January 3, 2006 CONTACT: Susan Straub
Harper Angel starts 06 session
with perfect voting record
She is one of just 15 legislators to make the KentuckyVotes.org Honor Roll. The free voter information service recognized lawmakers who voted on every bill or missed just one vote during the 2005 legislative session. The list included 10 senators and five representatives.
"The people who elected me put their trust in me. I can't be their voice in the Frankfort unless I vote," said Harper Angel, who missed no votes.
Harper Angel said she hopes to extend her record into 2006 and looks forward to the session. "It's time for legislators to roll up their sleeves and get to work on some important ideas that will improve our state," Harper Angel said.
She already pre-filed several pieces of legislation, including a bill to improve safety by establishing a graduated driver's license for teenage drivers, a proposal to save on drug costs by allowing reimportation of prescription drugs and a bill to exempt holders of disabled veteran's and prisoner of war license plates from any fees for public parking.
The tight budget will, of course, be the central focus of the legislative session, Harper Angel said.
"Kentuckians have a lot of needs -- better pay for teachers, improving health care, new facilities and additional support for our colleges and universities -- that the legislature desperately needs to address. However, we cannot meet many of those needs without a significant source of new revenue," Harper Angel said.
The Senator supports passage of a constitutional amendment to allow casinos at the state's tracks as a way to raise additional revenue for the state, while supporting one of Kentucky's most important industries, the horse industry. "People should have the opportunity to vote on a question that is so important to our state's future," Harper Angel said.
Harper Angel is a relative newcomer to the Senate. "Last year was my first session," she said. "I've learned a lot, but I'm sure there are some new lessons waiting for me in 2006."
KentuckyVotes.org is a free public service of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions.
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Note: For a high-res. JPEG photo file of Senator Harper Angel, please log on to www.lrc.state.ky.us/pubinfo/ephoto.htm.