District 36 Newsletter '22 #5
December 2022
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Greetings!
Thank you for your vote of confidence! Since I was unopposed on the November ballot, technically I only needed 1 vote to win... but 14,665 of you took the extra effort to mark your ballot for me, and I really appreciate that vote of confidence heading into my first legislative session!
There is a legislative "freshman orientation" in December, and then I will be sworn in January 3rd at the start of the 2023 session, and can officially begin representing District 36 with my votes in the Legislature.
I hope you and your family have a great holiday season and a Merry Christmas, and in January you will see frequent legislation updates on social media during the Jan-Mar Session.
I will do my best to answer your questions and consider your input on District 36 issues if you would like to contact me. Liberty is a team sport! |
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Let's protect faith, family, and freedom in KY! |
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District 36 Road & Traffic Plans
The 2022 KY Highway Plan is posted, with $281 Million in improvements near District 36. Crews are moving dirt on KY 155 and paving lanes on on I-265 in the last push before winter slows down construction
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Shelbyville Rd Traffic Study |
Ever been stuck in traffic on Shelbyville Rd near the Gene Snyder with 5000 of your closest friends? We have 2024 State funding to STUDY widening the road there with several options. Follow this link for a detailed graphic presentation of options. Option 2-4-5 seems to give the best traffic flow at lowest cost, and I will be providing that input to KYTC.
Road projects take many years, for study, prioritization, funding, land acquisition, and then finally construction... but we have to start somewhere, and this road is a real pinch point in our growing community.
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Limits of Federal Power - States' Rights |
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The KY Constitution limits government power in Section 2: "Absolute and arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a Republic, not even in the largest majority." [1891]
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US Constitution, 10th Amendment: States' Rights
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." [1791]
Constitutional author James Madison explained in Federalist Papers #45: “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite.”
The 9th Amendment further reinforces the concept: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
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2023 Legislative Priorities –
Odd-numbered years are 30 day legislative sessions from Jan-Mar (vs 60 day in even years). Usually over 1000 bills will be introduced, only 100-200 will make it all the way through the process, and that includes very small bills that just adjust current law. Maybe 10-15 bills will attract the attention of the general public as they go through a lengthy process detailed in "How a bill becomes law".
Many bills will be of high interest to certain affected groups, and you can track their progress here. I will provide updates on social media for important bills, and a summary in this monthly newsletter.
Your actions as a citizen count - calls to the Legislative hotline (800-372-7181) to advocate for and against bills do have an impact on legislative leadership decisions.
My 2023 Legislative Priorities
Every legislator focuses on different areas, and my area of emphasis is in protecting our Constitutional Rights. You will find me advocating for things that limit the power of government over our lives, and in creating a level playing field for all citizens under the law. I am not a fan of government picking winners and losers via legislation.
My top 3 priority bills are:
1) Ban on warrent-less government surveillance on private land
2) Election integrity enhancement bill focusing on post election audits and cleanup of the voter rolls
3) Juvenile Justice Center for Jefferson County to combat crime
Other issues I plan to support or co-sponsor bills on:
- Reducing the KY income tax
- Medical freedom issues
- School choice and parental rights
- Banning internet censorship of political speech
- Reducing "red tape" and needless government regulation
- Getting Kentuckians back to work
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Political Happenings in Dist 36 |
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A very Red KY Map, New Congressmen, & KY Governor Elections |
- Republicans now have an 80% majority in both the KY House and KY Senate; the map is almost all red except for urban Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort.
- Our area went heavily for Bill Dieruff in the Louisville Mayor race (the darkest red part of the map along with South Louisville), but opposite in the heavily populated urban core of Jefferson Co, and Greenberg prevailed. We have a significant geographic division in our County on political philosophy and priorities, but our district 36 looks more like the rest of the state. We are going to have a local challenge getting Metro Government's attention on our road and safety issues in the east end.
- Most of our District 36 has a new US Congressman - Brett Guthrie KY2, with whom I have a good relationship. The more urban part of Louisville has a new Congressman, Morgan McGarvey KY3, and I have worked with him.
- Kentucky will elect a new Governor in 2023. Right now there are 12 people running for the Republican nomination, more than I ever recall seeing in my lifetime. KY is one of only 3 states that have a Governor election in 2023, and it is considered a "bellwether state" for predicting the Presidential election the following year. So... all eyes will be upon us. It will be interesting. I would be interested in your thoughts on who you are supporting and why.
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Recent Media Appearances:
84 WHAS – listen to my interview with Dwight Witten on Warrant-less surveillance and privacy
Archived Recent Newsletters:
September '22 – Eastwood Cutoff project, Constitutional Privacy protection
August '22 – KY 155 / Pope Lick project, Limitations on Government Power
July '22 – First newsletter – our God-given Rights
Interns:
I am seeking a few unpaid interns to help with policy research and other duties a few flexible hours a month. Most activities could be done remotely. If you know a student (age 16+) that loves America, and would like some public policy experience and resumé-building, contact me.
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Thanks for reading and being involved!
John Hodgson
Representative-Elect District 36
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Address: PO Box 74
Fisherville, KY 40023
Phone: (502) 276-5213
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