FRANKFORT, KY (AP) – The Kentucky House passed House Concurrent Resolution 7 on Thursday urging the United States Congress to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset Provision and protect benefits for Kentucky’s teachers. Introduced by Representative Kenny Imes of Murray, the provision reduces public employees’ Social Security spousal or survival benefits by up to two-thirds of their public pension. Imes said that nine out of every ten public employees affected by the provision lose their entire spousal benefit, even though their spouse paid into Social Security for their entire career. Imes added that the amounts lost due to this offset provision can make the difference between self-sufficiency and poverty, and these individuals should not be denied these earned benefits. Kentucky is one of 15 states most impacted by the Government Pension Offset Provision. It will now be sent directly to the President of the United States and the members of the Kentucky Congressional Delegation.
The Kentucky Senate passed House Bill 174 on Thursday. State Representative Richard Heath of Mayfield sponsored the bill which aims to relieve burdensome transportation laws on the agriculture industry, including certain meats, agricultural crop products, or livestock. HB 174 would extend the weight tolerance for these exclusive vehicles by 10 percent on state highways. The House passed the legislation last week, 81-13. Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles applauded Heath’s work to get the legislation through both the House and Senate. The bill now moves to Governor Bevin, who is expected to sign the legislation into law.
Kentucky’s public schools would have to offer a course about Bible history and require students to pass a civics test before graduating under a pair of proposals that are advancing in the state Senate. The Senate Education Committee voted overwhelmingly to approve Senate Bills 138 and 159 on Thursday. Senate Bill 159 would require students to pass a civics test before graduating. It would be the same test immigrants must pass before becoming U.S. citizens. Senate Bill 138 would require schools to offer an elective social studies course on the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Democratic Sen. Robin Webb said the Bible is critical to understanding the culture and history of the United States. The Kentucky Council of Churches and the ACLU oppose the bill, saying it hurts religious freedom.
Disabled parking placards have proliferated across Kentucky, and a state lawmaker says it’s time to crack down on abuses in issuing the decals. A bill that would limit an applicant to one parking placard was passed by the state Senate on a 35-0 vote Thursday. The measure goes to the House. Sen. Ernie Harris, the bill’s sponsor, says the goal is to ensure only those in need receive placards so they can park as close as possible to where they’re going. The bill would create a more stringent process to obtain the placards. Harris says that in 2008, 32,629 placards were issued statewide. By 2016, nearly 294,000 were issued. The bill would establish a $10 fee for initial or renewal placards.