You are receiving this email because of a request you made for public policy information. If you wish to no longer receive future publications, please refer to the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of the page. If you are having problems viewing this email, click here to view it on our web site.

United Way of Kentucky

United Ways join cigarette tax coalition

The United Way of Kentucky and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky have joined the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association and others to support the possible cigarette tax increase.

HB 443 would increase Kentucky's cigarette tax by 70 cents per pack, reduce smoking and generate more than $200 million in new revenue to help balance the budget and fund vital health care programs.

Click to view the Tobacco Tax Resolution and join the coalition.

Continued funding for HANDS, reassured

On Thursday, February 21 a small group of stakeholders presented testimony on HANDS to the Budget Review Sub-Committee for Human Resources.

Bridgett Ramsey, from United Way of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, was there to support the testimony making a clear case that there is a need for expansion, but given the budget situation the objective was to secure the Kids Now funds from redistribution.

Supporters were told by Chairman Lee that the House Budget will include an expansion for HANDS of the proposed budget includes $1.5 million in additional funding each year of the biennium, resulting in a $3 million dollar total expansion. Representative Lee said that the funds were coming from Tobacco Settlement dollars that were more than projected. He says the increase is approximately 20 percent over current funding.

Thanks to Bridgett Ramsey for posting this update. Bridgett and other supporter's next step is to present before the Northern Kentucky Caucus on March 1. The objective is to educate our Senators about the benefits of an expansion in HANDS.

Click on the link provided to contact your legislators by email and encourage them to support an expansion of the HANDS program.

Cybersafety Legislation Passes House 94-0

Legislators in the House of Representatives overwhelming passed Attorney General Jack Conway and Representative Johnny Bell's cybersafety legislation by a vote of 94 to 0. House Bill 367 has been moved to the Senate's Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 367 contains the following provisions to strengthen or amend current Kentucky laws:

Social-networking sites with children will be off limits to sex offenders
Sex offenders must register changes in email address
Creates searchable database of registered sex offender email addresses and online identifiers
Recognizes stalking can take place in person and online
Clarifies that it is a crime to transmit sexually explicit images to a child via webcam
Allows prosecutors and police to seize cars or computers used in the commission of online sexual offenses against children
Trained personnel may lay groundwork for online predator stings

"Many nonprofits use tremendous energies to help people, but all too often do not go after the underlying problems. This is where advocacy comes in...A simple phone call to a policymaker can make a huge difference."

- NP Action

________________________

Links of Interest

UWKY Public Policy

To be a strong advocate, United Way of Kentucky continues to take the lead on core issues, remains a strong coalition partner, and lends our organizational endorsement as needed on legislative matters.

NP Action

Provides tools and information for non-profit advocacy.

Bill Watch

This free legislative tracking service which enables registered users unlimited tracking of legislation during the Kentucky Legislative Session.

Legislative Record Online News and information during the Regular Sessions is updated nightly.

Email Sponsored By:

The "Constant Contact Cares4Kids" program supports educational and social non-profit organizations that help children. Learn more about the Cares4Kids program.

More than 150,000 small businesses and organizations trust Constant Contact to connect with their customers and members. Signup for a free 60-day trial.

Forward email
This email was sent to terry.tolan@uwky.org, by allison.perkins@uwky.org Update Profile/Email Address \| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ \| Privacy Policy.
United Way of Kentucky \| 334 East Broadway, Suite 308 \| P.O. Box 4653 \| Louisville \| KY \| 40204