The Kentucky House of Representatives and Senate returned to session on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023. Speaker of the House, David Osborne introduced returning, as well as first year members. Officially being inducted and introduced to the system, voting began on Thursday with HB 1 (4% tax cut by Jan. 1 of 2024), HB 2 ($16.8 million contribution to the veterans center in Bowling Green), and HB 11 (an act relating to the future budget of transportation within the state) all passing. Other bills to be brought up include sports betting which was passed back in 2021 but failed to go through the Senate, and the legalization of medical mairjuana. With only thirty days of session, the chamber plans to move rather quickly to discuss all bills. 

Bourbon County’s Representative, Matt Koch, speaks on the widening of 460 and future economic development for the county, as well as his own experience within the legislator. Elected four years ago, Koch’s biggest accomplishment has been involved with expanding 460, on Georgetown Road, Ky. He says the main reason for doing this is safety- with windy roads and fast hills, there have been several fatal crashes in previous decades. Expanding it will prevent accidents, and will allow a safer way for more people to visit Paris. The road has currently been under construction for a year and a half, and is set to finish in the next year, minus any circumstances that could potentially be a setback. 

Taking more of an inside look, Koch serves on four committees; Agriculture, Intergovernmental Affairs, Licensing & Occupations, and VMAPP (Veterans Affairs). Being part of those, he has been discussing the state’s new ban on illegal gaming, specifically ‘Gray games’ (HB 608). Similar to slot machines, these games have spread rapidly across the state, and are hurting us more than we know. They are set up at most gas stations, as any lottery ticket is. The problem is that they are unattended, which means they are accessible to minors which creates problems in itself. Since it is unregulated, the involvement of money laundering is taking place, and could be damaging to Kentucky. 

Putting an end to illegal gambling, and expanding Kentucky’s economic and environmental structure are just two of the main topics legislators will discuss this session. For more Kentucky Legislative updates go to https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx .