February 18, 2011

Senate Bill 26: Identification Cards

Good news!!!  After seven years of lobbying for the reduction of fees for identification cards for homeless persons the bill has passed the committee with all members voting YES!!!  The bill reduces the fee from $12 to $4 for someone who does not have a fixed, permanent address.  The overall budget remains the same for the state, because the id will have to be renewed every year instead of every four years.  This has been a great achievement.  Now people who have had difficulties in obtaining their id to accomplish their goals of continuing to seek employment, search for housing, accessing benefits, opening a bank account, or availing one’s self of court services may now move forward. 

The bill was heard this morning in the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Tom Jensen.  During the hearing three statements were provided to the member from both urban and rural shelters.  The bill will be placed on the Senate’s consent calendar.  Senate Bill 26 may be voted on by the Senate as early as Friday or Monday.  Good work everyone!!! 

House Bill 182: Cap of 36% on Payday Loans

This bill was introduced to force payday lenders to place a cap of 36% on loans provided.  Many people in our communities utilized the services of payday lenders to cover costs for basic needs such as food and housing.  These companies have been preying on people making loans that its costumers can’t afford.  A bill was created to prevent lenders from rolling over loans, and created an electronic database that gathered information pertaining to loans that were given.  The information that was obtained from the database, from May thru September, showed that 83% of the loan industry’s revenue was generated by borrowers who took out five or more loans.  Generally borrowers would pay off the short-term loan, but would then borrow more loans to cover costs of their housing expenses.  By continuously taking out loans it would generate 400% annual interest. 

On February 16 there was a hearing about House Bill 182, but unfortunately it did not pass.  The Housing and Homeless Coalition of Kentucky (HHCK) and the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Lending (KCRL) will continue its efforts in getting this bill passed in the future.

House Bill 239: Clean Energy Bill  

The Housing and Homeless Coalition of Kentucky (HHCK) and the Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance (KySEA) are continuing to support the on-going effort to change the way we consume energy resources in our state.  The bill was introduced by Representative Mary Lou Marzian.  The bill would implement two new policies: a Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) and feed-in tariffs (FITs), which support clean energy production.  Some utilities in the state would be required to meet specified energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, and would have to meet at least 10% of the energy efficiency goal through programs that assist low-income households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

 The bill would save Kentucky families money and create thousands of clean energy jobs.  The bill would create wind and solar manufacturing jobs, reduce utility costs, and protect the health of our residents.  Kentucky lost over 3.5 million in contracts to out of state companies for solar installations done in Kentucky.  In Kentucky electricity rates for the average household has risen 41% over the last 5 years.  By implementing renewable energy sources in our communities it would reduce pollution which is the leading cause of asthma attacks, cardiac arrest, cancer, and delayed mental development.

In the hearing held on Thursday February 10, two legislators, Tom Burch and Tom Riner, agreed to co-sponsor the bill.  The bill was assigned to the House Tourism Development and Energy committee where it will hopefully have a hearing later this month.

I Love Mountain’s Day!!      In Kentucky alone, over 290 mountains have been destroyed by mountaintop removal, and more than 2,000 miles of headwater streams have been buried and polluted in Appalachia.  This has not only caused problems to the land, forests and streams in Kentucky and several other states, including West Virginia, but it has also caused health concerns for its residents.

I Love Mountain’s Day was a huge success.  The event started off on Friday, February 11, with about 14 supporters having a ‘sit-in’ at Governor Beshear’s office.  Among the group of supporters were native and author Wendell Berry.  The group demonstrated opposition to the governor’s administration in support of their decision to partner with the coal industry and to file a suit that opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts to protect the health and water of coalfield residents. 

The protest continued on Monday, February 14 with a rally that began at the Kentucky River up to the steps of the state capitol.  There were over 1,400 supporters of this bill.  They received support from people across the nation, including support from Germany and Argentina.  Activists are holding Governor Beshear accountable for a pledge he made to travel to Eastern Kentucky within 30 days to personally inspect damages caused by mountaintop removal.

February 11, 2011       

This week’s legislative update cover’s Senate Bill 6, regarding immigration.

Senate bill 6 pertains to immigration and was introduced at the beginning of this legislative session.  If the bill is passed it will permit police officers to question people about their immigration status on the basis of “reasonable suspicion.”  The bill would also cost the state of Kentucky around $40 million per year.  Other concerns that have been addressed are the impacts that this bill would have on citizens and agencies who provide a service to immigrants, or who transport immigrants, creating and maintaining the database needed to sufficiently track documentation, and the impact that it would have on our prison system and social service agencies.

Allowing police officers to use “reasonable suspicion” to question immigrants about their status may lead to racial profiling because there is no clear protocol for questioning them.  Senate bill 6, if passed, would create legal concerns for immigrants as well as legal citizens.  If someone transports an immigrant to obtain papers, the individual risks having their car impounded, and may also face legal charges.  There is much concern about the cost of passing this bill because the police officers would need to be properly trained, the database would have to be created and updated regularly, the cost of transportation to facilities, litigation, and a number of other things.

On Tuesday, February 8, many of us, with local ally groups, went to lobby/rally in opposition of this bill.  Over 500 people showed to encourage representatives to oppose the bill.  Several people spoke out against the bill, including Rep. Reginald Meeks, Rep. Perry Clark, and Mayor Greg Fischer.  There is also a possibility that this bill may be amended to attach House Bill 3.  House Bill 3 would hold businesses accountable for the hiring of illegal immigrants.  It suggests that each business use a system called E-Verify to ensure the status of those hired.  If companies hire unauthorized aliens there is a penalty.  Some people are calling this the “civil rights movement” of our time.

To find out more about the bills visit www.lrc.org or www.kybillwatch.org for a more detailed description of the bills. 

February 4, 2011

My name is Natalie Radtke. I am a student at the University of Louisville, interning here at The Coalition for the Homeless.  As a part of my learning experience I am getting involved with the advocacy portion of The Coalition’s mission by learning about various bills that are being introduced.  I have been attending meetings and going to Frankfort to learn more about efforts made to lobby for/against bills that are introduced.  Each week during this six week legislative session I will send updated information pertaining to various bills which include:

Senate Bill 1 pertaining to tax reform

Senate Bill 6 regarding immigration

Senate Bill 26 pertaining to identification cards

House Bill 239 the Clean Energy bill

House Bill 182 supporting a cap on Pay Day Lending

The Coalition’s mission is to advocate for people who are homeless and for the prevention and elimination of homelessness.  To achieve this mission it is important that we educate not only ourselves but also members of the community about issues that arise.  By doing so it enables others to be aware of what is going on and how to get involved.  It is our right to speak up about issues that affect us.  If we don’t speak up for ourselves we miss an opportunity to have our voices heard and to create change.

If you are interested in getting involved there are several rallies and lobbying efforts going on this month.  If you are unable to attend there are several groups that are in Frankfort throughout the week if you want to go on your own, but still have the support of the community.  Following are dates (subject to change so check first) for lobbying efforts being made during the legislative session:

February 3        Senate Bill 1                  Economic Justice

February 8        Senate Bill 6                  Immigration Rights

February 10      House Bill 239               Clean Energy

February 14      I Love Mountains Day     Lobby and Rally

February 16      House Bill 182               Pay Day Lending

February 16      Senate Bill 26                Reduced cost ID’s for homeless

February 24      House Bill 70                 Restoration of Voting Rights

If you have any questions regarding lobbying efforts I am in the office Monday-Wednesday. Or you may contact Becki Winchel for further information.