Letter: Transparency through time is legislation worth rushing through

This letter was published in the Courier-Journal on Thursday, June 20, 2013.

Have you noticed that state lawmakers find themselves in gridlock, completely incapable of swift action in every arena of policy except when it comes to spending your hard-earned money to line their own pockets?

For instance, the 2011 General Assembly deliberated for months about allowing Kentuckians to continue purchasing over-the-counter cold medications for their families without a doctor’s prescription. However, in 2005, HB 299 — which greatly increased legislators’ pension benefits — was rushed through the entire legislature in a single day.

Any reasonable person would agree that politicians should spend more time debating the Commonwealth’s biennial budget or its huge unfunded public-pension liabilities than arguing about liberty-busting measures involving cold medication. Imagine if all proposed legislation enhancing politicians’ personal benefits was deliberated for two consecutive legislative sessions before votes were cast. That extra time would allow for thorough vetting of bills, not only by legislators but also by taxpayers, media and policy experts. Rushing through legislation enhancing part-time state legislators’ benefits screams: “We are hiding something, and you won’t like what you find.”

Kentucky taxpayers should demand that the General Assembly require at least two consecutive sessions for any policy that enhances legislators’ benefits. That’s the kind of legislation worth rushing.

LOGAN MORFORD

Vice President

Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

Lexington, Ky. 40504