London, KY 40743 Box 1450 P.O. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth Change Service Requested GRASSROOTS LEGISLATIVE JANUARY 29, 2020 INFORMATION FOR EFFECTIVEguide PARTICIPATION IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY The voices and vision of Kentuckians are essential in a healthy democracy. This guide is a tool for grassroots lobbyists on issues that matter, and for holding legislators accountable to all of us during the 2020 General Assembly. Members of the Voting Rights Coalition KFTC Legislative Guide | Page 2 2020 General Assembly In 1982, KFTC members got involved in their first legislative ses- WHY KFTC sion. Our issues were noticed, our presence was felt, members were empowered, legislators became more accountable and the ground- is a statewide grassroots social justice orga ­ PUBLISHES work was laid for a string of significant legislative victories over the ni zation working for a new balance of power years. The importance of grassroots involvement in the legislative and a just society. KFTC uses direct­action process – whether lobbying in Frankfort or working from home organizing to accomplish the following goals: THIS – cannot be overstated. We provide the information in this publica- • foster democratic values tion to help enable and improve that involvement – and ultimately • change unjust institutions LEGISLATIVE make Kentucky a better place to live, raise families and do business. • empower individuals • overcome racism and other discrimination GUIDE Kentucky Needs Your Voice and Presence! • communicate a message of what’s possible • build the organization • help people participate • win issues that affect the common welfare • have fun table of contents KFTC membership dues are $15 to $50 Tips for using this publication, staying informed and active .................................. 3 per year, based on ability to pay. No one is A look at top justice issues in the 2020 legislative session ............................... 4­5 denied membership because of inability to pay. Membership is open to anyone who KFTC lobby days and actions ................................................................................................ 6 is committed to equality, democracy and 2020 General Assembly calendar ....................................................................................... 6 nonviolent change. What a day lobbying with KFTC at the capitol is like ................................................ 7 KFTC STEERING COMMITTEE Member Tips for effective grassroots lobbying ............................................................ 7 Cassia Herron, chairperson Legislators by county ........................................................................................................... 8­9 Alan Smith, vice chairperson Maps: Finding your representative in the Kentucky House .................................. 10 Rebecca Tucker, secretary­treasurer Fannie Madden­Grider, at­large member Kentucky House members: contact info, district, committees and more . 11­22 Meta Mendel Reyes, immediate past chair House committee meetings ...................................................................................................18 Chapter Representatives Tips for using the Toll­Free Legislative Message Line ...............................................18 Mikaela Curry, Big Sandy Tiffany Duncan, Central Kentucky Tips for writing to legislators ................................................................................................ 21 David Miller, Cumberland Good­to­have House phone numbers ............................................................................. 22 Carl Shoupe, Harlan County Connor Allen, Jefferson County House committee assignments ......................................................................................... 23 Alondra Barrera Garcia, Madison County Greta Elenbaas, Northern Kentucky Maps: Finding your senator in the Kentucky Senate ............................................... 24 Courtney Combs, Perry County Kentucky Senate members contact info, district, committees and more 25­29 Alvin Madden­Grider, Rowan County Amelia Cloud, Rolling Bluegrass Senate committee meetings ............................................................................................... 29 Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Finding and tracking legislation .......................................................................................... 29 Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky Jim Gearhart, Western Kentucky Senate committee assignments .......................................................................................... 30 Shannon Scott, Wilderness Trace Good­to­know Senate phone numbers .......................................................................... 30 Alternates: Emily Yoder, Big Sandy; Rachel Finding or calling legislators at the capitol .................................................................... 31 Norton, Central Kentucky; Stefanie Kingsley, Cumberland; Chase Gladson, Harlan County; How a Bill Becomes a Law in Kentucky ......................................................................... 32 Courtney Kearney, Jefferson County; Susan Haddix, Madison County; Paul Schwartz, Northern Kentucky; Bobby Duff, Perry County; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Kali Reagan, Rolling Bluegrass; Tammy Barrett, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; This legislative guide is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed Shannon Davis­Roberts, Western Kentucky; third class from Louisville. Feedback and requests for additional copies can be sent Eric Mount, Wilderness Trace to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, KY 41653 or [email protected]. 2020 General Assembly KFTC Legislative Guide | Page 3 Tips for using this publication, staying informed and active Direct communication with legislators is the most effective way to get them to cast an informed vote. Therefore, this publication is designed to provide as many ways possible (letters, phone calls, emails, social media, etc.) to contact lawmakers to offer opinions, encourage their informed and just vote, and to set up meetings. Also in the following pages is information about staying informed of legisla- tive activities. Knowing how legislators vote on certain issues, on what committees they serve, if they have a leadership position, what legislation is passed or defeated (or not given a hearing) and how to watch their proceedings all allow for more informed conversations with legislators. This publication is designed to be useful for grassroots lobbyists both during the 2020 Kentucky General Assembly and throughout the year. The tips below will make the information in the following pages easier to use. • Start by knowing who your legislators are. Every Kentucky resident is repre- sented by one state senator and one state representative. To find out which legislator represents a certain county, refer to the list on pages 8-9 and the maps on pages 10 and 24. Some counties are divided and have more than one representative or senator. In those counties, your local county clerk can give details on where the legislative district boundaries lie. You also can find detailed district maps at legislature.ky.gov/Public%20Services/GIS/Maps/Pag- KFTC on social media es/2013-Redistricting-Maps.aspx and chosing the “By District” link. FACEBOOK • The heart of this publication is the names, contact information and committee assignments of legislators. This provides many different ways to contact your www.KFTC.org/facebook legislators and know on what committees they have a voice and vote. We hope For chapter Facebook pages, you take advantage of all these opportunities and encourage others to do so. visit: www.kftc.org/links • Use the toll-free numbers found throughout to stay informed of the activi- ties of the General Assembly. Kentucky Educational Television has streaming INSTAGRAM video of House and Senate sessions, many committee hearings and nightly @kentuckiansforthecommonwealth broadcasts on the days the legislature is in session that summarize the day’s key votes or hearings (these are available and archived on its website: @jckftc @soky_kftc www.ket.org/legislature). @centralkentuckykftc • The Legislative Research Commission website is full of information (legisla- @northernky_kftc ture.ky.gov). You can read every bill and resolution that is filed and any action taken on legislation, including vote tallies. There are many additional re- TWITTER source, including a Bill Watch service that will send you notifications for any @KFTC @JCKFTC legislation you want to track. @NKY_KFTC @WT_KFTC • If you are not a member, join KFTC. Or renew your membership if it’s time. @ScottCoKFTC @SoKyKFTC You can do so with a gift of any size at kftc.org/support or use the form on page 5. Your donation supports our work in the General Assembly and across @MadCo_KFTC @VotingRightsKY Kentucky throughout the year. As a member you’ll receive regular updates and @EKY_KFTC @CanaryProject action alerts on KFTC’s legislative work and everything else we do. FLICKR www.flickr.com/photos/KFTCphotos KFTC Legislative Guide | Page 4 2020 General Assembly We Are Kentuckians: Choosing Each Other During the General Assembly Kentuckians know what our communities need to In 2019, despite herculean efforts to show that We’ll support bills that generate revenue, close tax thrive. It’s looking out for each other and treating each solar is working for all Kentuckians and putting Ken- loopholes that benefit corporations and the wealthy, other like neighbors. It’s a healthy democracy –