82nd Rep. Nick Wilson encouraged members of the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Tuesday to vote in favor of Constitutional Amendment 1 when they go to the polls on Election day, which would only allow citizens to vote in Kentucky elections, and to vote against Constitutional Amendment 2, which would allow public tax dollars to go schools other than public schools.
“Amendment 1 is to make sure that you are a United States citizen to vote in our elections. I was surprised that it wasn’t a law already,” said Wilson, who was the keynote speaker for Tuesday’s monthly membership luncheon, which was held at Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center.
Wilson noted other states have dealt with lawsuits from people arguing that they have the right to vote even though they are not United States citizens, and in some cases they have won those lawsuits.
“It is my personal opinion that you should be a United States citizens to vote in our elections, so please vote yes on Amendment 1. Once that is a part of the Kentucky Constitution there will be no grounds for anybody to be able to sue. There is such a worry about safe and secure elections right now and for good reason. This will help ensure that our elections are safe and secure.”
Wilson said that in regards to Amendment 2 as the law stands now the Kentucky Supreme Court has said the legislature can’t give funds to education outside of the public schools.
“Amendment 2 amends six or seven sections of the constitution to allow the legislature to give taxpayer money to those schools other than our public schools,” Wilson said adding that we don’t know what this would look like yet and who it would help.
“We are not voting on if the money is going to follow the kid, or who is going to get the money. We are really voting just to open it up and let the legislature do whatever they want.”
When the Kentucky House of Representatives voted to allow Amendment 2 to be placed on the ballot this fall, Wilson voted against it, and said that he plans to do so again when he goes to the polls to vote in the Nov. 5 General Election.
“It was an easy decision for me because I represent Whitley County, and I feel like it is my job to vote for whatever is best for Whitley County. Here we have Whitley County, Williamsburg and Corbin public schools. I am a product of public schools. I feel like we have the best education you can find all over the state. Every student is afforded an opportunity for a great education here in Whitley County,” Wilson said.
“I would encourage you to vote no because I worry about what is going to happen to our public schools. What is going to happen to Whitley County, Williamsburg and Corbin? We don’t really know how it is going to look. It is going to be up to us as the legislature to legislate that later … I worry about who is going to get the money and where is the money going to go?”
Wilson added that he has seen a lot of misleading advertisements in support of Amendment 2 with arguments that it would be good for public schools.
“I don’t see how it can be good for public schools,” Wilson said
Wilson said that he hasn’t heard a lot of conversation about top priorities for January’s legislative session, which he thinks could be due to legislators waiting to see what happens with Amendment 2.
Wilson said that if voters approve Amendment 2 then he expects to see some legislation regarding it next year.
In addition, Wilson spoke about the two-year biennial budget that the Kentucky General Assembly approved during its session earlier this year, and noted some of the big things he was able to secure funding for in his district, such as $7.5 million to help build a 100-bed expansion at the Whitley County Detention Center.
Wilson noted that some additional funding will be needed in future legislative sessions to pay for the expansion.
Also, during this year’s legislative session, Wilson was able to secure $3 million for an expansion of the campground at the Kentucky Splash waterpark and $1.5 million to help with sewer work in Williamsburg.
Corbin got nearly $5 million for sewer line work and $3.5 million for tourism.
“That’s a very successful budget, especially for a freshman legislator. I told Mr. (Terry) Forcht how much credit I give to Senator Stivers with his help for this. I am new but I am learning. One thing I learned is you have to ask for it. If you don’t ask for it, you aren’t going to get it,” Wilson added.
SEKRI was the luncheon sponsor Tuesday.
Ladonna’s Catering provided the food for Tuesday’s luncheon.
