Opinion

This job affords me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and learn some interesting things about this community, things that some people may never have known, or things that many people may have forgotten.

Last week, I sat in the offices of Rev. Charles Burton of Second Baptist Church, and we were joined by fellow church staff members, Rev. Dr. Wanda Collins and Rev. John Lewis. We talked about the 150th anniversary of the church, about its history, its survival and its future.

From the patriotic medleys of the 100th Amy Band to chants of citizens passionately advocating a cause, the sounds echoing through the hallways of our Capitol signaled just one thing – the 150th General Assembly was in session.

After just the first week, Senate Majority had rolled out its priorities. It’s 13 bills that are a mix of both new and familiar. Many of the bills have been discussed in concept through last year. Some of the bills will even enjoy bipartisan support.

As we usher in the New Year and the 150th regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly, I’m honored to represent your district. This will be my 13th year in the state legislature.

During even-year sessions, we are required to pass a two-year budget for the commonwealth. It’s a tall order to pass a budget during even the most prosperous of times, but we’re committed to rolling up our sleeves and working together to adopt a fiscally responsible spending plan that addresses Kentucky’s most pressing needs. It’s a goal we all share.

From failing pension systems for state employees and teachers to what should be done about Medicaid expansion, state Rep. James Tipton knows full well there is plenty of work that needs to be done in Frankfort.

He also knows to be a part of that work, he must get re-elected next November.

Tipton, a Republican from Taylorsville who won the 53rd District seat in the state House of Representatives last year, filed recently for re-election and last week spelled out what he says are the state’s major issues and how he hopes to solve them.

I do not like Donald Trump as a presidential candidate. I find him arrogant, crude and ill-prepared to assume the role of President and Commander-in-Chief.

I do like Trump’s candidacy however, in the sense that it should open a nation’s eyes to the follies of political correctness.
Love or loathe him, Trump speaks in a language that America understands. He’s blunt, brash and straight-to-the-point. Americans have always liked that, although our politicians have more often developed a way of weaving their words into a tangled web of ambiguity.

In the early spring, Kentucky received a substantial amount of rain causing many creeks and streams to go over their banks. Many acres and roads were flooded.

Veech Road had a major landslide. A portion of the road fell 100 feet into Plum Creek. At least 25 trees and tons of earth and rock fell. The road was impassable.

As we approach the holidays I would like to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas to each of you and to your family. My wish is that you can take time out of your busy schedules to enjoy family and celebrate the reason for the season.

The holidays provide a brief break before the 2016 General Assembly. The debate of how to address the Kentucky employees’ and teachers’ retirement systems combined estimated $25 billion in unfunded liabilities will likely dominate the session as legislators work to pass the state’s next 24-month budget.

Cha-ching. That’s the sound that rings from the chambers of local government whenever a new proposal to sell alcohol is brought up for discussion. It jingled repeatedly last Tuesday during the Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting when Judge-Executive John Riley and County Attorney Kenneth Jones spoke of a change to the county’s ordinance that would allow alcohol sales by the drink on Sundays.