In spite of our best efforts, consensus on the Medicaid shortfall could not be reached with the Senate in the Regular Session, so the governor called the Kentucky General Assembly back into Special Session to make another attempt.

Republicans and Democrats in the Kentucky House of Representatives had worked diligently with the governor to shift funding from the Medicaid budget for 2012 to address the shortfall of this last three months of the 2011 fiscal year. This shifting of funds is necessary to save programs vital to our children, elderly, and disabled.

Answers to most frequently asked questions about this special session.

 To Friends of Education: Your support is needed to stop the Senate’s proposal to close a gap in the state’s Medicaid program on the backs of our school children and teachers.

Unfortunately, this very serious issue has become needlessly embroiled in politics, and if the state Senate has its way, it could mean cuts to your classroom.  That is why I am writing to you today.
          
You may remember that last spring, when the state’s two-year budget was finalized, the House and Senate made the assumption – as did more than two dozen other states – that we would receive an additional $238 million from the federal government for our Medicaid program.
          
 Kentucky did receive that amount, but Congress said that it had to be used for both Medicaid and education.  That left Medicaid $100 million short of expectations. Because this program requires state funding before a federal match is made, the deficit is actually much larger: It easily tops more than a half-billion dollars.

Over the course of the last week, the Kentucky House of Representatives honored fallen military members and their families in a solemn, moving ceremony in the House chamber.  This tradition began in 2004 and the service has become one of the most significant experiences of the session.

Thirteen Kentucky families were invited to the House this year to hear a citation about their loved one’s service as it was read to the entire body.  It is a fitting and important tribute to Kentuckians who have made the ultimate sacrifice so we can remain in a free and safe world.  We are forever indebted to these heroes and their families.

As we head into the final days of the regular session the House has passed several bills with the hope that the Senate will give them full consideration.

Rep. Owens participated in a solemn but important ceremony where families of our fallen military witnessed their loved ones being honored on the House floor. Pictured to the left is the family of Private 1st Class Michael S. Pridham during the honoring of our fallen military in the House Chamber.

The Youth Group from the Bates Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville visited me on February 17th. I enjoyed talking with the group and want to congratulate Dr. F. Bruce Williams, Sr. Pastor, for the great work he's doing with our young people.

Three years ago I began working with individuals and groups to halt the exorbitant interest rates payday lenders charge Kentuckians.  I joined with AARP, churches, civic groups, victims of payday lending, and many others to craft a bill that would cap the interest rate of payday loans at 36%.  I filed legislation every year and did not meet with success in getting a hearing on the bill - until this year.
 
House Bill 182 was heard in the House Banking and Insurance Committee Wednesday morning and we presented clear evidence of the debt trap and financial spiral Kentuckians suffer under the practice of predatory payday lending.

The pace has picked up significantly as we worked through the second week of the 2011 session. Hot topic legislation was discussed and passed through the House of Representatives, rallies advocating causes were held on the Capitol steps and in the Rotunda, and my colleagues and I hurried from committee obligations and meetings with constituents, staff and individuals, students and groups from my district.

The House passed several bills that have been at the top of our agenda for this session.

House Bill 305 is considered our budget adjustment bill that will help address the state's Medicaid shortfall. Specifically it would move $166.6 million from next year's Medicaid budget to this year's budget. The budget hole was caused in part because the two-year budget was built on the assumption that Kentucky would receive a higher federal match for Medicaid.

Rep. Darryl Owens calls for action on his House Bill 182

Rep. Darryl Owens was joined today by a statewide coalition of advocates seeking to protect Kentucky families from payday lenders’ 400% interest rates. 

“Today, we will reveal startling figures about the damage and pain payday lenders (many out-of-state) cause Kentuckians and the exploding profits this industry reaps,” said Rep. Owens.  “One of the most disturbing new facts is that 13.3% of transactions are made to seniors over 60 years old – who are using Social Security checks as collateral for payday loans.”

As we returned to Frankfort to resume the 2011 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, we are faced with issues that are as wide and varied as the monster snowstorm that cut through much of the United States this week.

Several bills have already passed through the House of Representatives and are on their way to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 121, which would outlaw synthetic street drugs called “bath salts” currently on sale at convenience stores and other venues, passed the House by a vote of 94-0.   This drug has been in Kentucky for some time and has become a threat to our young people’s health and safety.  It is reported to cause paranoia, violent behavior and suicidal thoughts which make this a highly dangerous drug.     

HB 166, which would require state parks to buy Kentucky agricultural products, passed the House by a vote of 92-0.  This legislation is intended to promote the sale of products under the Kentucky Proud Program at start resort parks, golf courses and other Department of Parks’ venues.

Rep. Owens had the honor of meeting Earl Francis Lloyd, right, who in 1950 became the first African-American to play in an NBA game with the Washington Capitols. He was also the first African-American to win an NBA Championship (1955 with Syracuse). Earl was instrumental in integrating professional basketball as a player and coach and paved the way for countless African Americans to participate and excel in basketball.

Rep. Owens attended the Simmons College of Kentucky and the University of Louisville's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in January 2011, entitled "Education is King" at St. Stephen Church this weekend. We were joined by Gov. Beshear, Mayor Fischer, Congressman John Yarmuth and Senator Rand Paul.

Rep. Owens is with Jefferson County legislators listening to a proposal about the US Marine Hospital collaboration in Portland. University of Louisville Provost Shirley Willinghanz, JCTCS President Tony Newberry, Family Health Center Director Bill Wagner and Marine Hospital Director John Cooper are working together to restore the old Marine Hospital and provide educational, health and job training services to Portland and Louisville West End residents.

I recently attended a meeting with Louisville Metro Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton in support of a petition for the Peter C. Doerhoefer House at 4422 West Broadway. It is a very worthy project and I was quite impressed.

Effort created in partnership with the Shawnee Neighborhood Association & the Shawnee Weed & Seed Program.

"I was honored to have Greg Heitzman, President and CEO of the Louisville Water Company, on the House floor Thursday, March 4. The House declared March 6 Louisville Water Company Day in Kentucky to recognize 150 years of quality service and its national prominence."

Rep. Darryl Owens participated in a rally with the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Lending which released a report about the impact of payday lending on Kentucky Counties. In Jefferson County alone there are 132 of these institutions that in 2008 loaned more than $168 million to 713,877 people who paid almost $30,000 in interest rates. Rep. Owens’ House Bill 381 would help Kentuckians by capping the interest rate – that soars to 400% annually for people who take out multiple loans – at 36%.

"We celebrated Black History Month in February on the Capitol Rotunda with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Justice William McAnulty, Kentucky’s first black judge. I was honored to attend and speak at this important and moving event."

Rep. Owens discussed his pre-filed legislation to delete the dueling language out of the official state oath of office at a November 17th Task force on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs meeting.

Reps. Jim Wayne and Darryl T. Owens today expressed opposition to the decision of new Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday directing schools to provide alternative activities for students whose parents object to a presidential address to schoolchildren that will be broadcast next week.

"I was honored to attend the dedication of the newly renovated Louis H. Coleman Jr. Community Center on Sunday, August 9, 2009. This is a wonderful asset to West Louisville, named in honor of a remarkable Louisvillian."

Throughout the 2009 session, your Jefferson County delegation worked together to see that Louisville’s priorities were included in the budget.

Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) presented $175,000 to Rep. Darryl Owens, (D-Louisville) and Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) as a first year federal grant for the Shawnee Weed and Seed Program.

Rep. Darryl Owens joined with members of the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Lending in calling for a cap on payday loan interest at a press conference February 8. On Thursday of the week before, Rep. Owens filed House Bill 381 which would limit the interest on payday loans to 36% in Kentucky. Currently payday lenders can charge $15 per $100 on a payday loan with a 14 day repayment term. When calculated on an annual basis this interest adds up to between 391 and 459%.

Rep. Darryl Owens, chair of the Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Inter-governmental Affairs Committee, answers media after a meeting on a proposed casino gaming constitutional amendment.

Rep. Darryl Owens has been elected to a two year term as chair of the Jefferson County legislative delegation. He replaces Rep. Joni Jenkins, (D-Shively). Elected as vice chairs were Rep. Ron Crimm, (R-Louisville) and Sen. Gerald Neal, (D-Louisville).

Rep. Darryl Owens participated in a luncheon/panel discussion with the Kentucky Retired State Employees group held at The Masonic Home in Louisville on October 10, 2007. Rep. Owens was joined by Kentucky Secretary of the Personnel Cabinet Brian Crall, Rep. Bob Deweese and retired University of Kentucky Head Basketball Coach, Joe B. Hall.