You Also Can Write A Bill

In short, I want to draft and sponsor some legislation .

Two bills for the Kentucky government to chew over. After some research, I have found that any citizen can indeed draft bills and only needs them to be sponsored by a Kentucky State Senator or Representative for it to become a genuine bill that has to be voted on.

If you’re older and remember Schoolhouse Rock, then it is just like that but on the Kentucky State level (or any other state level, really).

Kentucky has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to serving its citizens. Much of our legislation was written early on, adopted into law, and then expanded over time, without ever going back to plug the original holes. In the spirit of transparency and a more balanced approach, these bills would bridge the gap that has been left out of the law.

They would also go a long way toward promoting trust in our elected officials. Because, simply put, these bills would guarantee that our lawmakers are held in check by the voters who are voting them in.

The first bill would be on a local level. It would modify the Kentucky Constitution to allow for any citizen body of a local town, city, or government to hold recall elections. Any official could be subject to removal, and that seat would be vacated and a new election held.

There would be a requirement for the number of voters it would take before the process is started. For example, if an official is judged a detriment or not performing, a certain amount of signatures from the voting body could vacate that seat, and a new ballot vote would be held within a certain amount of time. This would happen outside of regular voting times, all based on the will of the voters.

Another part of this bill would ensure that in the case of an official stepping down, an impeachment, or any other reason a seat is vacated, the voters and only the voters, can appoint the replacement.

This stops a power-hungry council from making reckless choices that serve them but not the voting body. This first bill’s aim is to make sure the citizens are being served the best choice by holding officials truly accountable.

The second bill is also short, sweet, and to the point. Basically, it is a safeguard. Any State Representative or Senator would be responsible for reviewing the infrastructure of the towns they represent. This review would place that official in charge of making sure that the infrastructure in the towns they represent is safe and up to date.

This is not just a rubber stamp. It is meant to be a thorough and hands-on process. If something needs to be repaired, such as hydrant infrastructure or the pipes that supply water pressure to those hydrants, the state official would be responsible for making sure the town gets the funding and resources needed to fix it.

That seems to me like a no-brainer. If the town or towns represented are in need, then it feels completely natural for that higher official to spearhead the solution. The higher official that is only in that position because of their voters. Not that I’ll get an answer, but what do you think about that one, State Rep. Mark Hart?

Those are the two bills that I want to draft and find a sponsor for. Honestly, these are ground breaking bills that would only improve the playing field of Kentucky governance.

It seems to me that if an official, any official is not willing to promote these ideas or ideas like them, they may be more invested in self interest and agenda than progress.

What do you think? Do you like these ideas? Are there any other bills you think we should consider drafting for sponsorship?

It is imperative that each and every one of you realize and accept that the power is given from the people to the official. It is never and should never, be viewed any other way.

Whisper One Out