Lawmakers facing special session

Local News

Discussion

April 3, 2007

Siler expecting call from governor

Anonymous The Times-Tribune Tue Apr 03, 2007, 09:04 AM EDT

By Fred Petke / Staff Writer

Legislators may be returning to Frankfort to take a second run at timely legislation, including economic funding for the communities around Lake Cumberland.

State Rep. Charlie Siler (R-Williamsburg) said he thought Gov. Ernie Fletcher could call the session prior to the May primary, but things are still being negotiated with the legislature’s leaders.

“He has served notice we will be called back,” Siler said.

At the top of the list will be the coal severance funding which was vetoed last year and died this year after a teacher funding clause was tacked on, he said. The state pension system was on the list as well with $25 million in economic support for towns that rely on tourist traffic from Lake Cumberland, he said.

The dam that formed the lake needs to be repaired and the water level has been lowered to accommodate that. Lower water means better fishing, Siler said, but makes it more dangerous for boaters. Boat ramps, also, won’t be long enough to reach the water, he said, like one on Bee Creek and in Bald Rock in southern Whitley County. Other communities may not be able to draw water from the lake to serve its residents, he said.

“They’re essential to our economy,” Siler said. “The Corps of Engineers is bearing the cost of the dam repairs. “There’s a lot of work to do.”

The coal severance money is still sitting in escrow in the state’s hands, he said, and allocating the money will likely be on the agenda should the General Assembly be called for a special session.

Leftover from this year’s session are preparations for the World Equestrian Games, which will be in Lexington in October 2010.

When the session will be called is still being debated. Siler said Senate President David Williams, who also represents Whitley County, suggested reaching a contempt agreement with Fletcher before calling the session. In theory, it will speed the session and the process along and make it more productive, he said. If so, the work could be completed in a matter of days.

Fred Petke can be reached at fpetke@thetimes tribune.com.

Text Only

Local News

Police search for suspect in highway beating
It was called by some as “road rage,” but Barbourville Police say last Saturday evening’s fight at a city intersection was definitely an assault. And they are still looking for the man who police say threw the first punch.

May 24, 2012
Woman gets five years for drugs
In U.S. Federal Court Wednesday, Heather A. Collins, who was called by Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove as a “kind of leader for the group,” was sentenced to five years after using prescription forms to acquire various drugs.

May 24, 2012
Father, son rearraigned for meth charges
A son and father were rearraigned Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in London.

May 24, 2012
Hounds hold on
Corbin Coach Rob Ledington rolled the dice after his Redhounds took a 6-0 lead, but it paid off with an 8-7 win over Whitley County as Corbin advanced to the 50th District Championship tonight with an ace up their sleeve.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Drugs suspected in fatal Knox County crash
Drug use may have been a factor in a crash Monday in Knox County in which an 11-year-old boy was killed, according to Kentucky State Police Post-10 Harlan Public Affairs Officer Trooper Shane Jacobs and Sgt. Jimmy Young.

May 23, 2012
Marie Rader wins 89th Rep. District Primary
Republican Marie Rader won the primary election for the 89th District House of Representatives.

May 23, 2012
Barton wins another circuit court clerk term
Whitley County voters went with experience when it came to electing the next circuit court clerk, choosing incumbent Gary Barton, according to unofficial election results.

May 23, 2012
Bunch victor in 82nd House District
For incumbent State Representative Regina Petrey Bunch, the votes came in bunches Tuesday night.

May 23, 2012
Voter turnout higher than expected
The election day ran fairly smooth in Whitley, with the exception of several precincts losing power briefly and a few complaints regarding signs being too close to polling places.

May 23, 2012
Kenneth S. Stepp to face Hal Rogers in fall
Two Democrats, Kenneth S. Stepp, of Clay County, and Micheal Ackerman, of Rowan County, running for the Fifth Congressional District ran a heads-together race in the 30-county district.

May 23, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Lawmakers facing special session

Siler expecting call from governor

Site Map

Contact Us