Opinion

Dear Senator Higdon (and other Kentucky Republican Senators):

By Ron Perry

Guest Columnist

Editor’s note: Ron Perry is a Lebanon resident. What follows is his proposal for using casino gaming revenue to support the Kentucky’s horse industry.

Under this proposal, profits from expanded gaming would be divided between casinos, the Kentucky United Horse Association and programs to aid the poor and disabled. 

Early last month, just a few days into the 2013 Regular Session, Governor Beshear and numerous state legislators from both parties gathered in support of a major building initiative for many of our public four-year universities.

By Dr. Chuck Hamilton
Marion County Superintendent

Benchmarks: the scores colleges say students need to be successful at the post-secondary level.
How are we doing?

Last week was significant as the first piece of legislation for the 2013 General Assembly was signed into law.

Early last month, just a few days into the 2013 Regular Session, Governor Beshear and numerous state legislators from both parties gathered in support of a major building initiative for many of our public four-year universities.

In the Feb. 6 edition of The Lebanon Enterprise, there was a mistake in the story about David Ray Clarkson Jr.’s struggle with mental illness. The story stated that in Kentucky if you have a Medicaid card it will pay for mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment, but not both. Actually, Medicaid pays for mental health treatment, but not substance abuse treatment.

In a 30-day “short session” like this year, it’s difficult for both chambers to fully consider the hundreds of bills that have been filed. However, over the last two weeks, the Senate has taken early action on major legislation, giving the House more time to study those bills.
This week the Senate passed important bills addressing school safety, the state’s General Fund debt, economic development and healthcare.

First of all I would like to say I’m very grateful to Tammy and April Lawson for having the courage to step up and tell their story of their loved one David Ray Clarkson Jr. I am truly sorry for their loss.
My story is a lot like their story. I have a family member who is going through the same thing as David did. There seems to be no help for them out there. We don’t have facilities for the mentally challenged and they definitely need help. They don’t just need to be thrown into jail, which only makes it worse. They need to be rehabilitated.