Policy Together

In 2013, I was invited to tour one of the elementary schools in my district by one of their teachers.  She had the assignment to reach out to her state legislators to get them involved.  Fast forward to 2016, and that teacher and I have become good friends that rely on one another when making decisions on public policy involving education and educators.

A few months ago I was invited once again by my friend, Mrs. Cassie Reding, to come visit some students and experience their classroom environment, and then to sit down for an interview about the impact of working together.  I was happy to participate, and (as always) thoroughly enjoyed my time in the classroom.  Kids were testing egg-drop contraptions, discovering and experimenting with oobleck, learning about light and heat energy using a radiometer, measuring and cutting wood to build a raised garden, and looking up local animal habitats.  I could stayed there all day!

During the interview, however, we were asked about the importance of building a relationship between educators and legislators, and importantly, spending time in each others' shoes.  Mrs. Reding and her husband Conrad (also a teacher) have been to the Capitol in Frankfort several times to discuss policies and to observe the process.  Its not nearly as fun as making oobleck, but the exchange of experience and perspective is what really matters.  This shared exchange – Policy Together – is what is so important.  Mrs. Reding and others have begun an initiative to foster these relationships across Kentucky, and I could't agree more with that goal.  I encourage every member of the legislature, and every teacher, to sign up.  Ignore party labels.  Ignore preconceived notions.  Just be willing to listen and learn from each other.

Are you a teacher interested in getting involved?

Hard Fought Victory

Senate Bill 200, overhauling Kentucky's juvenile code to achieve better outcomes for kids and save taxpayer money in the process has seen final passage in the Senate. Following original Senate passage at 32-6 and House passage of 84-15, the Senate concurred with minor changes made in the House Judiciary Committee and voted a final time 30-8, sending the bill to the Governor's desk. 

Big, comprehensive reforms take a Herculean effort. I didn't have a full grasp of that truth until today. Under the best of circumstances it still takes time to get input from all stakeholders, shape the policy draft, vet the policy through stakeholders again (rinse and repeat) until you finally have a bill to file.  After the bill is filed the other legislators have to be brought up to speed on the topic enough to make an informed decision to support it with their vote.  These two steps alone make up the bulk of legislative effort.

Senate Bill 200 was not an example of "the best of circumstances."  Indeed, because the bill touches all three branches of government, two Executive Cabinets and multiple departments within them, and was the largest overhaul in three decades.  We were bound to run into reluctance to change, and we did.  Having said that, there is an important thread that you can find throughout the fabric of SB200: the will to change.  Still more important is the motivation for that will, the best interest of Kentucky's children.   We (myself included) had to dig down, to tap wells of patience, calm, energy and concentration.

The official jacket of SB200 moments after enrollment in the Senate, bearing the signature of Senate President Stivers before heading to the Speaker, then the Governor.

I may eventually provide a more detailed story of just what exactly we had to go through, including absurd email blasts accusing the bill, and me as it's sponsor, of being a "Trojan horse" for the United Nations (I'm still stunned by absurdity of that one).

I will simply and proudly report that the bill has seen final passage, and as of this writing, already sits on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature.