Finding cost savings key to budget development

2-12-10

FRANKFORT – As another week ended in Frankfort, the session continued to be dominated by budget talks and meetings designed to shore up the projected $1 billion-plus shortfall in our state’s upcoming budget.  Unlike most families and businesses that create a spending plan to match their available income, governments often calculate all the spending needs and then try to create a revenue plan to match spending.  This year, I am hopeful that things will be different. More

Opportunity to improve education system missed

1-29-10

... It is no longer a question of if, but when, Kentucky will throw off the grip of the education establishment and allow true reform into our public schools.  It is important to emphasize here that charter schools are public schools and will not take away from public school funding.  In the meantime, we continue to partner with perennial education “giants” such as West Virginia and Alabama in pushing away charter schools.  If you want to learn more about charter schools in Kentucky, please visit:  putkidsfirstky.org. More

Montell to seek fifth term

11-24-09 SentinelNews.com

State Rep. Brad Montell (R-Shelbyville) is seeking his fifth term in the 58th District, which includes Shelby and Spencer counties. ... He has served four consecutive terms and says he consistently has worked to limit government intrusion, to reduce spending and taxes and to maintain pro-family and pro-life values. More

Bills seek to bring charter schools to Kentucky

10-19-09 Courier-Journal.com

The idea of charter schools has long failed to gain traction in Kentucky — but that could be changing. ...“I think it’s the year for us,” said state Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, who announced Monday that he had filed a bill to allow the creation of state-funded charters dubbed “public school academies,” which he said would provide an alternative to failing schools. ... More

Bills seek to bring charter schools to Kentucky

10-19-09 Courier-Journal.com

The idea of charter schools has long failed to gain traction in Kentucky — but that could be changing. ...“I think it’s the year for us,” said state Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, who announced Monday that he had filed a bill to allow the creation of state-funded charters dubbed “public school academies,” which he said would provide an alternative to failing schools. ... More

Montell prefiles bill to create charter schools

10-20-09 SentinelNews.com

State Rep. Brad Montell (R-Shelbyville) is a fan of charter schools. Too bad Kentucky law does not allow for them. "Charter schools are usually among the top performer in school districts," he said in a press release. "These high performers are setting important examples about what public schools can achieve, often with under-served students." More

Montell prefiles to change retirement plan for state legislators

10-5-09

For years Kentucky Retirement Systems has been falling into a hole, and State Rep. Brad Montell (R-Shelbyville) says it’s time to make some tough decisions to bring it out. One thing he wants the state to look at is Bill Request 86, which he prefiled for the 2010 session. The bill would change the retirement plan for legislators elected on or after July 1, 2011. More

Rep. Montell pushes to move bypass construction forward

7-9-09

(Letter to the Transportation Cabinet) I am writing you today to express my great concern over the lack of progress on the construction of the Shelbyville Bypass project. ... Five years is entirely too long for our residents to have to wait for their yards, farms and roads to be restored, not to mention the importance of providing a bypass. ... More

Rep. Montell works to help defeat federal "cap and trade" legislation

6-29-09

... According to an MSNBC article on Feb. 26, 2009, "the federal government will soon begin tapping into a huge new source of revenue... By 2012 the Treasury will be collecting $78.6 billion in new revenue from carbon emissions permits." The cost of these permits will drive fuel prices and electricity prices to unprecedented levels. Mor

House passes slots; Senate says no

6-23-09 from SentinelNews.com

Gov. Steve Beshear's proposal to allow video slot machines in the state's racetracks appears to be a bad bet to make it through this special session of the General Assembly.

... Calling the vote against slots his “toughest in seven years,” Montell said he voted against the bill because he thinks it is bad policy to fund the state with gaming revenues and because of the constitutional questions surrounding the House measure. More

Rep. Montell supports motorcycle and scooter ride-to-work day

6-12-09

During the 2009 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, State Representative Brad Montell sponsored a resolution to recognize the 18th annual Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day. House Resolution 145 declared Monday, June 15, 2009 as Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day across the Commonwealth and recognized the positive effects that motorcycles have on the environment and Kentucky. More

Session will tackle budget shortfall, slots

6-9-09 from SentinelNews.com

Gov. Steve Beshear has called the General Assembly into special session next week, and legislators will be asked to do some fixing: fix a budget shortfall, fix the state's horse industry, fix bridges and fix the state's programs and incentives for attracting businesses.

The Governor's office is estimating a budget deficit of nearly $1 billion, which he will propose to repair, at least in part, with just more than $700 million in federal stimulus dollars. The rest of the “fix” will come from budget cuts. More