Kentucky House Democrats outline legislative agenda focused on families
Minority party proposes $110 million for food security, affordable housing initiatives
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Members of the minority party in the Kentucky House of Representatives outlined their agenda for the legislative session Thursday.
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From housing to health care to better wages, Democrats say they want what’s best for Kentucky families.
A dozen Democrats in the Kentucky House said they are going to push for an agenda called a “common vision for the commonwealth.” Democratic floor leader Pamela Stevenson says the five items they will be pushing come from what they are hearing from the people.
Key proposals include food security and housing
They are proposing more than $110 million across the two-year budget for food security. Most of that will offset cuts to SNAP. They are also asking for several health care initiatives.
They are pushing for affordable housing, including $100 million in an affordable housing loan fund. In addition they want the minimum wage increased eventually to $17 an hour and higher taxes for people who earn more than $600,000 a year.
Lawmakers say there are some things that can find support with the majority party, including housing help.
“People need houses. 200,000 or more houses are needed today. And the more we do to make sure Kentuckians have a place to call home, the longer they will be here, the more they will work and the more we will prosper,” said Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington.
House Speaker Rep. David Osborne says the legislature has worked on housing initiatives in the past and will continue to do so.
“I think clearly we established housing as an issue intent on tackling by authorizing the task force on housing,” said Osborne, R-Prospect.
Democratic lawmakers also say there is growing support across the nation for medical debt relief and are proposing a bill to limit the interest rate on medical debt.
House Republicans have not had a news conference to lay out their agenda since the session began.
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