Lake Barkley Community Day

Like many of you I have many fond memories of weekends and holidays down at Lake Barkley. From July 4th weekends with sparklers and the massive fireworks launched from the beach, to Father's and Mother's Day holidays with a huge family gathered around tables near a window at the Lodge overlooking the water, to cruising the lake in the runabout and learning (or failing) to ski, Lake Barkley has many connections to my past. Sadly, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, like others across the Commonwealth these days, is struggling. But that's where we come in! WKDZ/WHVO Radio is organizing a Community Volunteer Clean-Up day! Check out their announcement here! Take the Notice and Volunteer forms below and PASS IT ON!!

Preserve Our History

Appreciate the Services Offered

Share Through Tourism

Sustain the Parks Through Community Service

VOLUNTEER DAY AT LAKE BARKLEY STATE RESORT PARK

MAY 18TH 2013 - 8AM-5PM

Lunch to be Provided!

40 Years

See this brief reminder from The Family Foundation:

Today, we recognize the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. On this day in 1973, nine unelected judges made the decision that an unborn child did not have the same constitutional right as a child that is born alive. According to section 1 of the 14th Amendment, no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Since 1973, over 55 million children have been denied life and protection.

Call Representatives John Tilley (D, Hopkinsville, Martha Jane King (D, Todd & Logan Counties), and Brent Yonts (D, Greenville), all Majority Party members of the House who cover parts of my 3rd Senate District, to insist that the Kentucky House hold a vote on pro-life legislation this year. Call any legislator at 800-372-7181 to leave a message.

40 years is 40 years too many.

Week 1

FRANKFORT – As I write to you, I am wrapping up the first week of the 2013 General Assembly Session, 26 more days to go. Now, since this is a “short” session, when we adjourn Friday, we will not meet again until February 5^th. The time is used to get new members, committee chairman, and newly-elected Leadership acclimated and everyone back up to speed.

The Senate President announced Senate Bill 1 which is aimed to making it easier for deployed military to vote. It has not been filed yet since staff is working to ensure that the process for this is as secure as possible. I want to do whatever I can to protect the right to vote of our troops abroad but I also want to ensure that the mechanism is as confidential as it should be. I will be the primary co-sponsor of this bill.

I myself filed Senate Bill 47, my first bill, that allows for law-enforcement to collect a DNA sample upon a felony arrest. The current law already requires a DNA sample be taken upon a felony conviction, but this new bill would assist in resolving unsolved crimes. Individuals who are arrested, and from whom a sample is taken, may petition that the DNA record be removed should the underlying offense be dismissed or result in an acquittal. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) passed a bill in the Senate, on January 1, known as Katie's Law, providing for funding for the implementation of bills like mine.

As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I have already been involved in various meetings with my staff as well as experts on the Legislative Research Committee. I have also been studying various issues that will be coming up including adjustments to HB1 (the "pill mill bill"), Human Trafficking and synthetic drugs to name a few.

I want to keep you as informed as possible. Your input is not only valued and appreciated, it’s genuinely needed.  I encourage you to follow the issues and always welcome your comments and questions.  There are many ways you can stay in touch with the General Assembly.

The Kentucky Legislature Home Page, www.lrc.ky.gov, provides information on each of the Commonwealth’s senators and representatives, including our phone numbers, addressees, and committee assignments.  The site also provides a bill tracking service, and committee meeting schedules.

By going to our eNews page, www.lrc.ky.gov/pubinfo/listserv.htm, you can subscribe to frequent e-mail updates on what’s happening at the Capitol.  In addition, the General Assembly has its own blog, Capitol Notes, www.lrc.ky.gov/pubinfo/capitol_notes.htm, that will allow you to receive legislative updates at your leisure.

You can also follow legislative action in the following ways:

• A taped message containing information on legislative committee meetings is updated daily at 1-800-633-9650.
• To check the status of a bill, you may call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 1-866-840-2835.
• To leave a message for any legislator, call the General Assembly’s toll-free Message Line at 1-800-372-7181.  People with hearing difficulties may leave messages for lawmakers by calling the TTY Message Line at 1-800-896-0305.
• You may write me by sending a letter to: Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Suite 214, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

Westerfield Sworn in as State Senator

Senator Whitney H. Westerfield was sworn in Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Chamber in Frankfort, Kentucky, beginning a four year term representing the 3rd Senate District. Various housekeeping matters were addressed during the brief session, and members welcomed family and loved ones on the Senate Floor for the day's festivities. Sen. Westerfield gives special remembrance to his father, Tom Westerfield, who passed away in the fall of 2012 from a farming accident. Westerfield said, "it's a bittersweet day to celebrate with my wife, Amanda, my mother and my brothers, but without Dad. He would have thoroughly enjoyed the work I'm beginning here."

You can reach Sen. Westerfield here or by calling his Frankfort office at (502) 564-8100.