2010 Interim Record
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2010 Interim LEGISLATIVE Volume 23, No. 6 November 2010 * Read on-line at www.lrc.ky.gov/legislation.htm* RECORD Hyland receives Vic Hellard Jr. 2010 Vic Hellard Jr. Award Award past winners by Scott Payton 2009 LRC Public Information Congressman Romano Mazzoli Peggy Hyland, who served the Kentucky Gen- eral Assembly in increasingly responsible roles over 2008 a distinguished 26-year career with the Legislative Sally Brown Research Commission staff, has been named recipi- ent of the 2010 Vic Hellard Jr. Award for excellence in public service. 2007 The Hellard Award has been given annually John R. Hall since 1997. Hyland, of Louisville, was selected for this year’s honor by the 16-member legislative lead- 2006 ership that comprises the LRC. The LRC assumed responsibility for the award this year. (See sidebar Sylvia L. Lovely for past Hellard Award recipients). Hellard himself was the executive director of 2005 the LRC staff for 19 years, a period covering most William H. Hintze of Hyland’s service. In announcing the award, LRC co-chairs Da- vid L.Williams, President of the Senate, and Greg 2004 Stumbo, Speaker of the House, said Hyland’s selec- Robert M. “Mike” Duncan tion was especially well-deserved, given the crucial but behind-the-scenes nature of her work on behalf of millions of Kentuckians who’d never heard her 2003 name. Walter A. Baker “In her 26 years here, Hyland earned Peggy was an unsung hero 2002 who embodied the best in a reputation for legislative staffi ng,” Wil- Peggy Hyland was selected to receive the 2010 Vic Hellard Jr. Virginia G. Fox liams said. “She developed Award for her dedicated service during a 26-year career with the professionalism, a well-earned reputation Legislative Research Commission. She retired from the LRC in 2001 2002. nonpartisanship, for professionalism, even- Thomas D. Clark handed nonpartisanship, fairness and fairness and good humor. And she devoted her whole career to serving the people of Kentucky without seeking or expecting public credit or applause. If for her 2000 good humor. selfl ess dedication alone, this public recognition of her invaluable contribution is Albert P. (Al) Smith long-overdue.” After joining the LRC staff in 1976, Hyland’s career arc with the agency saw 1999 her rise steadily from committee staff to assistant director, deputy director and —during a challenging hiatus between appointed directors in the late ‘90s—acting interim director. Her Mary Helen Miller focus was committee and staff coordination, seeing that the Legislature’s all-important committee system ran smoothly. 1998 But Hyland’s career was not limited to committee and staff work. In fact, she was in some ways most Joseph W. Kelly noted for her advocacy of a concept considered innovative among legislative service agencies at the time: The use of committee staff and agency resources to identify emerging issues and trends, and to brief law- makers in advance on problems—and solutions—before a cloud on the horizon became a full-blown storm. 1997 “Peggy virtually invented the concept of long-term Continued on page 2 Anthony M. Wilhoit THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1 Peggy Hyland, from page 1 issues identifi cation within legislatures,” Stumbo said. “She saw clearly that too often, a legislature is simply a reactive body, careening from problem to problem and crisis to crisis. Her ideas were visionary. She advocated them tire- lessly, with Vic Hellard’s enthusiastic support. And she taught them to others on the LRC committee staff and got them involved. She was a champion of legisla- tive independence, and saw that a strong Legislature is built on a solid base of knowledge.” She retired from the agency in 2002. Hyland herself expressed “surprise and deep gratitude” upon learning of the award. “To be recognized by the LRC, which I devoted most of my professional life to serving, is an honor beyond expression,” she said. “That the award bears the name of my great friend and mentor Vic Hellard only deepens my sense of being humbled and truly honored. “But most especially, I realize I share it with the hundreds of legislative staffers who have worked long hours in virtual anonymity, far from any lime- light, to serve the people of Kentucky and the branch of government closest to them, what Vic always called The People’s Branch. Their names should be on this award along with mine.” The Hellard Award is named for Vic Hellard Jr., longtime LRC director who retired in 1995, a year before his death. Sometimes called ‘The Shepherd of Legislative Independence,’ Hellard was a strong believer in democracy and its institutions, and that an independent legislative branch was a cornerstone of democracy’s success. After becoming LRC director in 1976, he built it into a highly professional organization capable of supporting and sustaining the Legislature’s drive to achieve co-equal status with the governor. He was a true believer in that cause, and mentored many of the idealistic young staff—including Hyland— who sought him out to work for him and the emerging Legislature over the years. The award bearing his name requires the recipient to embody certain spe- cifi c qualities that Hellard himself brought to public service: Vision, seeking innovation while cherishing history, championing the equality and dignity of all citizens, enhancing the civic processes of a democratic society, and approaching that work with commitment, caring, generosity and humor. Current LRC Director Robert Sherman, a close colleague of Hyland’s for Peggy Hyland with late Legislative Research Commission Executive Director Vic Hellard Jr. during 23 years, said throughout her career, she embodied the traits that Hellard most Hellard’s 19-year tenure at the helm of the agency. Hyland is the 2010 recipient of the Vic Hellard Jr. admired in public servants. Award named for Hellard. “Vic taught Peggy from early in her career here, and came to rely on her for her steadiness and solid counsel,” Sherman said. “He always had absolute faith in Peggy as an exemplary legislative staffer. I’m sure he’d be pleased that a member of his legislative family was chosen the fi rst year the award is being given by the LRC itself. And I know he’d be especially pleased it was Peggy.” Lawmakers updated on health reform as session nears by Chuck Truesdell to insurance products, she said, with makers could face next year involves framework allow the Department of LRC Public Information anti-rescission language and the elim- health insurance exchanges, which Insurance wide latitude to develop the ination of annual and lifetime limits Clark likened to a shopping mall. The basics of a state exchange while col- LOUISVILLE — The state’s De- among them. Although the state has centralized marketplace would allow laborating with other states. Because partment of Insurance is working at many similar regulations in place, individuals and small groups to more a large portion of Kentucky citizens breakneck pace to prepare for federally the exact text may not match federal easily compare plans and prices. To live near the state line, he said, being required changes in health care regula- law, so the department will present the have such an exchange up and running able to access health care in surround- tions and will present an omnibus bill General Assembly with a proposal in by 2014 would probably require some ing states will be essential to effective to codify the consumer protection por- 2011 to create matching language. sort of basic framework in place this coverage. tions, the department’s commissioner Without revising state law, Clark year, she said. Clark said the state has received a told a panel of lawmakers on Nov. 12. said, offi cials in Kentucky may not The concern about the exchange, $1 million federal grant to plan an ex- Commissioner Sharon Clark up- be able to help consumers on their she noted, is whether Kentucky will change, with the bulk of the money go- dated the Interim Joint Committee on own when they encounter problems. offer its own exchange or work with ing to research. “I can tell you we have Banking and Insurance on the state’s “I don’t want to have to send them to other states to create a multi-state ex- 600,000 uninsured in Kentucky, but I progress since August 24, when she Washington,” she said. Although there change. Because of Kentucky’s size can’t tell you who they are. I can’t tell last presented the group with informa- is sentiment at the federal level to re- and demographics, she said, Kentucky you where they are,” she said. The rea- tion about Kentucky’s efforts to imple- peal some aspects of the legislation, might be overwhelmed by larger states son for the lack of coverage will play ment federal requirements. she said the portions dealing with con- in such an arrangement. a large role in how the exchange is de- Many of the items taking ef- sumer protections will likely survive. Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholas- signed, she added, with town forums fect early impact consumers’ access The other possible legislation law- ville, suggested that any legislative held to gather information. 2 2010 Interim LEGISLATIVE RECORD Local government panel 2011 Session Calendar reviews stimulus funds by Rebecca Mullins Hanchett totaling more than $882 million are LRC Public Information also benefi ting local communities, explained Haskamp. Over 200 in- The $3.47 billion that Kentucky dividual transportation projects and has received in federal stimulus dozens of drinking water projects, funds has led to more than 10,800 among other needs, have been made Kentucky jobs and billions of dol- possible by the funds, which has also lars for state Medicaid, education, brought an additional $118 million water, transportation and other proj- for corrections and public safety and ects in Kentucky communities, state over $200 million for energy proj- Finance offi cials said Nov.