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SubscribeYesterday, on behalf of Gov. Matt Bevin, Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton joined Department for Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Sandy Dunahoo in a Capitol rotunda ceremony to announce over $5.7 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for 13 new projects in Kentucky. These grants impact multiple regions and counties across the Commonwealth.
“We are excited to announce 13 new Community Development Block Grant projects. Each project is designed to aid critical infrastructure needs across the Commonwealth, such as water safety, public facilities and local health resources,” said Gov. Bevin. “These block grants will not only have a significant impact on improving quality of life for Kentuckians, but will create economic opportunity and jobs as well. Great things happen when we work together.”
“It has been a true joy over the last year visiting different communities in Kentucky and hearing their stories,” said Lt. Gov. Hampton. “These grants have created wonderful opportunities for communities across the Commonwealth in terms of economic development, tourism, education, the environment, and more.”
“I’m pleased by the governor’s announcement of these projects to help address many of the community challenges and infrastructure needs facing Kentucky,” said DLG Commissioner Dunahoo. “We are always looking at ways to coordinate our efforts with local regions for community projects and economic development. This grant assistance does that in a big way.”
The 13 projects include:
- Hawesville WWTP in Hancock Co., $800,000.
- Cumberland Hope Community in Harlan Co., $220,000.
- Hickory Hill Recovery Center for Men (Recovery Kentucky) in Knott Co., $220,000.
- Madison Co. God’s Outreach Food Bank Expansion Project in Madison Co., $300,000.
- Gamiliel City Hall and Community Ctr Architectural Barrier Removal Project in Monroe Co., $85,000.
- Centertown Water Tank Project in Ohio Co., $403,000.
- Hartford Water System Capital Improvements Project in Ohio Co., $896,250.
- Apple Patch Education Adult Day Program Relocation Project in Oldham Co., $405,000.
- Mt. Olivet Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation and Expansion in Robertson Co., $634,500.
- Morehead Inspiration Ctr (Recovery Kentucky) in Rowan Co., $220,000.
- Fritz Winter Rail Spur Development in Simpson Co., $997,000.
- Todd County Health Department Expansion Project in Todd Co., $500,000.
- Guthrie Koppers Natural Gas Line Project in Todd Co., $100,000.
The CDBG program provides assistance to communities for use in revitalizing neighborhoods, expanding affordable housing and economic opportunities, providing infrastructure and/or improving community facilities and services.
Applications for CDBG funds are also submitted to DLG. To learn more, visit https://kydlgweb.ky.gov/FederalGrants/CDBG_cities.cfm.
Attorney General Andy Beshear announced the launch of a statewide competition that challenges Kentucky’s legal community to donate food and funds to aid Kentucky families and children suffering from hunger.
Beshear announced the Legal Food Frenzy campaign at the Capitol Rotunda as part of the Kentucky Association of Food Banks (KAFB) Rally to Solve Hunger.
The competition is a collaborative effort among the Office of the Attorney General, KAFB, Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Office of the Secretary of State.
Beshear said his office and partner organizations launched the campaign to help address the lack of access to enough food that nearly one in six adults and one in five children in Kentucky face.
“My first priority is to protect Kentucky families and children, and each day far too many are struggling to obtain enough food for a healthy, active life,” said Beshear. “The Legal Food Frenzy is an opportunity for the state’s legal community to challenge each other outside the courtroom for the noble cause of reducing hunger.”
Rebecca Schafer, chair of Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division said the goals of the campaign are to raise 600,000 pounds of food or $150,000 from March 27 to April 7, 2017.
“We are excited to partner with so many great organizations to provide the first statewide hunger relief effort by Kentucky’s legal community,” said Schafer. “The campaign, with the support of attorneys across the Commonwealth, will help bring Kentucky one step closer to ensuring that all of its citizens have access to adequate food.”
Every $1 donated through the competition will return $8 or more in food to the community. Kentucky law firms, law schools and legal organizations are encouraged to sign-up online.
Proceeds and goods generated from the competition will directly aid the members of the KAFB – an organization that distributes over 50 million meals to 1 in 7 Kentuckians annually in partnership with a network of 800 local charitable feeding organizations. Its members serve all 120 counties in Kentucky.
Tamara Sandberg, executive director of KAFB, hosted the rally and said this campaign will help food banks prepare for the increase demand for food assistance during the summer months.
“Only one in 13 school-aged children who receive free and reduced-priced lunch during the school year have access to such meals during the summer months,” said Sandberg. “We are grateful to Kentucky’s legal community for taking action against hunger and helping the food banks go into summer strong and well-stocked to meet the increased demand for food among families with school-aged children.”
The organization or firm that raises the most food and funds will win the Attorney General’s Cup, signifying their accomplishment in aiding hunger-relief in Kentucky.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Kentucky Bar Association Board of Governors and Kentucky Supreme Court Justices also attended today’s event to support the Legal Food Frenzy and rally.
The Rally to Solve Hunger also included remarks from Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles; Mark Barker, Farm Credit mid-America; Kurt Reiber, chair of the Kentucky Association of Food Banks; and Debbie Fannin with Grayson County Alliance Food Pantry.
To learn more about the Legal Food Frenzy and view a complete list of competition rules and award categories, visit http://kyfoodfrenzy.com.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Tuesday urged lawmakers to renew a Kentucky law that provides tax incentives to Kentucky farmers who donate to food banks. Grimes was a prominent backer of legislation creating the incentives.
“Kentucky farmers grow some of the best agricultural products in the country and the world,” said Grimes. “And knowing that as many as one in six Kentuckians is impacted by lack of food, the Farms to Food Banks tax credits for farmers who donate to Kentucky food banks are more important than ever. We should not only renew the credits, but increase their value.”
Grimes is joining Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles in lobbying the legislature for the renewal of the tax credits that House Bill 141 created in 2013. The Kentucky Nonprofit Network recognized Grimes for her work on the legislation last year.
Joining other Kentucky constitutional officers and legislators, Grimes also announced at the rally that her office will launch a Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl food drive this fall. The drive will be held amongst Kentucky businesses and community organizations to help food banks at an important time of need – just before the holidays.
“One in four Kentucky children don’t always know where their next meal will come from,” said Grimes. “We have to do better. That’s why I will be calling on the more than 200,000 businesses that make up the Commonwealth’s business community to help us feed the children and their families this holiday season.”
Grimes is partnering with the Kentucky Association of Food Banks, which hosted Tuesday’s rally, for the bowl. She is challenging local chambers of commerce to participate by coordinating donations with their members.
Grimes has been a champion for solving Kentucky’s hunger issues since she took office in 2012 and before she was elected to public office. She is a longtime volunteer at the Salvation Army, serving the Thanksgiving meal at her local service center every year. She also has served on the board of God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington.
At the rally, Grimes thanked the farmers who participate in the tax credit program and Kentucky’s food banks for their tireless work to help eradicate hunger and food insecurity in the Commonwealth.
“Scripture calls us to help feed those who are hungry. Every Kentuckian that doesn’t worry about when they will eat their next meal or how they will feed their family has a role to play in ensuring no other citizen of this Commonwealth has those worries,” said Grimes.
Kentucky Justice Secretary John Tilley announced this week that every law enforcement agency certified through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund has met new requirements on sexual assault policies – a key turning point in addressing the backlog of rape evidence kits.
The policies were mandated under Senate Bill 63 – known as the SAFE Act – which passed in the 2016 General Assembly. It required all agencies that participate in the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund to adopt a sexual assault response policy by Jan. 1. That includes nearly every law enforcement agency in the state.
Thanks to proactive support from the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT), every certified agency has met the deadline with time to spare.
“The survivors of sexual assault should never have to endure the uncertainty of another backlog,” Secretary Tilley said. “I’m proud that the Department of Criminal Justice Training and Kentucky’s law enforcement agencies are setting a high new standard on handling evidence kits and helping survivors find justice. DOCJT’s effort to help facilitate these polices has been outstanding.”
The new policies will guide collection and transport of evidence kits. They will also govern the process for notifying victims when test results become available.
Last year, DOCJT was tasked with collecting and reviewing each agency’s policy to assist with meeting the deadline. Instead of waiting for agencies to submit acceptable policies, DOCJT took an active role in helping agencies become compliant under the new law.
“I am exceedingly proud of our staff, who met this responsibility with the professionalism and diligence this important issue deserved,” said DOCJT Commissioner Mark Filburn. “The nearly-impossible feat of assisting every law enforcement agency across the commonwealth with meeting such a tight deadline – and succeeding – is just another example of how committed the DOCJT staff is to our clients.”
A Sexual Assault Response Team Advisory Committee, also established under SB 63, finalized a model policy on Oct. 19. With less than 3 months to meet the deadline, DOCJT worked fast to send the model to every law enforcement agency along with instructions on how to adopt and submit their own approved policies.
The committee’s model policy and two other models were added to the DOCJT website along with details of the new requirements and helpful resources. A dedicated phone line and email address were established for law enforcement executives to ask questions and receive immediate assistance. Staff members made personal presentations to multiple DOCJT classes and meetings of law enforcement executives to assist them further with this process.
Between Oct. 19 and Dec. 31, DOCJT staff collected all the submitted policies, which the department’s legal and executive staff then reviewed and approved.
“SB 63 was passed to improve the criminal justice response to victims of sexual assault,” said Eileen Recktenwald, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. “Now that law enforcement agencies in Kentucky have policies in place that ensure a trauma-informed approach to the investigation of this crime, it could mean that lifelong consequences for the victim can be decreased and it increases the possibility that more cases are cleared and successfully prosecuted, making Kentucky a safer place to live.”
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office’s Chief Examiner, Jeff Prewitt, lauded DOCJT’s efforts to assist local agencies with meeting this new requirement.
“Instead of demanding compliance in an autocratic way, DOCJT facilitated compliance in a participatory and collegial way,” Prewitt said. “How refreshing!”
DOCJT Assistant General Counsel Deaidra Douglas said the department serves more than 400 law enforcement agencies across the commonwealth.
“In less than three months, every KLEFPF agency submitted their policy for review and met the deadline,” Douglas said. “From the cooperation we received across the state to the flawless communication with all the involved DOCJT staff, it was an exceptional team effort.”
SB 63 succeeded in the 2016 General Assembly thanks to Sen. Denise Harper Angel and Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield, who both played a crucial role in the final legislation. The legislature also supported a request from Gov. Matt Bevin to allocate $4.5 million toward reducing the backlog. That money will provide much-needed staffing and resources for the Kentucky State Police crime lab.
The next stage in meeting SB63’s new mandates will focus on training requirements for responding to sexual assault. DOCJT’s 2017 training schedule includes a new 40-hour course, which will be taught 19 times this year, both at the DOCJT Richmond campus and regionally across the state.
Flanked by more than a dozen state legislators and an overflow crowd filling three levels of the Capitol rotunda, Gov. Matt Bevin today ceremonially signed two historic pro-life measures during the Kentucky Right to Life Association’s “Rally for Life.”
Gov. Bevin commemorated the recently enacted Senate Bill 5 and House Bill 2, which both passed with broad bipartisan support in the first week of this year’s General Assembly.
He applauded legislators for their unwavering commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of society and noted that despite political controversy, “the sanctity of human life is worth fighting for.”
“We have a chance to lead this nation from a moral and spiritual perspective that is desperately needed,” said Gov. Bevin. “We must continue to fight this scourge that is the taking of innocent life. It’s worth it, America is worth it, and Kentucky is going to lead the way.”
Senate Bill 5 prohibits physicians from terminating pregnancies after 20 weeks of gestation—a timeframe in which experts say that a fetus can feel pain. House Bill 2 requires physicians to offer an ultrasound to patients prior to performing an abortion, allowing women to make a truly informed medical decision. (Patients may choose not to have the ultrasound by signing a form to opt out.)
“Kentucky citizens elected the members of the General Assembly to pass responsible legislation that falls in line with Kentucky values,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “Senate Bill 5, along with House Bill 2, protects the integrity and intrinsic value of human life. It is our duty as elected leaders to protect our most vulnerable, and we have made steps towards accomplishing that goal by passing this momentous legislation.”
“Studies have shown over and over that unborn children at 20 weeks of gestation are sensitive to pain,” said Sen. Brandon Smith, primary sponsor of Senate Bill 5. “The Pain Capable Unborn Child Act offers one more protection to those who cannot protect themselves. Kentuckians value the sanctity of life, and I am proud that we in the Kentucky Senate are committed to safeguarding the lives of all our citizens.”
“This session, common sense legislation to protect life and provide women with appropriate medical information has passed the Kentucky General Assembly,” said Rep. Addia Wuchner, chair of the House Health and Family Services Committee. “Just like our passage of an informed consent bill last session, this bill demonstrates a further commitment from the House to providing women with all of the medical information available before undergoing an abortion.”
Since taking office, Gov. Bevin has signed three important pieces of pro-life legislation into law. In addition to this year’s measures, he signed Senate Bill 4 (“informed consent”) in 2016, requiring medical personnel to provide face-to-face consultation to women 24 hours before an abortion is performed.
The Council on Postsecondary Education elected Sherrill Zimmerman as its new chair and Ben Brandstetter as vice chair Friday.
Zimmerman, of Prospect, chairs both the Council’s Tuition Development Work Group and Committee on Equal Opportunities, and is the past chair of the Strategic Agenda Work Group. She is a retired educator from Jefferson County Public Schools where she served as a teacher, assistant principal and magnet program coordinator.
“It will be an honor and a privilege to serve as chair of the Council on Postsecondary Education,” said Zimmerman. “I look forward to working with our students, campuses, Council members and staff to advance the educational, workforce and economic opportunities for all Kentuckians.”
Brandstetter, of Hebron, joined the Council in September. He is president of Brandstetter Carroll, Inc.
“It is a privilege to serve the Commonwealth in this role. Higher education is one of the most important tools that we have to improve the economy of the state, and I look forward to helping advance this for everyone,” said Brandstetter.
Zimmerman replaces outgoing member Glenn Denton of Paducah, who served two terms on the Council and chaired the Council in 2015 and 2016. Brandstetter replaces Donna Moore of Lexington who remains on the Council.
Zimmerman and Brandstetter will serve in their positions for the next year.
The Council also approved the Tuition Setting Timeline and the Tuition and Mandatory Fee Policy. The timeline calls for the Council to take action on tuition and fee ceilings March 31, followed by action on individual campus tuition and mandatory fee rates at the June 16 meeting.
In other items, the Council:
- Updated the Academic Program Approval Policy, which takes effect July 1.
- Approved a proposed amendment to Kentucky Administrative Regulation 13 KAR 2:110 regarding the approval process for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at the public comprehensive universities.
- Heard the following reports: Student Loan Default and Repayment in Kentucky, Future Skills Report, a proposal from Morehead State University related to tuition, legislative update, Committee on Equal Opportunities and an Executive Committee report. A KDE Report, Council President Report and campus reports were also available.
The Council’s next meeting will be March 30-31 at Northern Kentucky University.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Kentucky Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced today. The award recognizes teachers, school administrators, legislators and community leaders who have made significant contributions toward promoting civic learning to teach students the importance of being engaged citizens.
“The young Kentuckians I meet every day give me hope that our Commonwealth will have a bright future,” said Grimes. “In my life, I was privileged to have mentors who inspired me to serve and be engaged – just like these young people. The Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award is a way to recognize those people who dedicate their time, energy, and are committed to the success of Kentucky’s youth, our future leaders.”
The award winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize to be used to further his or her civic learning initiatives. One finalist will be selected from each Kentucky High School Athletic Association region and each will receive a $250 award. The award winner and the finalists will be recognized during the KHSAA Boy’s Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament in Lexington.
Corey Yates, an educator at Elizabethtown High School, received the 2016 Kentucky Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award. Yates leads his students in civic learning initiatives such as presenting community improvement proposals to the city council, mock trial, and a learning experience on the penal code at a local detention center. He received a $1,000 award to be used for resources and equipment to continue his efforts.
The Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award is part of Grimes’ continued efforts to improve civic engagement in Kentucky. She recently released the findings of the 2016 Kentucky Civic Health Index, the second installment of the report during her tenure. Now, Grimes is traveling across Kentucky stressing the need for increased engagement, bridging participation gaps, and restoring trust in public institutions such as government and media, which the Index shows as areas for improvement.
Application/Nomination forms and additional information about the award are available online. The Office of the Secretary of State sponsors this award with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Kentucky Department of Education.
The deadline for nominations and submissions is March 3.
