industry got the legislature to roll back common decency a few years ago. Gov. Steve Beshear has promised to support an interest cap. So should the House and Senate.
Bring transparency to child abuse deaths. The legislature should mandate the opening of records related to state investigations of child abuse and neglect when a child dies — not to punish or embarrass child protection workers who might have made a mistake but to learn how to make the system stronger.
Cover smoking cessation under Medicaid. OK, this would cost money, but only $1.5 million a year and the long-term savings from reducing smoking-related disease and its costs would pay for the up-front expenditure many times over.
Raise the school dropout age from 16 to 18. This would cost some money too — about $15 million a year to educate kids who are now dropping out — but again the long-term savings to society would be worth it.
Modernize environmental permitting fees. This would save money for taxpayers who now subsidize polluting industries. Kentucky should bring its fees in line with other states where fees cover much more of the actual permitting costs.
Strengthen animal cruelty laws. A national comparison found that Kentucky had the weakest, making us the best state to be an animal abuser. Not a distinction we need or want.
Open up elections to more Kentuckians. There are a bunch of ways to bring more people into the electoral process: Longer, more flexible hours for voting; opening primaries to registered Independents; a constitutional amendment restoring felon voting rights, to name a few.
Also, Kentucky's campaign finance system is overdue for a tune-up to provide voters with more timely information about contributions and spending.
Reform the penal code. Repeat offender laws have filled Kentucky's prisons with people who pose a low risk to society but cost a fortune to lock up. A panel of lawmakers has studied the problem; it's time to act. This would save lots of money over time while also advancing justice.
Allow local-option elections for state parks. Voters in dry districts should be given the chance to let state park restaurants serve alcohol as a way to boost tourism.
The best things in life may be free, but there's nothing like do-re-me for greasing the wheels of the legislature.
Money to build roads, schools, community centers and fund lawmakers' pet projects is the currency of exchange for difficult votes.
Like many Kentuckians, state government is running short on cash as high unemployment resists the good news from Wall Street. Gov. Steve Beshear and lawmakers will be cutting state services, not pumping money into new programs or projects, this session.
Despite all that, lawmakers can accomplish quite a bit at modest or no cost. In the make-do-with-less spirit of the times, we offer these good, but cheap, ideas for the legislature:
Extend domestic violence protections to dating partners. Amanda's Law will be a hollow victory if a class of victims is denied its protection. Kentucky is in a minority of states where domestic violence victims cannot get protective orders unless they have been married to or lived with their abuser. House Bill 30 would right this wrong.
Outlaw texting while driving. Several studies have shown that text messaging behind the wheel impairs a driver more than being drunk. A law won't wipe out this reckless practice. But it would keep some drivers' minds on the road, and that could save lives.
Cap payday loans at 36 percent interest. The laws against usury date back to ancient times, but somehow the short-term lending industry got the legislature to roll back common decency a few years ago. Gov. Steve Beshear has promised to support an interest cap. So should the House and Senate.
Bring transparency to child abuse deaths. The legislature should mandate the opening of records related to state investigations of child abuse and neglect when a child dies — not to punish or embarrass child protection workers who might have made a mistake but to learn how to make the system stronger.
Cover smoking cessation under Medicaid. OK, this would cost money, but only $1.5 million a year and the long-term savings from reducing smoking-related disease and its costs would pay for the up-front expenditure many times over.
Raise the school dropout age from 16 to 18. This would cost some money too — about $15 million a year to educate kids who are now dropping out — but again the long-term savings to society would be worth it.
Modernize environmental permitting fees. This would save money for taxpayers who now subsidize polluting industries. Kentucky should bring its fees in line with other states where fees cover much more of the actual permitting costs.
Strengthen animal cruelty laws. A national comparison found that Kentucky had the weakest, making us the best state to be an animal abuser. Not a distinction we need or want.
Open up elections to more Kentuckians. There are a bunch of ways to bring more people into the electoral process: Longer, more flexible hours for voting; opening primaries to registered Independents; a constitutional amendment restoring felon voting rights, to name a few.
Also, Kentucky's campaign finance system is overdue for a tune-up to provide voters with more timely information about contributions and spending.
Reform the penal code. Repeat offender laws have filled Kentucky's prisons with people who pose a low risk to society but cost a fortune to lock up. A panel of lawmakers has studied the problem; it's time to act. This would save lots of money over time while also advancing justice.
Allow local-option elections for state parks. Voters in dry districts should be given the chance to let state park restaurants serve alcohol as a way to boost tourism.
Labels: News reporting
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 7:17 PM
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