Mayfield speaks at AARP

Published 11:07 am Thursday, April 13, 2017

AARP Chapter 632 met Tuesday at at the James B. Allen Generations Center. Betty Ballard gave the invocation. Prayer was requested for Joyce Barnes whose brother passed away. A moment of silence was observed in loving memory of Janice Manley.

Chapter President Elizabeth Gay presided.

State Rep. Donna Mayfield (R) addressed the group and summarized recent legislative work that started in January and ended March 30. Many bills were passed in the Kentucky General Assembly that will affect different areas of our lives. Several of those include the following:

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— House Bill 1, the so-called “right to work,” law will make Kentucky more competitive on the national level. It allows employees to enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining without having to join a union.

— House Bill 74, termed the “blue light bill,” was introduced by Mayfield. It prohibits any vehicles not designated to handle emergencies from using blue lights for any purpose.

— House Bill 128 allows students to take an elective Bible course, and students may express their religious and political beliefs in school, etc.

— House Bill 333 would increase felony penalties for those who illegally deal in fentanyl and any drugs derived from fentanyl. This bill also makes it a felony to deal in drugs derived from fentanyl as well as carfentanil, which is used as an elephant tranquilizer.

— House Bill 520 allows the establishment of charter schools. Clark County will probably not have any charter schools in the foreseeable future, however.

— Senate Bill 5 prohibits abortion after a woman reaches the 20th week of pregnancy.

Representative Mayfield discussed other bills as well, and noted there would be another session in September. She fielded questions from the audience. 23 members and guests were present.

The next meeting of AARP will be at 6 p.m. April 25.

AARP tax preparers will be honored and the Rev. Kenny Speakes of Mount Zion Christian Church will be the featured speaker.

About Whitney Leggett

Whitney Leggett is managing editor of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. To contact her, email whitney.leggett@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0049.

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