It’s looking like the Kentucky House won’t get a budget to the Senate before the end of the month, which had been the hope when the 2020 session of the General Assembly began.
Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke serves on the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee and says expect a budget to pass the full House in early March.
Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County is hoping a budget makes it to the upper chamber sooner rather than later, as legislators want to have time to reserve their right to override any potential vetoes by Governor Andy Beshear.
Meanwhile, House Bill 1 was approved Friday on a 58-32 vote in the House. It reforms how Kentucky provides low-income cash assistance, food assistance, and certain Medicaid benefits to its citizen.
Those with earnings between 138-200 percent of the federal poverty level who no longer qualify for Medicaid because of increased income, but who otherwise qualify for Medicaid, could participate in a state health insurance option under the legislation.
Representative Walker Thomas of Hopkinsville says it’s about incentivizing some recipients of Medicaid to work without fear of losing coverage.
Dossett says it will hopefully help recipients make a better life for themselves.
The measure also removes the option to receive cash back from an EBT transaction and requires EBT recipients to make healthier selections with their benefits. Individuals who receive EBT and Medicaid benefits would have a single card.
That bill now heads to the Senate and it received the support of all local members of the House.
Hear legislators discuss these issues and others during our weekly Legislative Update program Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.