Feb. 28 set for Voter Rights Lobby in Frankfort

LWV joins other groups in urging legislators to reform the way voting rights are restored to convicted felons who have served their time. On Feb. 28, people from around the state will be coming out to rally in support of HB 70, the restoration of voting rights amendment.

If you can be in Frankfort on Feb. 28, join us in Room 111 of the Capitol Annex from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. where we will be coordinating lobbying teams and providing brief trainings on how to lobby. Please try to arrive early. If you can't help with lobbying, please try to attend the afternoon rally.

The rally will be held in the Capitol Rotunda at 1:30 p.m. Speaking there will be former felons who have been affected by disenfranchisement, members of the faith community, and state legislators.

If you cannot be in Frankfort on Feb. 28, but wish to urge legislators to vote in favor of the amendment, please take this opportunity to call or leave a message for your representative.

House Bill 70 is currently awaiting a vote on the floor of the House and has had several floor amendments attached to it which qualfiy and weaken the original measure. We need you to leave a message for your own representative, Speaker Richards, and House Majority Leader Adkins on the Legislative Message Line,1-800-372-7181.

Here are Madison County's representatives:
Rep. Harry Moberly (Richmond area and a co-sponsor of the bill)
Rep. Lonnie Napier (Berea and south Madison)
Rep. Don Pasley (Winchester and north Madison)

Message: "Please pass HB 70 through the House without any floor amendments"

The Message Line is open 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday.

Local LWV members rally for Mountains

Elizabeth Crowe and Annriette Stolte joined hundreds in "I Love Mountains" Day rally in Frankfort Feb. 14. Photo by Jeanne Hibberd

The rally was a rousing success, LWV members report. "Lots of people showed up, including a large contingent from Madison County," said Jeanne Hibberd. "We met briefly with Reps. Don Pasley and Lonnie Napier and thanked them for sponsoring/cosponsoring HB 164, the Stream Saver Bill. "

However, the bill has been sitting in the House Natural Resource & Environment Committee since Jan. 9. It would regulate "overburden" or the rock or soil overlying a mineral deposit and how it is handled by surface mine operators.

For more information, see Kentuckians for the Commonwealth
http://www.kftc.org/