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Post by Kentucky News on Jun 25, 2013 19:25:30 GMT -5
Steve Beshear, Barack H. Obama
Obama cuts 10,000 military positions in Kentucky the same day he vows to shut down coal fired power plants Commonwealth News Center press release
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear “I am deeply disappointed by the news of the Department of Defense’s planned inactivation of the Third Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division currently located at Ft. Knox. This decision will likely remove nearly 10,000 military employees and dependents from the area, which will have a profound economic impact not only on Ft. Knox, but the surrounding region as well.
While I understand that the Departments of the Army and Defense must adjust to the current budget realities, this decision seems to focus on shorter term savings at the expense of longer term readiness. Fort Knox is a proven, premier location to station, train and deploy an Infantry Brigade Combat Team. We are surprised by the Army’s decision to inactivate this well-positioned brigade, particularly because DOD has invested more than $500 million in military construction to support the brigade and provide quality of life for soldiers and families since locating the brigade here in 2009.
Because of the sizable infrastructure already in place, as well as Ft. Knox’s central location and proven capacity for adaptation, I call on the DOD to consider Ft. Knox as it considers future savings and efficiency measures.
Building joint capabilities in the areas of recruiting and human resources is an obvious avenue to efficiency. Fort Knox is a vital component in the Army’s portfolio of installations, and clearly, the functions there must be leveraged to the fullest extent possible.
Kentucky will always act decisively in support of our military. The Commonwealth continues to stand ready to assist and partner with DOD and the Army in solving the complex problems that face us all.”
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 2, 2013 6:45:40 GMT -5
Department of Corrections Launches New Enhancements to Kentucky Offender Online Lookup System Commonwealth News Center press release
The state Department of Corrections has launched a newly enhanced version of the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) system. House Bill 463, the criminal justice reform legislation passed in 2011, called for the enhancements and set an implementation date of July 1, 2013. Over the past year, the department has diligently been working to overhaul the system. KOOL previously included information such as names of offenders, their crimes, sentence lengths, photographs and parole eligibility dates. Now, the system includes all the previous information plus data on the expected time to serve, good time release date, maximum expiration of sentence date and the historic percentage of time served for similar offenders. KOOL has also been expanded to include not only information on active offenders but also on offenders who are under the supervision of the Division of Probation and Parole (P&P). The new version of KOOL contains a greatly expanded search function. There are approximately 50 different search parameters including such categories as supervision status, county of supervision, release date, current location (facility or P&P district), and current escapees or absconders. Newly-added functions allow users to look up statistics on a particular felony offense to see the average time served for that offense, the approximate cost to incarcerate for that offense and the cost of alternatives to incarceration. There is also a function that allows users to determine the likelihood that the offender will be re-incarcerated. A direct link to VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) has also been added to the KOOL system. This link will allow someone to register for VINE notifications on an offender’s change in status, such as upcoming parole eligibility or release date. The new KOOL system can be accessed at: kool.corrections.ky.gov
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 3, 2013 15:40:47 GMT -5
Beshear to chair Southern Regional Education Board Commonwealth News Center press release
Signaling his commitment to continuing improvements in education for Kentucky and the region, Governor Steve Beshear accepted chairmanship of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). He was elected to lead the 80-member board of governors, legislators and state education leaders as they explore ways to advance the educational performance of students at every level. The board’s annual meeting was held in New Orleans this week. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with other state leaders as we all have the common goal of high achievement for all of our students,” said Gov. Beshear. “As our world is technologically evolving every day, we have the critical responsibility to keep up with new expectations and prepare our students to be competitive on a global level.” Education has been a top priority of the Beshear administration. The governor has repeatedly protected classroom funding by excluding SEEK from cuts through 13 budget reductions. Emphasizing his commitment to improving education and health services for Kentucky’s youngest citizens, Gov. Beshear created the Early Childhood Advisory Council to focus on school readiness standards. He has also supported preschool expansion. Gov. Beshear overhauled Career and Technical Education to unite state efforts to better prepare students for careers in the 21st Century. By merging the state’s Career and Technical Education systems, a new academic emphasis has been placed on career skills. Most recently, the Governor challenged Kentucky’s school districts to adopt the Graduate Kentucky age policy to increase compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18 and promote high school graduation for all students. In 2011, Gov. Beshear was named America’s Greatest Education Governor by the National Education Association. The award recognizes governors for making great strides to improve public schools. SREB works with 16 member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Atlanta, SREB was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislators to help education and government leaders advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region.
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 3, 2013 15:41:33 GMT -5
Kentucky begins ‘Blue Lights Across the Bluegrass’ campaign Commonwealth News Center press release
In an effort to raise awareness of traffic safety laws and encourage safe driving habits, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is partnering with state and local law enforcement on the “Blue Lights Across the Bluegrass” campaign throughout July. “We are concerned with our current highway fatality numbers,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock. “The year started with a reduction, but June ended with a higher number of crashes compared to the same time period last year, and that trend must not continue.” There were 65 fatalities in June 2012 compared to 73 in June 2013. There have been 310 total highway fatalities as of July 1 – 62 fewer than the same time period last year. Half of those killed were not wearing seat belts, 20 percent involved an impaired driver and 70 percent of those killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet. “With the summer travel season, more people are on our roadways, which might explain the slight increase in June,” said KOHS Director Bill Bell. “However, it does not explain why people are not making safe decisions when they get behind the wheel.” Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that seat belts, when worn correctly, reduce the risk of fatalities by 45 percent for front-seat vehicle occupants, and by 60 percent for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants. Also according to NHTSA, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect against and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. “Seat belts clearly save lives, but unfortunately too many motorists still need a tough reminder of our law,” said Hancock. While officers will patrol all roadways in their designated city or county, a special emphasis will be placed on the areas where the majority of crashes have occurred. “Law enforcement will be out in force, citing anyone committing traffic violations,” said Bell. “Whether you drive a car or motorcycle, you must obey the law.” Kentucky’s roadway fatalities increased for the first time in seven years, going from 721 deaths in 2011 to 746 in 2012. More than half of those killed in motor vehicles were not restrained, 20 percent involved an impaired driver and 53 percent were motorcyclists not wearing a helmet.
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 3, 2013 15:42:08 GMT -5
Kentucky Crafted Program seeks new applicants Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting applications through Aug. 15 from craft and visual artists interested in participating in the Kentucky Crafted Program, the only state-supported marketing program for professional artists. The Kentucky Crafted Program is an adjudicated marketing assistance program for painters, photographers, printmakers and craftspeople. "Many artists have found it beneficial for their work to be associated with the Kentucky Crafted brand," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "The Kentucky Crafted Program gives artists the skills to develop their arts businesses into full-time professions." Artists accepted into the Kentucky Crafted Program are eligible to: • Use the Kentucky Crafted logo. • Exhibit at Kentucky Crafted: The Market. • Be included in the arts council's online directory for artists. • Sell work at the Governor's Derby Celebration. • Participate in the Buyers Market of American Craft, a national craft trade show. • Take advantage of cooperative advertising opportunities. "Applications for the program require quite a bit of preparation, so artists who intend to apply should consider starting the process now," said Ed Lawrence, arts marketing director for the arts council. "The program is highly competitive. Artists should pay close attention to the guidelines and follow the application directions closely to put their best foot forward." The deadline to submit an application to be considered for the program is Aug. 15. For more information, visit: 1.usa.gov/KAC_craftedor contact Ed Lawrence at ed.lawrence@ky.gov or 502-564-3757, ext 473. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 3, 2013 15:42:42 GMT -5
State Property Tax Rate Remains Unchanged for 2013 Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Department of Revenue has set the 2013 State Real Property Tax Rate at 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Kentucky Revised Statute 132.020 requires the Department of Revenue to set the real property rate no later than July 1 of each year. This rate is based on the revenue generated from the increase in taxable real property assessments from 2012 to 2013. If the assessment increase is more than four percent after the exclusion of new property added to the tax roll during 2013, then the prior year rate must be reduced. Because the assessment increase for 2013 is estimated at 1.32 percent, the state rate will remain the same as the 2012 rate, 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. All of the revenue generated from the state property tax rate will go into the state’s General Fund.
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 3, 2013 15:43:28 GMT -5
New Kentucky Laws designed to improve benefits, services to veterans, members of military Commonwealth News Center press release
Governor Steve Beshear today ceremonially signed three bills to improve benefits and services to veterans and members of the military. “We can never repay our military men and women for their service and sacrifice,” said Gov. Beshear, “But we can, in fact we must, act where appropriate to lessen the hardship that military service sometimes creates to provide deserving recognition, to support our military installations, and to help our veterans and active service members take advantage of opportunities.”
Bills Declare Kentucky a ‘Purple Heart State’, Add to Purple Heart License Plate House Bill 167 houses several additional measures related to the Commonwealth’s military, veteran and public protection agencies, including declaring Kentucky as a Purple Heart state, allowing Kentucky to officially and formally recognize and honor the prestigious decoration and those Kentuckians who have been wounded or killed in the service of our country by being engaged in combat with an enemy force while protecting our freedom. Sponsors of the measure include: Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, of Lexington; Rep. Tanya Pullin, of South Shore; Rep. Reggie Meeks, of Louisville; and Sen. Dennis Parrett, of Elizabethtown. House Bill 272, sponsored by Rep. Dwight Butler, of Harned, requires the design of the Purple Heart license plates to include a picture of the Purple Heart medal and the words “Combat Wounded.” The design changes take effect during the next replating cycle. The Purple Heart license plate is one of several military veteran license plates available to Kentucky veterans. A total of $5 from the sale of each license plate goes to support the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund.
Bill Supports Economic Development, Updates Code of Military Justice House Bill 167, sponsored by Rep. Bob Damron, of Nicholasville, includes several significant initiatives related to the Department of Military Affairs and the Kentucky National Guard. First, this legislation enhances the Commonwealth’s ability to support growth by our defense-related businesses operating at Lexington's Bluegrass Station. Employment at Bluegrass Station has grown from 600 jobs in 1995 to approximately 2,800 jobs today, with 800 of those jobs created over the past 5 years. This legislation protects tax exempt status for military contractor “built-to-suit” projects on the 700-acre compound, providing for continuing economic growth and stability for Kentuckians. Second, the legislation fully replaced the Kentucky National Guard’s outdated Kentucky Code of Military Justice (KCMJ), created in 1954 and last updated in 1986, with a modern code based on the national Model State Code of Military Justice developed by the National Guard Bureau, modified to comply with the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The new code creates a military justice system that is more easily understood by the soldiers and airmen whom it covers, and provides more consistency throughout military service whether under Title 10 (federal funding/federal control), Title 32 (federal funding/state control) or State Active Duty (state funding/state control) military status. The legislation also codifies an executive reorganization for the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, creating the Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center – a unified hub for law enforcement and military agencies at all levels in the fight against criminal activity and domestic and international terrorism. Additionally, the legislation designates the Kentucky Long Rifle as the official gun of Kentucky.
Bill Supports Veterans’ Program Trust Fund, Expands Medal Eligibility Finally, House Bill 149, sponsored by Rep. Pullin who is chair of the House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee, codifies the intent of the Veterans’ Program Trust Fund, clarifying the role of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) as manager of the Fund. The bill also extends eligibility for the Kentucky Medal for Freedom to members of the armed forces killed in action who are buried in Kentucky on or after July 15, 2008, and who have a surviving spouse, parent or next available family member who is a Kentucky resident. “Some of these changes may seem small, but they mean a great deal to the Kentucky veterans and their families who benefit from them,” said KDVA Commissioner Ken Lucas. “We appreciate always having Gov. Beshear’s full and unwavering support.” “I am proud to have sponsored House Bill 167, but this bill’s numerous measures certainly would not have been possible without the help and hard work of all other legislators who sponsored pieces of legislation that became a part of my bill,” said Rep. Bob Damron, sponsor of HB167. “The measures within HB167 signify Kentucky’s continued dedication to its servicemen and women, veterans and homeland security operations, and I am honored to have been a part of its passage.” “Our servicemen and women devote their lives to ensure our freedom, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart is an organization all Kentuckians value,” said Rep. Dwight Butler. “I am honored to have sponsored HB272 recognizing Combat Wounded Purple Heart veterans in Kentucky with a special commemorative license plate.”
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 17, 2013 15:23:09 GMT -5
Study designed to find out why Medicaid patients perfer the emergency room rather than a doctors office Commonwealth News Center press release
Kentucky has been chosen to collaborate on an ambitious project to design better ways to provide responsible medical care to so-called “super-utilizers” – people who frequently use emergency rooms for regular health care instead of lower-cost alternatives. Gov. Steve Beshear announced today that the National Governors Association has selected Kentucky, along with six other states, to participate in a collaborative effort to design and improve state-level health systems to ensure better provision of coordinated and targeted services for these super-utilizers. “I’m proud Kentucky has been chosen to participate in this important program,” said Gov. Beshear. “Across the nation, an understanding has been growing that we must focus our efforts on providing the best in coordinated care, helping to direct individuals who may be using more expensive, less effective services to more cost-efficient preventive services that provide better health outcomes in the long run. It’s by achieving these outcomes that we will build a healthier future for Kentucky.” Developing or enhancing systems of care for super-utilizers can enable state officials to address rising Medicaid expenditures while improving quality of care and health. Kentucky Medicaid spent more than $219 million on emergency room (ER) use in 2012. In that 12-month span, 4,400 Medicaid recipients used the ER 10 or more times, including a recipient who visited the ER 121 times and another who used 30 different ERs. The Developing State-Level Capacity to Support Super-Utilizers policy academy is designed to assist states in creating the regulatory environment, data systems, workforce, financing structures and stakeholder relationships to support the delivery of high-quality and comprehensive services for super-utilizers. The selected states are Alaska, Colorado, Kentucky, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. “Kentucky has too long lagged behind in health rankings, and now is the time for us to begin truly moving the needle in the right direction,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “By participating in this national effort, we can learn what has worked for other states and share Kentucky’s experiences as well.” A policy academy is a highly interactive, team-based, multi-state process for helping a select number of states develop and implement an action plan to address a complex public policy issue. Participating states receive guidance and technical assistance from NGA staff and faculty experts, as well as consultants from the private sector, research organizations and academia. Funding for the policy academy is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies. To learn more about NGA’s health division, please visit: www.nga.org/cms/center/health
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 25, 2013 5:47:14 GMT -5
Should students have Miranda rights? Commonwealth News Center press release
Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Criminal Appeals have asked the United States Supreme Court to review the Kentucky Supreme Court's decision in the case of N.C. A Child Under Eighteen v. Commonwealth. In the April 25, 2013 decision, the state Supreme Court held that students must be read their Miranda rights when questioned by a school administrator in the presence of a school resource officer when criminal activity might be discovered. The Attorney General's Office sent the Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court on July 23, 2013. In 2009, after a Nelson County High School teacher found a prescription pill bottle for hydrocodone in the boys' bathroom belonging to a student, a juvenile referred to as "N.C.," the school's assistant principal questioned "N.C." about the incident in the presence of the school resource officer. "N.C" told the assistant principal he had given some of the hydrocodone to another student, which resulted in his expulsion from school and charges of possession and distribution of a controlled substance in Nelson County Juvenile Court. On April 25, 2013, the Kentucky Supreme Court reversed two lower court rulings in Nelson District and Circuit Courts holding that N.C. was not in custody for Miranda purposes, and therefore, there was no requirement that he be read his rights. The Kentucky Court of Appeals denied discretionary review of the matter. The Office of the Attorney General is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision for the following reasons: • State appellate courts are divided over this issue. States that hold Miranda warnings are required include Georgia, North Carolina, and now Kentucky. States that hold Miranda warnings are not required include South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, New York, New Mexico, and Louisiana. • The issue presented is recurring and important as the use of law enforcement officers as a resource in the school setting has become widespread over the last 20 years. • The Attorney General's Office maintains that the Kentucky Supreme Court's decision was in error and that school administrators are not required to advise students of their Miranda rights, merely because a school resource officer may be present, when they are investigating school-related issues.
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 25, 2013 5:47:40 GMT -5
Should Congress Amend Federal Law to Fight Prostitution and Child Sex Trafficking? Commonwealth News Center press release
Attorney General Jack Conway today joined a bi-partisan national coalition of 49 Attorneys General calling on Congress to amend the Communications Decency Act to help fight prostitution and child sex trafficking. In a letter to key members of Congress, the Attorneys General advocated that Congress amend the Communications Decency Act to provide criminal jurisdiction to state and local prosecutors. The letter's lead sponsors were the Attorneys General from the states of Missouri, South Dakota and Washington. According to General Conway, the Communications Decency Act of 1996 was drafted when the Internet was in its infancy. The original purpose of the Act was to protect children from accessing indecent material online, but courts have interpreted certain provisions of the Act to provide immunity from state prosecution to online classified ad sites, such as Backpage.com, which promote and profit from human trafficking. Prostitution is a local crime. Absent interstate travel, federal property, or the involvement of a minor, prostitution is not a federal crime. While the Communications Decency Act provides criminal authority to the federal government, the Attorneys General believe that criminal jurisdiction needs to be extended to states to help combat these crimes. "Federal law needs to be brought up to date with changes in technology to provide local prosecutors the tools they need to strike back against those who use technology to promote sexual exploitation of children," General Conway said. Local prosecutors report that prostitution solicitations have largely moved online. Backpage.com, for example, generates an estimated $3 million to $4 million per month in revenue. The NAAG letter can be found here: goo.gl/O0uSNv
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 26, 2013 3:45:16 GMT -5
The ‘unemployment office’ renamed Kentucky Career Center Commonwealth News Center press release
Setting the stage for new opportunities for Kentucky’s businesses and workforce, Governor Steve Beshear today unveiled the Kentucky Career Center, the newly overhauled workforce development system in the Commonwealth. The change signifies the importance of moving away from the perception of the “unemployment office” to a focus on career services for both job seekers and job providers. “We are putting a system in place that will better equip Kentucky’s workforce with the skills required to be relevant in the new economy and will provide our businesses with the top-notch workforce they need,” said Gov. Beshear. The re-branding of the unemployment office to the Kentucky Career Center is part of a larger strategy to modernize the workforce development system. In 2009, Gov. Beshear directed the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) to develop a plan to make the system more globally competitive. The result was WorkSmart Kentucky, the KWIB’s strategic plan to streamline the system to simplify it and build consistency among offices; improve services to the client customers; align education and training to meet the needs of employers; and make adjustments to reflect the state’s education objectives and economic development strategies and goals. Inside the new external name is an internal culture shift, developed with input from business and industry, which reflects a new workforce development system whose services are demand-driven, business-led and solutions-based. Internal changes are occurring by promoting better collaboration among system partners, training for staff across the state and streamlined services in local offices. In addition, a new user-friendly point-of-entry website has been created so that a customer can easily and simply navigate to services offered statewide. Social media has been incorporated to reach more customers. The launch of the Kentucky Career Center is the culmination of more than three years of preparation and work by the KWIB, the Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment and numerous stakeholders and partner agencies in education, workforce and economic development. “To be effective and transformational a brand cannot be just a logo or new name. A brand tells our customers who we are and what we stand for,” said KWIB Chair Ed Holmes. “That’s why we have taken steps through 25 strategic initiatives to assure our system can fulfill the brand promise to provide employers with a qualified, skilled workforce and the people of Kentucky with career, job training and educational opportunities.” Other initiatives such as the state’s commitment to investing public workforce dollars based on sector strategies, tying into industry partnerships as the drivers for curriculum and training priorities, and certifying the quality of a community’s workforce through the WorkReady Communities framework are driving change and interest in talent development at every level of government. These workforce investment improvements have been recognized nationally as a model for other states to better equip workers and serve employers. The launch was held at the new Kentucky Career Center location in Shelbyville. It is one of 75 Kentucky Career Centers located across the state. Each center offers varying degrees of services for both job seekers and job providers. Services for job seekers include career coaching, access to local job openings, job leads and referrals, professional resume services, job search resource centers with free Wi-Fi and Internet access, unemployment insurance claim filing assistance, employment services for military veterans and individuals with special needs, and education and training opportunities. Services for businesses include talent recruitment assistance, candidate pre-screening and assessment, free use of onsite conference space to conduct interviews, coordination of job fairs and hiring events, tax credit incentive programs, free access to Focus Talent, Kentucky’s online job posting portal, and business services representatives available to provide personalized support. To access services of the Kentucky Career Center, go to: kentuckycareercenter.com
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 26, 2013 3:47:26 GMT -5
Prescription overdose deaths down for first time in a decade Commonwealth News Center press release
One year after landmark legislation aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse took effect, Governor Steve Beshear credited the bill with closing non-compliant pain management clinics and reducing the number of prescriptions for heavily-abused controlled substances. Plus, for the first time in a decade, the number of deaths blamed on prescription overdoses has declined. House Bill 1 (HB1), signed into law by Gov. Beshear last spring, included multiple elements to prevent the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs and to enhance law enforcement’s tools to investigate illegal prescribing practices. “A year ago, Kentucky was at a breaking point. Families and communities splintered by prescription drug abuse were crying for help, and HB1 provided key tools to drive out illegal pill mills, curb doctor shopping and decrease unnecessary prescribing,” said Gov. Beshear. “The impact of this bill can’t be measured just in the numbers of pills we’ve kept off the streets. This bill, I believe, has literally saved lives in Kentucky.” “As I have said before, reducing drug abuse is an ever-changing battle, but it’s undeniable that House Bill 1 has saved lives as we look back over the last year,” said House Speaker Greg Stumbo. “I’m proud of the results, and the fact that other states are following our lead. Our goal now is to build on these gains and to improve access to treatment, so that abusers can truly escape this deadly cycle once and for all.” “HB1 was remarkable on two fronts: it was good policy that was developed in a strongly bipartisan manner that significantly reduced drug diversion and improper and illegal use of prescription drugs,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “There is no doubt in my mind that the passage of House Bill 1 saved lives in Kentucky. It’s reversing the downward spiral of prescription drug addiction that’s afflicted this state for more than a decade. For the first time, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Kentucky is below the national average when it comes to prescription drug abuse. Now we need to work together across party lines to help increase funding for treatment,” said Attorney General Jack Conway.
HB1 Impact: Pain Clinics Shut Down One of the major components of HB1 is the requirement that pain management facilities be owned by a licensed medical provider. Since the law was passed, 20 non-physician owned pain management facilities have closed. Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has issued cease and desist letters to another four pain management facilities operating outside the scope of state regulations. “Prescription drug abuse had reached epidemic levels in Kentucky and it was clear more needed to be done to help identify and stop the proliferation of these so-called pill mills,” said CHFS Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “Since the passage of HB1, we’ve seen many facilities voluntarily close and have been able to better identify clinics that should not have been operating in the state of Kentucky. This measure is really making a difference in terms of stamping out prescription drug abuse in our state.”
Prescription overdose deaths down for first time in a decade For the first time in a decade, Kentucky overdose deaths declined in 2012, according to a report issued this week by the Office of Drug Control Policy. Of the 1,004 overdose fatalities in 2012, 888 were found to be unintentional, 59 were suicides and 57 remain undetermined, according to the report. In 2011, there were 1,023 overdose deaths in Kentucky. The data, contained in the 2012 Overdose Fatality Report, was compiled from the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office, the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Council and the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. The report was mandated under a provision in HB1. Alprazolam (Xanax) remained the most-detected controlled substance in overdose deaths, present in 41 percent of all autopsied cases. Morphine was found in 32 percent of autopsies, followed by hydrocodone at 26 percent and oxycodone at 24 percent. “Nineteen fewer families suffered the pain of a preventable death in 2012 as compared to 2011. Hopefully this downward trend will continue as the full impact of HB 1 continues to develop,” said Van Ingram, executive director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. Autopsied overdose deaths attributed to the use of heroin increased 550 percent over the previous year, from 22 in 2011 to 143 cases in 2012.
Thousands of medical providers using prescription tracking system HB1 required prescribers to register with the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system (KASPER), which tracks controlled substances dispensed in Kentucky. In 2011, before HB1, KASPER had 7,545 account holders. Now, more than 24,000 medical providers which are authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are registered KASPER users. Regulations set by the medical professional licensure boards mandate that licensees use the KASPER system before prescribing many controlled substances. As a result, the number of reports requested through KASPER has more than tripled from almost 811,000 in 2011 to nearly 2.7 million in 2012. Each weekday, providers request approximately 17,600 reports. “The more providers use KASPER, the more effective the system becomes,” said CHFS Inspector General Mary Reinle Begley. “We’ve gone from using the monitoring system whenever abuse was suspected, to proactively using the system when a prescription for a controlled substance is going to be issued. Significant changes in prescribing trends have resulted, namely the reduction in the number of some of our most heavily abused substances.”
Big reductions in prescriptions for most-abused drugs After a year of more robust reporting and tracking, KASPER shows that prescribing rates for hydrocodone, oxycodone and alprazolam have decreased, compared to a prior decade of annual increases. Records indicate prescription levels for some controlled substances, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, have declined significantly. For example, from August 2011 to May 2012, 198 million doses of hydrocodone were dispensed in Kentucky. That number declined 9.5 percent during the comparable post-HB1 period of August 2012 to May 2013, dropping to 179 million doses. From August 2011 to May 2012, 72 million doses of oxycodone were dispensed in the state. However, one year later, that number had declined by 10.5 percent to 64 million doses. “Seeing the increase in users and reports requested – coupled with the decline in the amount of controlled substances dispensed – demonstrates how significant HB1 has been,” said Begley.
More Investigations, License Suspensions of Medical Providers HB1 requires that when a complaint about inappropriate prescribing abuse is lodged with any of several investigative agencies – the Attorney General, Kentucky State Police (KSP), CHFS, or any of the professional licensure boards – that complaint must be shared with the remaining agencies. A Memorandum of Understanding between these agencies facilitates the distribution and use of the information for administrative and law enforcement purposes. In 2011, KBML disciplined 53 physicians for prescribing violations. In the last 12 months, KBML has taken 78 disciplinary actions against 64 physicians for prescribing violations. Those actions include 13 emergency orders of license suspension and four emergency restrictions. Another 22 physicians agreed to indefinite restriction of their prescribing authority, and five more surrendered their licenses rather than have them revoked. “Thanks to HB1, our board was able to accelerate its reviews of prescribing complaints and take action against providers who violate proper procedures,” said Dr. Preston Nunnelley, KBML board chair. “The immediate cross-agency investigations help protect patients as well as providers. The Board considers violations involving controlled substances to be very serious, and we will continue to act quickly to protect Kentuckians.”
UK to study HB1’s effectiveness CHFS has contracted with the University of Kentucky to evaluate the effectiveness of HB1. Over the next 12 months, university researchers will review KASPER statistics, surveying providers and other stakeholders, and measuring the impact of the legislation. The goal of the study is to document an evaluation of the impact of the legislation on prescription drug abuse, to develop recommendations that will assist state officials and legislators to improve the effectiveness of the legislation and to mitigate identified unintentional consequences.
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 31, 2013 23:34:59 GMT -5
Beshear ceremonially signs law banning synthetic drugs Commonwealth News Center press release
Governor Steve Beshear ceremonially signed into law House Bill 8, adding new substances to the definitions of banned synthetic drugs and controlled substances. The law, passed during the 2013 legislative session, helps the legal system stay one step ahead of underground chemists who tweak the formulas of prohibited drugs in an attempt to keep them legal. In 2012, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing newly discovered synthetic drugs to be classified as Schedule 1 through the administrative regulation process. House Bill 8 codified the drugs identified through that process. “Synthetic drugs pose a tremendous risk to our communities, mainly because they are often marketed as harmless household products,” Gov. Beshear said. “By clearly identifying these substances in the law, we can educate Kentuckians about the dangers posed by these drugs.” The law also added synthetic drug activity within the offense of unlawful transaction with a minor in the second degree, and modified the time periods during which certain methamphetamine offenders are prohibited from purchasing ephedrine-based products. "Our partners in law enforcement continue to discover new synthetics and dangerous, experimental chemical compounds being created and abused, threatening Kentucky families,” said Sen. Whitney Westerfield. “However, we remain vigilant for necessary changes to the law to protect against these substances. Chairman Tilley's House Bill 8 is the latest effort on this front, and I was glad to play a role in moving it through the Senate. As the landscape changes we must continue to fight substance abuse with adequate laws and resources to stop those responsible and help those in need." “Effective synthetic drug policy demands a quick response to deadly changes in formula. That’s what this latest bill represents,” said Rep. John Tilley, of Hopkinsville, sponsor of the bill. “Thankfully, our law allows us to stay one step ahead, which saves lives.”
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Post by Kentucky News on Aug 1, 2013 23:01:16 GMT -5
State Fleet Vehicle Auction 10 a.m. on August 6 Commonwealth News Center press release
Nearly 225 vehicles and several pallets of used tires are slated to be auctioned off starting at 10 a.m. on Aug. 6, at the State Service Garage, 513 Barrett St. in Frankfort. Among the many makes and models are 2-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, pickups, vans, SUVs and cars. There are 193 vehicles in running condition and more than 30 classified as non-runners, to be sold as salvage. “Many individuals and organizations benefit from buying a low-cost car, truck or van at the auction,” said Pete McDonald, director of the Kentucky Division of Fleet Management. “While the state no longer has need of these vehicles, they still have value.” This is the second fleet sale of the year. Running vehicles range over years, makes and models, from 1992 to 2008. The previous fleet auction in March brought an average sales price for running vehicles of $2,317. The lowest price was $600 and the highest was $10,000. Individuals interested in the auction may pre-register and inspect the vehicles from 1-4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013. In addition, they may register and view the vehicles on the morning of the sale from 8-9:50 a.m. Questions can be directed to Fleet Management Inventory at (502) 564-9943. More information and a list of vehicles are available online at: finance.ky.gov/services/surplus/Pages/publicauctions.aspxA 7 percent buyer’s premium will be charged to all items sold. Full payment is due within one hour after the last item is sold. Payment can be made with cash; cashiers, certified, or travelers checks; money order or personal check with proper identification. Any check over $5,000.00 and all out-of-state checks must be accompanied by a letter of credit from the bank.
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Post by Kentucky News on Aug 7, 2013 19:54:30 GMT -5
New penalty for violation of ‘No Texting’ law Commonwealth News Center press release
Governor Steve Beshear announced a new enforcement measure aimed at saving lives on Kentucky highways. At the Governor’s direction, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet soon will assess “penalty points” on the operator’s licenses of drivers who are cited and convicted of violating Kentucky’s law against texting while driving. A driver will incur three points for each no-texting violation. The cabinet can suspend the licenses of drivers who incur a specified number of points within a two-year period – 12 points for drivers 18 and older, seven points for drivers under 18. Gov. Beshear announced the new enforcement measure at the 2013 Kentucky Life Savers Conference, an annual gathering of transportation leaders and emergency responders from across the Commonwealth. “Highway safety has been a major emphasis of our administration,” Gov. Beshear said. “We have thousands of dedicated professionals – in highway engineering, law enforcement and emergency medical services – who work every day toward a goal of zero deaths on Kentucky’s streets and highways. “Part of the challenge of highway safety is to keep ahead of technology. The cell phone is symbolic of that challenge. While it has made our lives and jobs easier in many ways, there is no question that far too often it proves to be an irresistible distraction to drivers,” Gov. Beshear said. The “No Texting While Driving” law, enacted by the 2012 General Assembly, forbids anyone to send text messages while driving a motor vehicle. For drivers under 18, the law also forbids any use of a cell phone while driving. To aid in enforcement of the law, Gov. Beshear’s package of highway safety legislation submitted to the 2013 General Assembly included a bill – House Bill 294 – to impose penalty points for texting while driving. The bill was approved by the House Transportation Committee but never reached a vote in the full House before the General Assembly adjourned. Gov. Beshear then decided to have the Transportation Cabinet implement the penalty by administrative regulation. Once the regulation goes through legislative review and takes effect, the cabinet will begin assessing the penalty points. Some 53,600 crashes in Kentucky in 2012 were attributed to driver distraction, a category that includes cell phone use. “We have long recognized that cell phone use is a factor in a high number of highway crashes,” said Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock, who is the Governor’s designated representative for highway safety. “I am convinced that the ‘No Texting While Driving’ law will save lives.”
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Post by Kentucky News on Sept 9, 2013 18:37:29 GMT -5
KU honored for highway safety efforts Commonwealth News Center press release
Louisville Gas & Electric Co. and Kentucky Utilities Co., received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Outstanding Service Award for efforts to instill awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. The award was presented before the University of Louisville vs. Eastern Kentucky University football game. Recognizing the rising trend in injuries and fatalities on the roadways due to distracted driving habits, such as texting while driving, LG&E and KU, both owned by PPL Corp., developed a strategic safe-driving plan for employees and took proactive measures to train the workforce on driving methods that will prevent accidents and injuries. The utilities partnered with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) to have the agency’s Distracted Driving (D2) simulator at 11 LG&E and KU facilities, where more than 260 employees trained on it over the past two years. In addition, more than 500 employees were instructed on driving attitude, defensive driving and distracted-driving hazards, including eating and drinking, applying makeup, listening to music, reading, texting, using a phone, talking to passengers, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and drowsiness. LG&E and KU employees operate a fleet of about 1,600 vehicles and equipment units, driving nearly 13 million miles each year to provide safe, reliable service to customers. “LG&E and KU recognized the critical need to protect the safety of employees and the general public on the roadways and committed the necessary time and resources to address that need,” said KOHS Director Bill Bell, who presented the award on behalf of NHTSA. “This award is our small way of recognizing the passion of LG&E and KU for saving lives on Kentucky roadways.” According to the NHTSA, sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field – blindfolded. “It’s an honor to receive this award because the safety of our employees and the general public is a priority for LG&E and KU,” said Ken Sheridan, director, Operations and Security. “We have to credit our employees with this success, though. LG&E and KU have provided training and other educational opportunities to caution them about distracted-driving hazards. However, their deep-rooted commitment to safety in general is what truly makes a difference on the road.”
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Post by Kentucky News on Sept 16, 2013 17:30:04 GMT -5
Anthem, Humana and Passport get Obamacare contracts Commonwealth News Center press release
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has signed contracts with three managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide healthcare services to Kentuckians who will be newly eligible for coverage under the expansion of Medicaid, a provision of the Affordable Care Act. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2013, individuals in 104 Kentucky counties who are determined to be newly eligible for Medicaid will be able to choose Anthem, Humana or Passport as their healthcare provider for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2014. The three new MCOs are in addition to Coventry and WellCare, which are currently serving this area. Under the terms of the contract, the three MCOs will initially serve exclusively the more than 300,000 who will be newly eligible for Medicaid under the expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Contracts awarded to the three MCOs are for an initial 18 months with three, one-year renewal options. Beginning in July 2014, the 540,000 who are currently Medicaid members will also be able to choose Anthem, Humana or Passport as their managed care company or may choose to stay with their current MCO. “More than 300,000 Kentuckians are expected to be newly eligible for healthcare coverage through Medicaid beginning in January 2014,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “As a part of the Cabinet’s continuing effort to expand choice and access to care, I am pleased that we are able to offer these new Medicaid members the opportunity to choose from such reputable providers. We are excited about the improved health outcomes that will result from so many people having health insurance coverage, many for the first time.” The contracts awarded today to Anthem, Humana and Passport cover seven of eight Medicaid regions. Jefferson and the 15 surrounding counties that make up Region 3 were not included in this solicitation. Last October, the state awarded contracts to four MCOs in Region 3; Coventry Cares, Humana, Passport and Wellcare of Kentucky after the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) advised the Cabinet that Region 3 could no longer operate with a single managed care provider. Those contracts took effect in Jan. 1, 2013. These companies will provide coverage to the newly eligible Medicaid population beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is home to most of the state's human services and health care programs, including Medicaid, the Department for Community Based Services and the Department for Public Health. CHFS is one of the largest agencies in state government, with nearly 8,000 full and part-time employees throughout the Commonwealth focused on improving the lives and health of Kentuckians.
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Post by Kentucky News on Sept 16, 2013 17:30:51 GMT -5
Kentucky Cancer Foundation Announces Progress of Partnership to Tackle Cancer in Kentucky Commonwealth News Center press release
Governor Steve Beshear today joined members of the Kentucky Cancer Foundation and state health care officials to announce the progress of a public-private collaboration created last year to tackle the state’s continued problem with high rates of cancer. Kentucky is one of the worst states in the nation for cancer. Of all Kentucky cancer deaths from 2005-2009, 52 percent were from lung, breast, cervical and colon cancers. The foundation is nearing its goal of matching dollar for dollar the $1 million in funding Gov. Beshear placed in his budget last year to establish the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program and to help the foundation institute other selected portions of the state’s overall Kentucky Cancer Action Plan. The Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program is in the process of screening 2,000 uninsured Kentuckians through June 30, 2014. To date, the program has screened some 500 Kentuckians for colon cancer. Twenty–five percent of those who had colonoscopies were found to have pre-cancerous polyps that were removed to prevent the development of cancer. The program, administered by the Kentucky Department of Public Health, is providing the colon cancer screenings to a targeted population at 10 selected local health departments across the state to low-income, uninsured Kentuckians between the ages of 50-64. As part of the screening, members of this group who are at average risk for colon cancer are being screened with a simple, low-cost stool test while those who are at higher risk are being screened with a colonoscopy. “These colon cancer screenings go hand and hand with our work to make Kentucky a healthier state and make available affordable, quality health care to the 640,000 people in Kentucky who do not have health insurance,” said Gov. Beshear. “A number of Kentuckians can thank the early detection and treatment by the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program for saving their lives. We expect similar results for thousands of Kentuckians once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented in the Commonwealth.” Lack of health care is one of the greatest hindrances to Kentucky’s improving its future, Gov. Beshear said. The Governor said his partnership with the foundation is a perfect example of the type of effort needed to provide education and preventive programs to reduce cancer across the Commonwealth. Kentucky was No. 1 for lung cancer incidence and mortality in the nation from 2005-2009. The incidence rate was 49 percent higher than the national average, while the mortality rate was 46 percent higher than the rest of the nation. Kentucky's incidence of colon cancer was also the highest in the nation from 2005-2009. The incidence rate was 19 percent higher than the national average. Kentucky also had the fourth-highest colon and rectal cancer death rate in the United States. In making the announcement today, the foundation recognized donors who gave private funds to pay for the evidence-based prevention and early detection services for citizens of the Commonwealth who are unable to afford colon cancer screenings. In the future, the foundation seeks to expand its financial support to services like mammograms, pap smears, smoking cessation programs and additional colon cancer screenings. Louisville Gastroenterologist Whitney Jones, a co-founder of the foundation, and its board are raising the matching funds for these screenings. “Kentucky leading the nation is overall cancer mortality is no longer acceptable,” said Dr. Jones. “This is our problem, we own it, period. The Kentucky Cancer Foundation formation creates a new vision to rapidly transform our Commonwealth into the nation’s leader in cancer prevention and early detection. Our goal this year is colon cancer, in the future, smoking cessation, breast and cervical cancer services. The Kentucky Cancer Foundation mission is to raise funds sufficient so that all Kentuckians have access to evidence-based, widely accepted and proven cancer prevention and early detection services.” Major donors of the foundation during its first year have included the University of Kentucky Healthcare, Norton Healthcare, KentuckyOne Health, Baptist Health and Passport Health Plan. The Kentucky Cancer Action Plan outlines goals and strategies for cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and quality of life, and is implemented through collaborative efforts of members of the Kentucky Cancer Consortium which has infrastructure funded by the CDC. The consortium is a statewide comprehensive cancer control coalition of more than 55 organizations charged with reducing the significant cancer burden in Kentucky. Board members of the foundation include Dr. Whitney Jones, Dr. Dan Kenady, Henry Altman, Kevin Atkins, Dr. Philip Bale, Lyle Hanna, Ian Henderson, Ellen Hesen, Crit Luallen, Mark Milburn, Laura Owens, Dr. Jennifer Redmond, Robert Shaw, Alice Sparks, Dr. David Stevens, and Jack Hillard, executive director, and Taylor Temple, associate director.
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 8, 2013 11:09:44 GMT -5
Cherokee influence on state Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate a historical marker to commemorate the role that Cherokee played in Kentucky at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Lincoln County Courthouse on Main Street in Stanford. Chiefs Oconostota, Attacullaculla and Sewanooko signed the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in 1775, which relinquished the Cherokee claims to most of present-day Kentucky. It was the largest land cession in the history of the frontier up to that time and led to the settlement of Forts Harrod, Boonesborough and Logan’s Station. Chief Doublehead, an influential leader in the Cumberland Plateau region, frequently attacked the Wilderness Trail and Kentucky settlements in the 1700s, yet he also negotiated significant land and peace treaties and was a guest of Presidents Washington, Adams and Jefferson. Featured speaker at the dedication will be Rita Coolidge, a two-time Grammy winner and a recipient of the Native American Music Award's Lifetime Achievement Award. Coolidge was born in Lafayette, Tenn., to a Cherokee father and half-Cherokee, half-Scottish mother. She is a founding member of the musical trio Walela (Cherokee for hummingbird). The Kentucky Historical Marker Program, administered by KHS in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, tells Kentucky’s story through on-the-spot history lessons that connect the history, communities and items housed in the Commonwealth’s many historical organizations. The program makes Kentucky’s history accessible to the public not just on markers along the state’s roadways, but also online at www.history.ky.gov/markers and via the Explore Kentucky History smartphone application available free at iTunes and Google Play. For more information, contact Becky Riddle, Kentucky Historical Marker program coordinator, at 502-564-1792, ext. 4474 or becky.riddle@ky.gov. An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's history by providing connections to the past, perspective on the present and inspiration for the future. The KHS history campus includes the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum at the State Arsenal. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit: www.history.ky.gov
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 10, 2013 18:27:02 GMT -5
Kentucky Public Service Commission OK's Wood Buring Plant in the Middle of Coal Company Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a 20-year contract that will allow Kentucky Power Co. to purchase electricity generated by a biomass-fueled plant near Hazard. Although the biomass power is more expensive than electricity from other sources, the PSC noted in an order issued today that a law enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly earlier this year, KRS 278.271, directed the PSC to consider factors other than cost in any case in which a utility seeks to purchase power from “a biomass energy facility that has (been approved by) the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting” (Siting Board). The PSC historically has applied a least-cost test to proposals to produce or purchase power. “While the Commission recognizes that the cost of the proposed (contract) would not have withstood scrutiny based strictly on a least-cost analysis, our consideration of the (contract) must also take into account the policy mandates” set forth by the legislature, the PSC said in its order. Kentucky Power’s agreement to purchase electricity from the 58.5-megaWatt ecoPower Generation-Hazard LLC biomass plant “promotes the inducement of an innovative energy-related business located in Kentucky that would advance the public purposes of achieving energy independence, creating new jobs and new investment, and creating new sources of tax revenues,” the PSC said in its order. According to testimony given by Kentucky Power, construction of the ecoPower plant will employ 230 people for two years. The plant will employ 30 people and create an additional 225 jobs for loggers and truckers. Kentucky power also contended that the plant is in accordance with state energy policy, which calls for increased use of renewable energy sources in general and biomass in particular. The ecoPower plant, which already has received necessary permits and approvals from other state agencies, including the Siting Board, will burn various wood wastes and low-quality timber. Kentucky Power stated that the generating capacity provided by ecoPower is needed both to replace capacity that will be lost because of reductions in power production at the company’s Big Sandy plant in Lawrence County and to help meet its future need for power. The utility also argued that the ecoPower contract will spur economic development in its service territory and diversify its generation portfolio, which now relies largely on coal. Kentucky Power has about 173,000 customers in 20 counties in eastern Kentucky. The price Kentucky Power will pay for electricity from the biomass plant has not been made public because the utility is contesting a PSC decision that denied confidential treatment of the information. Evidence submitted in the case states the annual cost of the biomass power will begin at about $50 million in 2017, when ecoPower is scheduled to go into operation. The price paid for the power will be passed through on a dollar-for-dollar basis to Kentucky Power ratepayers. Kentucky Power estimates that the biomass contract will increase total monthly bills for its customers by 5.99 percent in the first year that ecoPower is in operation. The contract with ecoPower includes an annual increase in the price paid by Kentucky Power. (The amount of the increase is also the subject of the dispute with the PSC over confidentiality.) Other parties to the case included the Kentucky Office of Attorney General, which represented ratepayers as a whole, and the Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers, Inc., which represented large industrial power consumers. The PSC conducted an evidentiary hearing in the case on Aug. 28 and 29. Today’s order, related documents in the case, and a video of the hearing are available on the PSC website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2013-0144. The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 11, 2013 12:30:17 GMT -5
9,453 Kentucky Residents now safe from ObamaCare Fines Commonwealth News Center press release
After 10 days of operation, Kentucky’s online health insurance marketplace, kynect, is getting close to enrolling 10,000 enrolled in new health insurance plans. So far, 9,453 individuals are enrolled. Individuals who sign up for health insurance by Dec. 15 will start coverage on January 1, 2014. More than 200,000 unique visitors have clicked on 4.1 million kynect web pages since the website launched on Oct. 1. Below statistics reflect activity on kynect as of 2 p.m. Eastern time today: • 204,658 unique visitors to kynect.ky.gov; viewing 4,121,702 web pages. • 183,217 people conducted pre-screenings to determine qualifications for subsidies, discounts or programs like Medicaid. • 29,350 applications for health care coverage have been started; 20,337 are completed. • 9,453 individuals are enrolled in new affordable health care coverage. • 261 small businesses have started applications for health insurance for employees. • 39,900 calls managed by kynect contact center at 1-855-4kynect (1-855-459-6328). For further updates on kynect numbers, visit: governor.ky.gov/healthierkyStatistics will be updated there regularly.
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 23, 2013 16:25:00 GMT -5
Kentucky Selected for Pilot Program to Better Train Teachers Commonwealth News Center press release
Governor Steve Beshear today announced that Kentucky has been named as one of seven states to participate in a two-year pilot program to train future teachers. The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) created the Network for Transforming Educator Preparation (NTEP) to help states ensure all new teachers are ready on the first day of their careers to prepare their students for college, work and life. The network will use successful practices used in several states to influence policies affecting teacher preparation and licensing. These policies may also influence training for school administrators, such as principals. “Kentucky has long been a leader in education reform, thanks in large part to our enthusiastic and adaptive workforce of dedicated educators,” Gov. Beshear said. “Students learn best from well-prepared and well-trained teachers. The work of this pilot project supports our commitment to Kentucky’s children to provide them with a world-class education and to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed today and as our workforce of tomorrow.” Over the next two years, the NTEP states will work with educators, training programs, colleges and universities, and school districts to improve the way states prepare the teacher workforce. Education Commissioner Terry Holliday served on the CCSSO Task Force on Educator Preparation and Entry into the Profession, which developed a report and 10 recommendations. “If we want to ensure our students receive a world-class education and graduate college/career-ready, we cannot ignore the importance of teacher preparation,” said Commissioner Holliday. “With the new Kentucky Core Academic Standards in English, mathematics and science, we’re expecting more of our students and teachers, so it is imperative we prepare our teachers to model and develop in students the knowledge and skills to think critically and creatively, solve real world problems, collaborate, and take ownership of their own learning.” Kentucky and the six other states – Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Washington – are joined by 17 national organizations committed to support the states’ efforts to accelerate change in educator preparation and entry into the profession. “It is no surprise that Kentucky was selected to participate in this pilot,” said Education Professional Standards Board Executive Director Robert Brown. “The objectives of the recommendations established by the CCSSO help guide transformations currently underway in Kentucky, as well as building upon recent initiatives to improve every aspect of educator preparation in the Commonwealth.” CCSSO released “Our Responsibility, Our Promise –Transforming Educator Preparation and Entry into the Profession” in December 2012. The report was developed collaboratively by state education chiefs and representatives of the National Governor’s Association and the National Association of State Boards of Education to identify key areas they can change to ensure every teacher and principal is ready on day one to help all students meet raised expectations. “States across the nation have raised expectations for students and that means that we have a responsibility to ensure that educators are prepared to help all students graduate ready for careers, college and lifelong learning,” said Chris Minnich, CCSSO executive director. “These seven states are among those on the leading edge of making substantive changes in the policy and practice of educator preparation. These states aren’t taking a piecemeal approach; rather they are creating a coherent system by addressing three key policy areas that shape this work.”
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 25, 2013 13:22:03 GMT -5
Kynect has added 21,342 to Medicaid while only 4,832 have signed up for ObamaCare Commonwealth News Center press release
Kentucky’s health exchange, kynect, has been hailed as a national model since its launch Oct. 1 and with good reason – the site has enrolled more than 26,000 Kentuckians in less than a month and has operated smoothly for users looking for affordable health coverage. “People who say the Affordable Care Act doesn’t work need look no further than Kentucky. Not only is it working here, Kentuckians are still stampeding to the website and call center to find affordable health coverage,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “The fact that so many Kentuckians are actively seeking health coverage for themselves, their families and their employees tells us that kynect is meeting a gaping need in our state. At long last, every Kentuckian can finally find affordable health insurance.” The below statistics reflect activity on kynect as of 11 a.m. Eastern time today: • 305,949 unique visitors to the website, viewing 7.2 million web pages • 267,938 people conducted preliminary screenings to determine qualifications for subsidies, discounts or programs like Medicaid • 51,482 applications started • 26,174 enrolled in new health coverage, including Medicaid and private insurance • 1,607 standalone dental plans enrolled Enrollment composite: 21,342 have enrolled in Medicaid and 4,832 have enrolled in a qualified health plan. 10,443 have been found eligible for a subsidy to purchase a qualified health plan, but some have not yet chosen a plan. For further updates on kynect numbers, visit governor.ky.gov/healthierky. Statistics will be updated there regularly.
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 31, 2013 13:33:56 GMT -5
Natural Gas Will Cost More This Winter Than Last Year Commonwealth News Center press release
Natural gas costs at the start of the 2013-2014 heating season will be higher than last year, but are still well below the peak reached in 2008, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) said today. On average, Kentucky customers can expect to pay about 19 percent more this November than last if they consume 10,000 cubic feet of natural gas. The average total bill for 10,000 cubic feet – including base rates – is projected to be about $101.81. That is down nearly $49 since November of 2008 - a decrease of 32 percent. The lower cost of natural gas has more than offset increases in base rates over that time. “Natural gas prices have rebounded from last year’s abnormally low levels, but this year’s prices are still quite low,” PSC Chairman David Armstrong said. “Demand is up because more natural gas is being used to generate electricity and the overall economy has improved. “But the significant increases in gas production and supply are projected to provide price stability in the coming years,” he said. “The very large year-to-year fluctuations we saw in the previous decade are unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.” Weather – not price – is the dominant factor in determining the amount of energy that consumers use to heat their homes and thus the size of their heating bill, Armstrong said. The best weapon consumers have to manage their energy costs is to take steps to reduce consumption, he said. “The best thing consumers can do is to reinvest a portion of the savings from relatively low energy costs now into permanent improvements, such as weatherization, that will provide insulation against higher energy costs in the future,” Armstrong said. Wholesale natural gas costs this year are, on average, about 35 percent higher than the very low levels of a year ago. Only one of Kentucky’s five large natural gas distribution companies has received a base rate increase in the last year. Wholesale costs make up the largest portion of retail gas bills during the heating season. They are passed through to consumers on a dollar-for-dollar basis by local distribution companies. Changes in individual ratepayer bills will vary by company and customer usage. Wholesale prices over the last five years have not approached the peak prices seen since a sharp upward turn in 2008. Prices declined even more abruptly during the economic downturn in 2009, and have remained relatively stable since then. By federal law, natural gas prices are not regulated at the wholesale level and generally fluctuate with supply and demand. Under Kentucky law, gas companies are entitled to recover the wholesale cost of the gas delivered to customers, including the fees they pay to interstate pipelines to transport the gas to their retail distribution systems. Companies are not allowed to earn a profit on their gas commodity costs. The companies’ gas cost adjustments are reviewed by the PSC to make sure they accurately reflect the wholesale cost of gas. About half of the natural gas used for winter heating is put into storage in the summer. The price at which it was purchased is the price passed through to consumers. Until the last decade, natural gas prices typically were considerably lower in the summer than in the winter. That gap has narrowed in recent years, due in large part to the increased use of natural gas to generate electricity. Kentucky’s five major natural gas distribution companies expect their adjusted wholesale cost this November to be, on average, $5.95 per 1,000 cubic feet (mcf). That is up $1.52 (34 percent) from an average of $4.43 per mcf a year ago. In August 2008, the average adjusted wholesale cost peaked at $15.17 per mcf. The wholesale cost of natural gas now accounts for just over half of a typical consumer’s winter bill. A typical Kentucky customer using 10 mcf next month will pay a total monthly bill of $101.81, up $16.26 – or about 19 percent - from the $85.55 average bill a year ago. That increase is an average for Kentucky’s five major local natural gas distribution companies as of November. It will change as companies make further wholesale cost adjustments throughout the heating season. Wholesale costs and base rates vary by company. The base rates reflect a utility’s day-to-day operating costs, including the cost of delivering gas, as well as a return on equity for company shareholders. The five major natural gas distribution companies in Kentucky are Atmos Energy, Columbia Gas of Kentucky Inc., Delta Natural Gas Co. Inc., Louisville Gas and Electric Co. and Duke Energy Kentucky Inc. Together the five companies serve more than 750,000 customers in Kentucky and deliver about 176 billion cubic feet of gas annually. About 44 percent of Kentuckians heat their homes with natural gas. For those who heat with propane (10 percent), prices are likely to be about 20 percent higher than a year ago, while those heating with fuel oil (3 percent) will see prices similar to those last year. The 39 percent of Kentuckians who use electric heat are likely to see somewhat higher bills on average this winter, in part because three of Kentucky’s largest electric utilities have had rate increases in the last year. Although the slow pace of economic growth has helped keep fuel prices stable, it also has left many Kentuckians struggling to pay their heating bills, Armstrong said. Heating assistance is available from local community action agencies and from utility companies, but funds are limited and sometimes run out during the heating season, he said. “Do not allow a difficulty in paying a utility bill to become a crisis,” Armstrong said. “Now is the time to take the necessary steps if you think that you may need assistance in paying your heating bill this winter.” The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.
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Post by Kentucky News on Nov 22, 2013 19:16:17 GMT -5
Kentucky Deptartment of Revenue: No increase in tax interest rate for 2014 Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Department of Revenue has set the 2014 tax interest rate, which remains unchanged from the previous two years. The interest rate is four percent; the rate charged by the Department on unpaid taxes is six percent; and for interest due on a refund, the rate is two percent. Each year the Department of Revenue, pursuant to KRS 131.183, is required to review the annual tax rate and change or keep the same rate. The new interest rate is based on the adjusted prime rate charged by Kentucky banks during the month of October. A recent survey of Kentucky banks revealed that the average prime interest rate was four percent during the month of October 2013. The interest rate is effective Jan. 1, 2014.
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Post by Kentucky News on Dec 19, 2013 22:35:38 GMT -5
Bipartisan legislation to address the increase in heroin abuse Commonwealth News Center press release
Attorney General Jack Conway, Sen. Katie Stine, and Rep. John Tilley today announced a piece of bipartisan legislation that will be presented in the 2014 regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly to address the increase in heroin abuse and trafficking that is being reported in communities across Kentucky. "Many areas of the state have seen an increase in heroin use and overdoses. We cannot stand idly by and watch our families be torn apart," General Conway said. "We have worked together to craft this bipartisan bill that helps us get to the root of the problem, which is treating opiate addiction." The comprehensive legislation that has been drafted over the past several months will address punishment, prevention and treatment. "Statistic's paint a grim picture," said Sen. Stine, who serves as president pro-tem of the Kentucky Senate. "According to the recent report issued by the Office of Drug Control Policy for the year 2012, there were 1004 overdose deaths in Kentucky. Deaths from heroin overdose increased 650 percent from the previous year, and reports are that 2013 will be far worse than that. We must do everything we can to get the traffickers off the street, get treatment for addicts and educate our people, especially our youth, about the hazards of drug abuse, especially heroin." The proposed law will increase penalties for high-volume traffickers and allow traffickers to be charged with homicide. Both of these proposed changes to state law would make Kentucky consistent with current federal law. Under state sentencing guidelines, it would require large volume traffickers to serve 50 percent of their sentences. There currently is no distinction between large and small volume traffickers. The bill also decreases the time a defendant must serve before being eligible for parole if he or she cooperates with authorities. The bill would require the Kentucky Medicaid Program to cover a broad array of substance abuse treatment options for people seeking opiate addiction treatment, and cost savings realized through House Bill 463 – a smart-on-crime measure designed to enhance public safety while reducing recidivism, increasing treatment options and maximizing tax dollars - would be directed to the Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (KY-ASAP) to fund treatment and educational programs. "The battlefield is always changing when it comes to drug abuse, which we have seen in recent years with spikes in meth, synthetic drugs and the abuse of painkillers," said Rep. Tilley, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. "We in Kentucky came up with solutions in each case that have been hailed as national models, and I am convinced that this legislation will continue that trend. It will do that by doing what we have done in the past: crack down on serious traffickers while increasing treatment options to help addicts escape the cycle. While there is no silver bullet, we feel this is the best approach." Other provisions in the bill include: • The coroner or medical examiner must notify the Commonwealth's Attorney of any overdose death caused by the use of a Schedule I controlled substance. • Doctors are permitted to prescribe Naloxone to first responders and addicts' family members to help prevent overdose deaths. • Limited immunity from drug paraphernalia and possession charges for people who call 911 to help prevent a drug overdose death. • Training for peace officers on heroin overdose recognition, interdiction, and treatments. For a copy of the bill, visit goo.gl/nbDCSV
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Post by Kentucky News on Dec 23, 2013 22:57:13 GMT -5
Conway wants TVA Plant closed by the Obama war on coal to follow National Environmental Policy Act Commonwealth News Center press release
Attorney General Jack Conway has contacted executives with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regarding its recent decision to shut down two units at its power plant in Paradise, Ky. In his letter to the TVA, Attorney General Conway questions the transparency of the process and whether or not TVA followed through with the requirements outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Among his concerns; that public meetings were only held in Tennessee, despite the impact on Kentucky and its ratepayers, and that economic and social impact studies on the affected areas were not completed as required by NEPA or, to date, they have not been shared with the public. “As Attorney General, it is my job to speak on behalf of ratepayers and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky affected by this decision,” General Conway said. “It is my fear that this decision will negatively impact the ratepayers of West Kentucky and the hardworking families who rely on power generated by the TVA.” General Conway also requested that economic impact studies and modeling data compiled by TVA be provided to the Office of the Attorney General no later than January 17, 2014.
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Post by Kentucky News on Feb 21, 2014 16:18:10 GMT -5
PSC Approves $15 million environmental project if cost is passed on to customers of East Kentucky Power Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a plan that will allow the continued operation of a coal-burning unit at the East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) J.S. Cooper Generating Station near Burnside. In an order issued today, the PSC noted the “relatively inexpensive” cost of the project and found that it was the least costly of the alternatives evaluated by EKPC. The $15 million project involves adding ductwork that will redirect emissions from the 116-megawatt Cooper Unit 1 to emission control equipment already in place to handle emissions from the 225-megawatt Cooper Unit 2. The equipment has the capacity to handle emissions from both units. Adding the ductwork will bring Cooper Unit 1 – which currently has less extensive emissions controls than Cooper Unit 2 - into compliance with stricter federal air quality standards that further limit emissions from coal-burning power plants. The PSC also approved plans by EKPC to recover the cost of the project through its environmental surcharge, as authorized by Kentucky statute. The cost will be passed on to customers of the 16 electric distribution cooperatives that purchase power from and own EKPC. Keeping Cooper Unit 1 in operation will allow EKPC to maintain adequate generating capacity at the lowest possible cost and at relatively little financial risk, the PSC found. EKPC looked at a number of alternatives for meeting its capacity requirements, the PSC said. However, the PSC also noted that the analysis did not look farther ahead to consider potential future environmental compliance requirements. While it may have been unnecessary in this case, the PSC said that it expects such analysis to be conducted in the future “as part of a utility’s prudent evaluation of alternatives to any environmental compliance plan.” The PSC also noted that EKPC intends to continue to pursue energy efficiency programs in tandem with the improvements at the Cooper power plant. Those programs are designed to reduce demand for power and thus reduce or delay the need for additional electricity generating capacity. EKPC’s demand-side management and energy efficiency efforts have shown progress, the PSC said, adding that it expects the utility to continue to expand and develop its portfolio of programs. The PSC conducted an evidentiary hearing in the case on January 14 and 15, 2014. Other parties to the case included Gallatin Steel Co., which is a major customer on the EKPC system, and the Sierra Club, an environmental organization. Today’s order and related documents are available on the PSC website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2013-00259. The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.
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Post by Kentucky News on Feb 28, 2014 19:42:25 GMT -5
PSC Grants 4.6 percent Rate Increase to Jackson Energy Coop Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has granted a rate adjustment to Jackson Energy Cooperative Corp. In an order issued today, the PSC accepted Jackson Energy’s proposal to increase its annual revenue by $4.11 million, or about 4.6 percent. The PSC agreed that the increase is needed to reverse a decline in the utility’s financial condition. Over the next 18 months, Jackson Energy will increase rates in three equal steps, with the increase coming next month, in September and finally in September 2015. The increase will be confined to the monthly customer charge. For residential customers, the monthly customer charge will increase in three increments of $2 each. The first, which takes effect March 1, will increase the monthly customer charge from the current $10.44 to $12.44. In September of this year it will rise to $14.44 and then go up to $16.44 in September of next year. Jackson Energy estimates that the typical residential customer will experience a 5.14 percent increase in the monthly bill when the rate adjustment is completed. In requesting to implement the rate increase in phases, Jackson Energy noted the difficult economic conditions in its service territory. A gradual increase is preferable to larger one-time increase, the utility said. Jackson Energy has about 51,240 customers in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Garrard, Jackson, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Madison, Owsley, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle and Wolfe counties in east-central Kentucky. It is one of 16 cooperatives that own and purchase power from the East Kentucky Power Cooperative Inc. The PSC last granted a rate adjustment to Jackson Energy in June 2008. In today’s order, the PSC noted that Jackson Energy said it did not become aware of its deteriorating financial situation until February 2013, and then waited six months before applying for a rate increase. The utility should have known much sooner that its finances were declining and should have moved with more urgency to address the issue, the PSC said. Although the rate case did not address Jackson Energy’s existing demand-side management (DSM) and energy efficiency programs, the PSC’s order urges the utility to continue its efforts to encourage customer participation and to expand those programs in the future. In its order, the PSC said it “believes that energy conservation, energy efficiency and DSM will become increasingly important in Kentucky.” The rates structure it approved in the order should stabilize Jackson Energy’s finances and enable the utility to “vigorously pursue” expansion of DSM and energy efficiency programs, the PSC said. The PSC directed Jackson Energy to file annual reports on its progress in those areas. Jackson Energy filed its application for a rate adjustment on Aug. 8, 2013. After deficiencies in the original application were corrected, the PSC accepted the application on Sept. 6, 2013. There were no other parties to the case. The application was the subject of a PSC hearing on Jan. 28. The PSC’s order, other documents in the case and a video of the hearing are available on the PSC website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2013-00219. The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.
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