As 2019 comes to a close, I’d like to extend warm wishes and sincere hope that you and your loved ones enjoy a holiday season in good health and full of happiness. Just as the eve of “the most wonderful time of year” is upon us, so is the 2020 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
During this time of festivity and hope, it is all too often that we forget the true reason for the Season, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. Jesus was sent not only as a savior but also as a teacher. A common theme throughout the New Testament is helping others, especially those who are less fortunate. In many ways, protecting the less fortunate is what drove me to public service. We have seen many people driven to the depths of poverty and despair in Eastern Kentucky over the last several years with the economic downturn in the coal industry. The loss of jobs has often led to a loss of hope and has caused many people to leave this region, while it has caused others to make poor choices like turning to drugs. This Christmas Season, I encourage everyone to reach out and help someone in need whether that is through a donation of money or a donation of their time. By helping others, we are truly doing the Lord’s work.
It was a momentous year for the General Assembly as we continued to build on the momentum created by the Republican Majority over the past several years with the passage of important legislation ensuring the safety of our schools, legislation protecting our Second Amendment rights in the Commonwealth, providing pension relief for our quasi-governmental entities and regional universities, and continued to defense of the unborn. Though we have a new Governor, my priority of bringing investment and development to Eastern Kentucky while protecting our conservative values remain the same.
During the interim session, my colleagues and I worked diligently to finalize our policy goals for the upcoming 60-day budget session, which will begin on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. The interim joint committees, working groups, and task forces spent months listening to testimony on the crucial issues facing Kentucky. I’d like to personally express my gratitude to each and every one of you who reached out, provided input, or testified before the General Assembly this past year. Your assistance was crucial and truly helped guide us as we finalize our legislative priorities for the 60-day session.
I look forward to being home in my district with friends and family to enjoy the holidays and spend more time with my constituents. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be well, and I look forward to hearing from you in 2020.
If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Phillip.Wheeler@LRC.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov
