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The 2013 General Assembly will be lively!“Fairness” ordinance brings discriminationWith the shift in the makeup of the House and the volatile issues pending, Kentucky citizens can be confident of serious debate.The bottom line is that they are using the force of law to impose their view of sexuality on everyone else.AWAccording to many observers, the two most important issues facing the 2013Kentucky General Assembly are tax and pension reform, but there are politicalforces pulling this Session in another direction.Although tax reform has been on the back burner for many years, the state’sbad financial condition in recent years has finally caused policy makers to put ithigher on their priority list. And in light of the worsening financial condition ofthe state’s pension system for public employees, pension reform too is demandingtheir attention. But the political air is already abuzz with talk of another gruelingfight over expanded gambling.“We have had to fight the gambling battle almostevery year for the past 12 years,” said Martin Cothran,senior policy analyst with The Family Foundation.“With these other issues needing to be resolved, itseems to us a poor use of time and resources tohave to go through this fight again.”Cothran said that, like last year, thesupport is simply not there in either chamberto pass such a bill. “The only way to pass thisbill is to load it up with earmarks for individual lawmakers. But if we do that, we usevaluable state resources when those resources are scarce. The more we spend tobuy votes to pass gambling, the worse we make the tax and pension crisis.”Cothran said expanded gambling was the “legislative equivalent of snakeoil.” “Gambling is not a solution for anything,” he said. “The people pushing for this arealready wealthy, and the people who would be losing money in order to make thewealthy even wealthier can’t afford to lose it. It only creates more problems.”Gov. Steve Beshear is expected to lead the charge for expanded gambling onceagain, but, according to opponents of such a measure, there is no indication he has anybetter chance than he did in his previous attempts. “It appears to us that support for agambling measure is even weaker than last year,” said Cothran. He pointed to a numberof pro-gambling senators and House members who lost their seats in elections last fall.Another perennial issue could also attract the attention of lawmakers: abortion.Cothran said The Family Foundation would be asking legislative leaders to let membersconsider legislation regulating abortions. “This issue is not like casino gambling,” saidCothran. “This is an issue that would easily pass on the floor of either chamber if it wereallowed out of committee.”The Republican-led Senate has passed a number of bills that would protect theunborn in recent years, but the Democratic-led House has stifled such bills in everysession for the last eight years. Legislation to provide for a woman seeing an ultrasoundand to have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor before having an abortion isexpected to be introduced.Another bill that supporters argue would pass easily in either chamber and isexpected to be introduced this session is an amendment to the state constitution to bolsterreligious freedom. The bill is needed, argues Cothran, because of dangerous encroachments on the First Amendment rights of people of faith. “The amendment would raise thelegal threshold courts would have to meet and return it back to the level of religiousprotection before recent court decisions began to erode it,” said Cothran.Like bills calling for reasonable abortion restrictions, a religious freedom amendment would not take time away from the state’s other important policy priorities.To see what YOU can do during the critical firstfour days of the Session, go to pages 6 and 7.Jan-Feb13 PRINT12Snake Oil in 1850Dr. Elmo’sElixer“Hurry!Hurry!Hurry!This miraclepotent cureseverything fromdandruff to heartattacks. It evenheals brokenbones. You can’tlive without it!Kills fleas on Fidoand doublesas axle grease.Get it whileit’s here!Baldness,flat feet, . . .”Snake Oil in 2013Dr. KEEP’sKasinos“Money!Money!Money!This miracleplan cureseverything frombudget shortfallsto pension debts.You can’t livewithout ‘em!They’ll calm yourworries anddoubleas relaxation.Get ‘em whilethey’re here!Healthcare,education, . . .”Controversial UN treaty nixedBut one key senator has already promised a re-vote in 2013.OOn Dec. 4, the U.S. Senate failed to ratify the UN Convention onthe Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by a vote of61-38. Most conservatives across America regarded its failureas a major, albeit temporary, victory.Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who voted against ratification, explained his opposition, “. . . treaty unnecessarilyincludes references to sexual and reproductive health and thebest interest of the child.” According to Grassley, “These provisions call into question the purpose of the convention regarding abortion rights and thefundamental rights of parents to determine how best to raise their children.”Michael Farris, Founder and Chairman of Home School Legal Defense (HSLDA),argued the same point while testifying before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relationswhere he stated that “Article 7 of the UNCRPD gives government the ability to overrideevery decision of a parent of a disabled child if the government thinks that its views arein the best interest of the child.”If the treaty were ratified, it would become the supreme law of the land. Article VIof the U.S. Constitution – the Supremacy Clause – reads: This Constitution, and theLaws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treatiesmade, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be thesupreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anyThing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”Because the UNCRPD is a treaty, the Constitution requires that it must be ratified bytwo-thirds of the Senate or 67 senators. The treaty has already been signed by PresidentObama, and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) has said that he plans to bring the treaty up for avote again in the next session of Congress.When Lexington’s so-called “fairness ordinance” was passed July 8, 1999, supporters ofthe law did not bother to tell the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council that it mightbe used to prosecute religious owners of businesses for refusing business that wouldviolate their religious convictions. But a Christian-owned t-shirt company found out thehard way just what such laws may mean for Lexington and any other community thatmight be contemplating such a law.When Hands On Originals was asked to print t-shirts with a promotional messagefor the “Lexington Pride Festival,” a gay celebration event, it declined to do so on thegrounds that the message violated the company owner’s clearly stated religious beliefs.The refusal prompted the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization (GLSO) to file acomplaint with the Lexington Human Rights Commission, charging that the businesswas in violation of the city’s “fairness” ordinance.On Nov. 28, six months after the complaint was made by GLSO, the Human RightsCommission found that there was probable cause to believe that the t-shirt company wasviolating the ordinance. Bryan Beauman, the attorney representing Hands On Originals,said it would continue to fight the charge.“American small business owners do not surrender their freedom at the marketplacegate,” said Beauman, who is handling the case on behalf of the Alliance DefendingFreedom, a religious liberty legal advocacy group. “The government cannot makeAmericans choose between their faith and their livelihood just because activist groupsmake such demands.”According to Martin Cothran, senior policy analyst for The Family Foundation, thisruling should serve as a warning to other communities who are considering such ordinances.“The state ‘Fairness’ Alliance is now going around the state promoting similar ordinances,only they are not informing these communities that these laws will force businesses ownedby religious believers to promote causes that violate their religious beliefs.”Beauman says that discriminating against someone for being gay is far different thandeclining to promote activities which violate religious principles. “Hands On Originalsdeclined this order because its owners did not want to communicate the message of therequested shirt—that people should be ‘proud’ about engaging in homosexual behavioror same-sex relationships—nor did they want to promote the Pride Festival or theIt’s all aboutYOU !(You are the salt and light)#1 Do you want to receive a weekly emailed UPDATEregarding legislation in the 2013 General Assembly?#2 Do you want bulletin inserts to activate your church?#3 Do you want to help distribute other materials aboutlegislation to churches in your area?If so, call or email us:12/20/12, 9:57 AM(859)255-5400tffky@mis.netideology conveyed at that advocacy event.”But religious owners around the state should be on alert when gay rights groupscome to their communities wanting to pass similar ordinances, says Cothran. “We havelong said that what many of these groups are after is not equal rights. They already havethose rights. Now what they want is to impose their views on sexuality on everyone else.That is exactly what is going on here.”For your information . . .How Kentucky rankedin the Nov. 8 electionProbably because we are a pro-life state . . .Probably because we are a traditional marriage state . . .Probably because we are a religious freedom state . . .and probably because, though we are a poor state, wepay our bills, Kentucky voted itself into a tie for theseventh least supportive state of President Obama andhis Washington, D.C. policies.Here is election information from some of the other“least supportive states” (those supporting Romney):RomneyObama1 Utah72.8%24.9%2 Wyoming69.3%28.0%3 Oklahoma66.8%33.2%4 Idaho64.5%32.6%5 West Virginia62.3%35.5%6 Alabama60.7%38.4%7 7.8%8 Kansas60.0%37.8%9 Tennessee59.5%39.0%10 North Dakota58.7%38.9%

Gambling: Likely a “divide and conquer” effortThey have a number of different strategies they are considering, but the one thing we absolutely know is that they will push one!TThe casino gambling advocates have been pushing casinos since 1994 when horsegambling or not via a constitutional amendment. (Sounds nice, even “democratic,” butracing advocates approached The Family Foundation to assist them in their effort toyou only need a few key communities to say “Yes,” and the whole state would be drawnprotect the horse industry from being run over by the casino industry. Because casinosinto the gambling net.)devastate families and family businesses, The Foundation joined them and workedCitizens can thwart these efforts by engaging legislators during the Jan. 8-11together with them until 2000, when the horse industry said to itself, “If you can’torganizational week. They are not expecting calls then, so they will be surprised!beat them, OWN them.”Since that time, theyhave used all kinds ofstrategies, some very sleazy,to pass casino gamblinglegislation. All of them,Call the toll-free message line TWICE - Jan. 8-11: 800-372-7181 Leave thesehowever, end up with the sameconclusion: a small handful of peoplemessages with the receptionist for your State Representative – she will know whoconnected to the horse industry end uphe/she is. Leave these two kind, but firm messages using two different calls . . .with the big money, and Kentucky citizens will losehundreds of millions annually.#1Here are the suggestions already brewing:1) Run a constitutional amendment in the House tochange the state Constitution to allow casino gambling.#2(The Senate voted on this last Session and will likely wantthe House to take their turn on this controversial issue.)As you close each call, ask the receptionist to “copy” your message to both2) Expand gambling as a part of Speaker Greg“House and Senate Leadership.” (Husbands and wives should BOTH call.)Stumbo’s effort to make University of Pikeville a part ofthe state university network. (“We need more money toIf you can, call 8 am - 5 pm EST between Jan. 8 thru 11. Any calls before Feb. 5educate eastern Kentucky and the best way to get it fromare important, but Jan. 8 thru 11 is optimal.the people is through gambling.” ) This would likely be astatute, NOT a constitutional amendment.For bulletin inserts, publications and emails, see yellow box pg 7.3) Do a “divide and conquer” approach, giving eachcommunity the “option” of deciding whether it wantsMake Two Calls - NOW!“Vote AGAINST ANY expansion of gambling.”“PASS pro-life legislation! Eight years is enough!”Eight IS Enough!It has been eight years since House Leadership has allowed a pro-life bill on the House floor. It has been way, way too long!OOnce one of the nation’s leading states when measured by sanctity of life legislation,to a graveyard committee, which is a committee purposelyKentucky has dropped several places in recent years. The reason? Simply because thestacked with representatives from politically “safe” districtsHouse of Representatives is controlled by the Democrat Party and their current leaderwho will do exactly what House Leadership desires. Houseship is manipulating things to follow the Democratic National Convention PlatformLeadership knows it does not have the votes to pass.instead of following the will of Kentucky citizens.Interestingly, the Senate generally passes the bills with a“There are pro-life Democrats34 to 4 majority – including many Democrat votes –within the Democrat House caucus,only to have the bill languish in the House committee,“We laugh about this process, but,but their voices are silenced becausenever to have a vote by the full House.in truth, it is very significant. I cantheir Leadership controls the“What most citizens don’t realize is that their opinionconfirm the fact that ‘Once the legislatorsChamber as well as the flow of billsmeans so much to a legislator – the legislator truly knows that it is his constitufeel the heat, they see the light.’”that are allowed to be voted upon,”ents that sent him to Frankfort,” said Ostrander. “My task is simply to encoursaid Kent Ostrander, executiveage folks to make the call and literally make the difference.”– Kent Ostranderdirector of The Family Foundation.With every phone call to the Legislative Message Line (800-372-7181) aThe Family Foundation“They will say, ‘The bills didn’t getlegislator receives a note from the operator on green notepad paper, known as aout of committee,’ but House“green slip” in Frankfort. A legislator’s position will generally change afterLeadership builds the committees and then assigns the bills to those committees. If theyreceiving numerous messages and having a stack of green slips on his desk. Thewanted the bills heard, they would be heard!”question ultimately is about whether the citizenry decides to get involved.During each of the last eight General Assembly sessions, the Kentucky Senate has“We laugh about this process, but, in truth, it is very significant,” said Ostrander. “Isent one kind of pro-life bill or another to the House only to have it deliberately assignedcan confirm the fact that ‘Once the legislators feel the heat, they see the light.’”Jan-Feb13 PRINT13The 2013 General Assembly is upon us and you need to know . . .HowA BillBecomesLawAA law begins its journey toward enactment when it is introduced as a bill. It can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but it must be approved by bothin order to be sent to the Governor for his signature, at which point it becomes law.Once a bill is introduced in one of the chambers (either the House or the Senate),the Committee on Committees (both the House and the Senate have one) decide towhich committee the bill will be sent. This is an important decision because it is harderto get a bill through some committees than others.The Speaker of the House is the chairman of the House Committee on Committees,and the Senate President is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Committees.When the bill has been received by a committee, the chairman of the committeedecides whether the bill should be heard by the committee. If the chairman decides thatthe bill should not be heard, it simply dies. If it is heard, it is either approved or defeated. If it is approved, it goes to the Rules Committee.The Rules Committee of each chamber is also a powerful committee. There a billgets its second reading. The Rules Committee decides when and whether a bill gets tothe chamber floor for a vote. It can either send the bill directly to the floor or back toanother committee for further review.When a bill finally reaches the floor, before it can be voted on, it must be announced three times. The Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate can refuseto call the bill for a vote, in which case it will eventually die. If the bill is voted on andpassed, it goes on to the other chamber and starts the same entire process for approvalthere.If one chamber passes a bill and the other chamber changes it in any way, the billmust go back to the chamber in which it originated to approve the change. This is called“concurrence.”Once it passes in both chambers, it goes to the Governor for his signature.When the Governor receives the bill on his desk, he can do one of three things: hecan sign it, veto it, or simply not act upon it. If he signs it, it becomes law. If he does notsign it, it still becomes law. Not signing a bill but letting it go into effect is a way for theGovernor to express disapproval without actually stopping the bill.If the Governor vetoes the bill, the bill can only become law if the General Assembly overrides the veto. A veto can be overridden only by a constitutional majority ofboth chambers. In the House, a constitutional majority is 51 votes (one more than halfof 100). In the Senate, it is 20 votes (one more than half of 38). If the veto is overriddenin this way, the bill becomes law. If it is not overridden, it does not become law.The Road to Passing a BillHouseJanuary 8-11February 5February 8February 15February 19March 8 & 11March 12-22March 25-2612/20/12, 9:57 AMFour-day Organization periodSession re-opens for legislationLast day for bill requestsLast day for new Senate billsLast day for new House billsConcurrenceGovernor’s veto period (10 days)Veto override period and Sine DieBill is introducedin SenateBill is introducedin Houseororis sent approvedfrom Senateis sent approvedfrom House HouseCommittee onCommitteesdirects bill to acommitteeBill is givenfirst readingin Houseand placedon calendar Bill is acted uponin committeeBill is acted uponin committeeororignored andleft to dieignored andleft to die HouseCommittee onCommitteesdirects bill to acommitteeBill is givenfirst readingin Senateand placedon calendar Bill is givensecond readingand sentto RulesCommitteeBill is givensecond readingand sentto RulesCommitteeRules Committeesends bill tochamber floor,or backto committee Calendarfor the 2013 General AssemblySenate If passed, bill issent to Senate orto Governor ifpassed by bothchambers Concurrence Rules Committeesends bill tochamber floor,or backto committee If passed, bill issent to House orto Governor ifpassed by bothchambersBill is signed, ignored or vetoed by Governor

Love & Respect’s Dr. Emerson EggerichsThe KentuckyMarriageMovementLove & Respect’s Sarah EggerichsVarious regional events listed belowNicholasville, March 8-9The Art of Marriage video conference - FamilyLifeCatalyst Christian Church4000 Park Central Avenue, Nicholasville, KY 40356Lexington, March 15-16The Art of Marriage video conference - FamilyLifeWeodford Community Christian Church420 Hope Lane, Versailles, KY 40383Lexington, TBALove and Respect video conference - The EggerichsBroadway Christian Church187 North Broadway, Lexington, KY 40507Wilmore, April 19-20Love and Respect video conference - The EggerichsLexington First Assembly of God2780 Clays Mill Road, Lexington, KY 40503For more or to register, callLexington, March 22-23(859)255-5400Love and Lordship Retreat - Greg WilliamsShiloh Baptist Church held at Asbury Seminary204 North Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, KY 40390or go towww.kentuckymarriage.org“Calling all marriage counselors . . .”TThe Kentucky Marriage Movement (KMM) is currently working to promote marriagecounselors across the Commonwealth. “We regularly receive emails and calls from thosedesiring marriage counseling, pre-marital guidance or redemptive marriage intervention,”said Greg Williams, Director of Marriage Outreach for The Family Foundation. “Weknow that all marriages need support, and making marriage counselors easily accessiblejust makes sense.”According to Williams, the purpose of KMM is: 1) To encourage and strengthenindividual marriages and families, and 2) to partner with churches, ministries and coupleswho are passionate about marriage in order to reach out and help others in their marriages. “Marriage counselors are a vital and necessary component in this mission,” saidWilliams.KMM seeks to gather information from any/all marriage counselors who desire toJan-Feb13 PRINT14see marriage strengthened and encouraged across Kentucky. This info will be offered asa resource from KMM to refer counselors in regions across Kentucky. Placed on KMM’sregional Kentucky map on www.kentuckymarriage.org, there will be easy access forindividuals and couples desiring help, direction or encouragement in their marriage.KMM does not set counseling guidelines, nor specifically endorse any particularcounselor or counselingmethod. It simply isIf you ARE a marriage counselor, orattempting to mak

Dr. Wayne Grudem to lecture in Kentucky Recognized for his seminary textbooks, Dr. Grudem’s most recent book, “Politics According to the Bible,” is creating quite a stir. The Family Foundation is pleased to be hosting Dr. Wayne Grudem in a four-site speaking tour focused on his new book, Politics Ac