LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

by State Representative Ron Crimm

(Editor's note:  This is a notice that Rep. Crimm sent to his constituents, which we are reprinting with permission.  If other elected officials or candidates want to share information through Jefferson Review, please e-mail Editor@JeffersonReview.com)

Important issues abound for 2002 Session of Kentucky General Assembly

On Tuesday, January 8, the 2002 General Assembly will convene in Frankfort and begin taking action on issues that will determine our state's future. In even-numbered years, sessions may not last more than 60 legislative days, and must end by April 15. A legislative day basically excludes Sundays, legal holidays, and any day on which neither the House nor Senate meets.

As a member of the Banking and Insurance, Licensing and Occupation and Local Government interim committees, I have spent the months between last year's legislative session and this one studying the issues that we will face.

One of those issues is redistricting. At face value, redistricting appears to be a mind-numbing administrative task without the weight and importance of other issues like health care, taxes and state spending in areas like education. However, the fact is that redistricting basically boils down to a question of equality. While no one has cried "taxation without
representation," our population must be divided as equally as possible to ensure that each individual has equal representation. Redistricting is the constitutionally required process designed to do just that.

According to the 2000 Census, Kentucky's population has grown nearly 10 percent over the past decade. The state's current population of over 4
million men and women, that means that an ideal House District (there are 100 House Districts) would be comprised of approximately 40,418 people and the ideal Senate District (there are 38 Senate Districts) would contain approximately 106,362 people. Each elected office must represent a
comparatively equivalent number of constituents.

By ensuring that one person equals one vote, redistricting has a severe impact on the other issues. One of those issues is the feasibility of introducing video lottery terminals to racetracks throughout the state. The growth of legalized gambling in neighboring states, Mare Loss Reproductive Syndrome and other factors have each taken their toll on the once booming industry and now the industry is looking for ways to bolster themselves. While most of us automatically think of Keeneland, Churchill Downs and the multimillionaires who represent the glamorous aspect of the horse industry, there are other more anonymous faces that have felt the chilling effects to an even greater extent. They are the small businessmen who run small breeding and blood stock operations, the men and women who work the backside and turf catering, and the retailers who cater to the industry. While many of us in the legislature are vehemently opposed to any legalized gambling, we are going to have to take a close look at several alternatives, including the possibility of extending tax incentives.

In addition to the possibility of tax incentives to the horse industry, I hope we will also tackle meaningful tax reform in other areas - including our income tax and property taxes. Our tax code is a patchwork quilt that has evolved in the decades since our last serious reforms and at its best is inequitable. Take for example the fact that Kentucky retailers must assess a 6 percent sales tax, while Internet transactions are exempt. While those standing in line at the virtual register may be thrilled about it, the fact
is it may actually drive up the prices that Kentuckians pay at their local stores. It certainly provides food for thought.

Another issue that looms large is the state's budget. Every two years we set out to finalize the massive endeavor and this year promises to be more daunting than previously thought. While we saw an increase in last fiscal year's revenue, it came in well below predictions made by state economists. While it seems evident that the governor will choose to use this as a springboard for a tax increase, I believe we need to take a much needed look at state spending to see how efficiently our current expenditures are being used. One area that may see cuts are state contracts to pay for services that state employees could and should perform. The Executive Branch has wasted millions of dollars this way and the procedure cannot be allowed to go on.

I hope you will feel free to contact me over the next few weeks regarding these issues. Please continue to call or write me and share your opinion on this or other issues. I can be reached here anytime, or call the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. E-mail me at repcrimm@roncrimm.net
<mailto:repcrimm@roncrimm.net> .

In addition to the message line, the General Assembly offers several other toll-free lines to help you keep up with the session. A taped message
containing information on legislative committee meeting schedules is available by calling 1-800-896-5225. Information on the status of each bill
lawmakers consider will be available on the Bill Status Line, 1-888-829-0021. Those with hearing impairments may leave messages for me by calling the TTY Message Line at 1-800-896-0305. If you have internet access you can keep track through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us.