Fall GOP Events

Mark Your Calendars for these Autumn GOP Events

Wednesday October 8 
11:30 am GOP Candidate Meet & Greet at the Hopkinsville Community College Auditorium 

Wednesday October 8
4:15 pm Senator Mitch McConnell Rally at GOP HQ at the Kroger Plaza, Hopkinsville (a great chance to pick up yard signs, bumper stickers and to sign up to volunteer!)


Thursday October 9 
6:30 pm Monthly GOP Meeting at GOP HQ at Kroger Plaza, Hopkinsville (another great chance to pick up yard signs, bumper stickers and to sign up to volunteer!)

Sunday October 12
4:30 pm Rand Paul's Barnburner
Donnelly Barn 1344 Gavin Lane Bowling Green — REGISTER HERE!!

Saturday October 18
11:30 am GOP Chili Lunch at GOP HQ and door knocking in Hopkinsville 

Tuesday October 28
Big GOP Rally in Hopkinsville
Details To Be Announced

Saturday November 1
6:00 pm Annual Ronald Reagan Round Up Dinner at the beautiful Sugar Grove Carriage House — Another chance to meet your candidates face to face, and hear directly from them!

Statewide Testing Results

Testing scores from the 2013-2014 school year have been released for schools statewide.  I've pulled the results for the 3rd District from the Courier-Journal's online database and included them below.

These scores represent a whole lot of effort and study from our students, but they couldn't perform at these levels without the hard work and tireless dedication of our teachers — thank those you know or see today!

Click here (http://datacenter.courier-journal.com/projects/2014-kentucky-public-school-test-results/?sf31899164=1) for the C-J data center to search for another county, or compare various counties.

To understand the scoring, I've  included the C-J's brief description here:

Under the Unbridled Learning review, schools receive an overall score of 1-100 based on their achievement in key areas. They then receive a percentile rank among elementary, middle and high schools statewide. They are also judged on whether they met their goal score and receive a classification status — Needs Improvement, Proficient or Distinguished — and whether they are progressing.

Shining a Light

Data reported by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in 2013, with the most current data available. Click the image to download the full report in PDF.

I've written before about the condition known as NAS, or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, which is diagnosed when a child is born drug dependent because of their mother's substance abuse during the pregnancy.  A recent report by the Lexington Herald-Leader draws further attention to this growing problem - and it is a growing problem.

As you can see from just a cursory look at the report at right, the occurrence of NAS is climbing quickly, and until now we only had data through 2011.  For reasons I have yet to uncover, a statute passed in 2013 closed the door to this data, preventing the anonymized statistics of these cases from being disclosed to the public, thereby concealing the growing problem and the need to help these children and their families.

Well, no more.  The moment I learned of that 2013 statute I went to work on a bill to fix it.  That bill draft was filed this year (2014) and became Senate Bill 47, allowing the anonymous data related to NAS diagnoses to be shared with the public, including policy makers in the Legislative and Executive branches, so that going forward we can make the best, well-informed decisions.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a ceremonial bill signing for SB 47 with the Governor. (Click the image to enlarge).

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While SB47 was an important first step, I will continue to work on legislation aimed at protecting and helping the most vulnerable Kentuckians – especially the unborn and the newborn who have no control over their own lives yet stand to suffer the most from substance abuse.  

Be watching in 2015 as I continue this fight!

Taking Applications

For the first time since taking office I'm creating an intern position (unpaid, I'm afraid) within my Senate office, open to an interested high school senior or college student.

This position would be part time and include various clerical tasks associated with the office, attendance at public events in the District (or elsewhere in Kentucky), research, writing, photography/videography and (if your schedule/location permits) time in Frankfort for more of the same during the 2015 Regular Session.

Conservative or Republican candidates are required.  You'll be face to face with my political work — and helping me — so if my beliefs and priorities will cause you discomfort, then perhaps this position isn't for you.

Other skills of importance:

• Computer/Web proficiency
• Word processing
• Presentation software proficiency (Keynote, PowerPoint)
• Camera operation (still/video)
• Social Media proficiency

Finally, confidentiality is paramount as you'll likely learn of legislation that is not yet (or may never be) made public, or be around political discussions. Discretion is key.  I must be able to trust you. Failure on this point could harm important legislation or my ability to serve my constituents, and will absolutely have an adverse impact on your position with me.

If this sounds like something that interests you or a child/student of yours, please contact me here to schedule an interview.  Personal and/or professional references are welcome.