SB 150 is a bill that restricts all types of gender affirming care, including mental health care and reversible puberty blockers. It is beneath the dignity of the Commonwealth--the people of Kentucky deserve better.
"Hillbilly Elegy doesn’t show the positive side of Appalachia that my aunt and I know, because that wouldn’t serve the story’s purposes." Thanks to the
@TheAtlantic
for publishing my thoughts on Hilbilly Elegy!
Today I went down to the EMW clinic to better understand the need for a safety zone. I parked where patients park, and made the same very long walk those accessing healthcare make. I was followed and shouted at by the same people they are. We need a safety zone.
#YestoLouSafety
Every time
@JDVance1
–author of Hillbilly Elegy—says something ignorant, sales of
#HillWomen
spike. And the size of the spike usually correlated to the degree of the ignorance. It’s been a big spike this week, y’all.
Today I knocked on my last door before the special election. Over the past months, I’ve talked to voters from the Highlands to Highview. It’s been an honor to hear your vision for Kentucky, and I’m asking for your vote tomorrow so we can build big change together.
To all of the young people who showed up at the Capitol today to speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation: we were honored to stand with you this morning, and we will keep standing with you against hate and discrimination.
I feel physically ill this morning thinking about all the kids, parents, relatives, and community members that will unnecessarily suffer because grown adults put politics over public health and removed the universal school mask requirement. It’s overwhelming.
Today, I gave my first floor speech, speaking out against legislation that unfairly targets the LGBTQ community. To the LGBTQ members of our community: I see you, I support you, and I will use my platform to fight for you.
See those yellow lines? The city’s first safety zone is now in place outside EMW. These simple lines will help people access healthcare safely. Thanks to Public Works for a great job on the installation.
Hi folks! We know the cows loose in Cherokee Park is exciting, but please stay away from the scene. All the people/vehicles are spooking the cows and causing them to disperse—making it harder to safely contain them. Metro is working to safely contain the animals.
I am heartbroken, I am angry, I am scared, I am praying. I love my city, and I will work with anyone and everyone to pass policies to protect us from this violence.
This morning I stood with some great partners to announce that I'm filing an ordinance to provide legal counsel to low-income families with children facing eviction.
Today I filed my first legislation (via amendments to pending bills)! SB 218 is now a bill to waive the sales tax on diapers and SB 242 is a bill to require insurers to cover the costs of lead poisoning in children.
For everyone following the Cherokee Park cows, an update: as of 2pm today there is still one cow on the loose. Metro has brought in specialists to try to contain the cow. If you see it, please call 911.
Today I passed my first bill out of the Senate! SB 240 ensures that Kentucky foster families who are working remotely are able to qualify for childcare support. Thank you to my Senate colleagues, and on to the House!
Today I filed for Kentucky Senate to do the work to support working families throughout our state. I need your help to keep this seat blue on February 21.
Donate:
Learn more:
Our tax dollars should not be used to silence survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault. That's why today I was proud to stand with renowned attorney Vanessa Cantley and The Center for Women and Families CEO Elizabeth Wessels-Martin to announce a new ordinance. 1/3
Researchers at the
@universityofky
say that pre-k lowers crime rates, decreases child abuse and neglect, and would save the Commonwealth $5 for every $1 invested.
#investinkids
This ordinance would prohibit organizations that receive large financial incentives from Metro government--like Louisville Racing FC--from entering into nondisclosure agreements to cover up sexual harassment and sexual assault. 2/3
Pray for eastern Kentucky tonight. My family in Owsley County is safe. But they are expecting more rain tonight. People are scared. The roads are closed and they can’t get to doctors appointments. They are a tough, generous, self-reliant people. But tonight they need our prayers.
Did you know that there have only been 27 women who have served in the Kentucky State Senate? When I was sworn in, we officially broke the record for most women serving at once, with 9 women out of 38 members. This
#womenshistorymonth
, my colleague
@KYHarperAngel
passed a
As a former legal aid attorney, it was special to me to have this be the first ordinance that I filed. I am so thrilled it passed council tonight. Thank you to my cosponsors
@jecoreyarthur
@BillHollander
@CWHoltonStewart
and CW Shanklin.
@TheNCCRC
Last time I ran a half marathon I had no kids, no legislative responsibilities, and all the time in the world to train. Today’s race was a lot slower and a lot more painful—but crossing the finish line felt even better!
Yesterday, the Kentucky Senate passed a bill that would undo key pieces of Louisville's fair housing law. I will always vote against bills that hurt our most vulnerable neighbors.
It's official! Today I stood in my backyard, surrounded by my family, and took the oath of office to become the councilperson representing District 8. It is an honor to be able to serve, and I am so excited to work with you all to create positive change in our community.
As someone who has to share an office building with
@CMPiagentini
, and has two kids who are too young to be vaccinated, I find it concerning he thinks personal liberty in this context is more important than following public health guidance.
I am vaccinated and I encourage everyone who it is right for to get vaccinated as well. With that said, put this order in the column of “I will not comply”. We have completely lost perspective on the limited reasons we should infringe on freedoms.
Survivors have the option to protect their identity and any identifying information, but companies can't sign NDAs with perpetrators or other employees. Seventeen states have enacted similar protections. It's time for transparency, accountability, and change in Louisville. 3/3
This morning my bill to ensure foster parents working remotely qualify for childcare assistance passed out of committee unanimously. This bill will eliminate one barrier to people becoming foster parents, and I’m so grateful for my colleagues support.
It’s day one in Frankfort! Today I’m filing two pieces of legislation to support families with young kids across Kentucky. Details in the video, and more legislation to come!
It's official! Today I filed as the Democratic nominee in the special election for State Senate District 19. The election is February 21st, and I need your help to help keep this seat blue.
Donate:
Learn more:
Many of you know I spent the past year writing a book about women, my family, and Appalachia. Advanced copies, are here, and I hope you'll visit to learn more (and consider pre-ordering)!
Love the new pedestrian lights on Bardstown Road! They’re push activated and solar powered. This morning I saw a person actually and easily cross Bardstown Road at the peak of rush hour!
Senate District 19 Special Election- Feb. 21, 2023
We were very proud to see such a talented and diverse group of candidates seeking to represent the 19th Senate district. Each candidate had ideas and energy to contribute to our Commonwealth, 1/
This afternoon I stopped by the
@purrfectdaycafe
. Next week they will celebrate 3 years of being open and 5,000 kittens adopted (adoption fees benefit the
@kyhumane
)! Stop in next week to celebrate with them.
Last week I went to EMW to understand the need for a safety zone. On my way in, I was shouted at, followed, and blocked. On my way out, I was closely followed by an unmasked protestor for 2+ minutes. Video of my exit embedded in this article.
The covid-related stress on our healthcare system is real and scary. This morning I took my infant to urgent care for an ear infection. We got there as it opened, there was a line out the door to register, and the expected wait was already close to 3 hours. Please get vaccinated.
For those of you following Collegiate's proposal to demolish 48 housing units, a reminder that the public hearing is at 4:30pm today at 444 S. 5th St., Room 101. Please see below for the statement I am submitting to the Committee.
Tomorrow I’m excited to put on a suit, get sworn in, and begin my work on Metro Council. Today I’m excited to stay in sweatpants and covered in baby boys. Family and community is why the work matters.
A great day to knock doors in the Highlands! I don’t have an opponent in November, but I still want to hear what you care about and how I can best represent your voice in Frankfort. I look forward to knocking on your door soon!
Those accessing reproductive healthcare should be able to do it safely. Thanks to
@LouSafetyZone
for spending the afternoon talking to me and
@jecoreyarthur
about the importance of a safety zone.
Right now Kentucky law does not guarantee kids involved in family court cases involving domestic violence legal representation. That means that low-income kids, whose families can’t afford lawyers, are less likely to have an advocate for them. Today I filed a bill to change that.
Good friends are there when you need them—even when that means making sure your two year old doesn’t rip your paperwork before you file for elected office. Thanks to my good friend
@RepJosieRaymond
for standing with me!
#womensupportingwomen
#womeninpolitics
A client was assaulted today by an unhoused person that was wearing a 40 days for life shirt. The client was bear hugged and drug away by this person, all with encouraging shouts from the antis. The antis (green vest and SK/RSoS) surrounded the client....1/
Yup, this makes me angry. But we will repaint it, and we will keep repainting it as many times as we need to. People deserve to access healthcare safely and with dignity. A hateful person with a power washer won’t change that.
Did you know that we have to file four paper copies of every bill? And that we have to deliver paper copies in person to the clerk? Last year I was sworn in after the bill filing deadline had passed. So yesterday was my first chance to file legislation on the floor!
One year ago, my friend
@RepJosieRaymond
swore me in to Metro Council with my toddler in my arms and my six week old beside me. It's been an honor to spend the past 365 days working to make our city better for kids and families. Thank you, District 8, for the chance to serve.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for Baby Mills—the newest addition to the Armstrong crew—and that our new expanded family all gets to be together this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm entering my fourth week of having one of my kids home because of Covid-related childcare closures. I've had childcare for both kids for only 4 out of the past 30 days. Parents of young kids and childcare providers: I see you. I'm asking our city to do more to support you.
ICYMI: last week our ordinance to allow the city to create parking protected bike lanes unanimously passed Metro Council. Learn more about this tool and its potential at the link below. Thanks to Advanced Planning for their hard work on this.
All I want for Christmas is affordable high-quality childcare options for every family in Louisville. If that makes your holiday wish list, tell your council representative.
Louisville Metro still has roughly $150M in federal COVID-19 relief unspent.
@ByRobertoR
reports on a coalition of policy makers, non profits that want some of that money to go to expanding child care.
Although I was unopposed on the general election ballot, it is still an honor to officially be your Louisville Metro Council Member-Elect for District 8. I look forward to working with you all to move our city and district forward. Thank you for your support--time to get to work!
Did you know HALF of families with young children struggle to afford diapers? And that unmet diaper need has huge impacts on families? I'm working on legislation to support Kentucky families and make sure everyone can afford the diapers they need to keep their baby healthy.
.
@atticascott4ky
has been peacefully leading protests for racial justice and calling for systemic change through policy reform. She introduced the state-wide Breonna’s law. These charges are infuriating and unwarranted. Release Rep. Scott, dismiss the charges, and apologize.
State Rep.
@atticascott4ky
faces a first-degree rioting charge. That's a Class D felony — the same level offense levied against former LMPD officer Brett Hankison in connection with the Breonna Taylor case.
"A jacked-up motorcycle in the middle of the night can easily wake up 10,000 Parisians."
#Paris
joins other cities in
#France
in installing "Méduse" radars, which automatically ticket drivers whose vehicles exceed a certain number of decibels
I'm so thankful for our Community Ambassadors! Today I got to stop by to learn about the work they are doing and the needs they see in the community. In December alone they picked up 160+ bags of litter along Bardstown Road (on top of the dozens of other things they do each day)!
ICYMI: Yesterday I filed for reelection to the Kentucky Senate. I'm so grateful for the support I've received, especially from many of my colleagues in public service. It's an honor to serve with so many folks dedicated to building the Kentucky we all deserve.
Taxpayer dollars shouldn't be used to cover up sexual harassment, sexual assault, or workplace discrimination. Grateful to my colleagues for unanimously voting our ordinance to ban harmful non-disclosure agreements out of committee.
Cooper and I ran the
#raceforjustice
this morning (he had more kick at the end than I did!). Thanks
@502futureA
for inviting us to join you for this important event.
I requested a lot of bills this interim! Over the next few days I’ll be reviewing them and getting them filed. I hope you’ll be in touch about the things you care about and want to see legislation to address.
My new research on rural courts and domestic violence is now on SSRN! It'll be published in the Kentucky Law Journal this fall, but, til then, I hope you'll read and send your thoughts.
A buffer zone "does not prevent groups...from congregating within sight and earshot of the clinic. Nor does it prevent protestors...from being seen and heard, or...speaking outside the zone with willing listeners"--3rd Circuit stating buffer zones don't "trample on" free speech
A homeless person assaults someone and that is an excuse to trample on first amendment rights in public spaces. I am curious if the same safety zone advocates will advocate for one around the convention center after the way children were verbally assaulted by BLM protestors?
Some local election news:
@RepJosieRaymond
says she will run for Pat Mulvihill’s Metro Council District 10 seat after Mulvihill announced last week he would not run for re-election.
Rep. Raymond says she will not run for re-election to her Ky House seat.