Latest news with #JimmyHigdon
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky GOP state senators call for extension of REAL ID deadline next month
Not everyone in Kentucky needs a REAL ID, above, says Sen. Jimmy Higdon, who is calling for an extension of the May 7 deadline. ( photo) Republicans in the Kentucky Senate are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend a federal deadline set for next month for travelers to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access other federal facilities. A REAL ID is a type of identification card, including driver's licenses, with enhanced security protections issued by states following Congress' passage of the REAL ID Act in 2005. After years of delays in requiring usage of these enhanced IDs, Kentuckians and people in other states have until May 7 before a REAL ID is needed to enter federal facilities, such as military bases or to get through airport security checkpoints to board domestic flights. Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebonan, in a letter co-signed by other Republican state senators called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to extend the deadline because Kentuckians need more time to obtain REAL IDs. 'While the intent behind the implementation of REAL ID is understandable, we believe the practical impact on Kentuckians must also be considered,' Higdon wrote in his April 17 letter. 'Despite significant progress, Kentucky is simply not fully prepared for complete implementation.' Higdon also asked for 'more time to help Kentuckians understand that they may not need a REAL ID.' Standard driver's licenses will still be valid for daily use within the state, he stressed. He encouraged people to review their options and choose the form of identification that best fits their circumstances. Higdon, the chair of the Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee, in a column posted to the social media platform X wrote many people have contacted him 'about the inconvenience of renewing a driver's license these days' including long wait times at regional driver's licensing state offices and a new requirement of a vision test to renew a driver's license. A recent report by CBS News found many states are lagging in the percentage of citizens who have a REAL ID. According to data compiled by CBS News from state motor vehicle departments, in 30 states fewer than 70% of IDs are compliant with REAL ID standards. New Jersey had the lowest compliance rate at 17%, while Kentucky had a compliance rate of about 36%. Higdon in his column wrote that other forms of federal identification, such as passports and passport cards, can be used as an alternative to a REAL ID to get through airport security. An emailed request for comment sent to a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesperson asking about the letter from state senators was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky lawmakers send letter asking for REAL ID deadline extension: ‘We just aren't there yet'
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Do you have your REAL ID yet? If not, you aren't alone. The national deadline requiring citizens to have a REAL ID to board a domestic flight in the United States is less than two weeks away, but Kentucky lawmakers sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday asking federal officials to delay its implementation yet again. According to a news release on Tuesday, April 23, Senate Transportation Chair Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) joined 27 members of the Senate Majority Caucus in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem asking for the delay, citing limited appointment availability throughout the state's regional driver licensing offices as well as an overall lack of REAL ID compliance in 30 states. Madison County advocates for emergency shelter funding on 'National Day of Action' 'Only about 40 percent of our residents have a REAL ID, but I would also like more time to help Kentuckians understand that they may not need a REAL ID,' Sen. Higdon said. 'Kentucky has made a good faith effort, but we just aren't there yet.' Kentucky lawmakers said in the letter that moving forward with the national REAL ID enforcement deadline as scheduled would strain regional offices that are already overburdened, as well as create unnecessary hardship for senior citizens and members of rural communities who can't find transportation to get or renew their license by the deadline. The Senate Majority Caucus noted in its letter that Senate Bill 43, allowing third-party vendors to help with license renewals, won't take effect until June 27, leaving over a month-long gap after the current deadline to help Kentuckians get REAL IDs. Kentucky lawmakers send letter asking for REAL ID deadline extension: 'We just aren't there yet' Nicholasville man allegedly had 300+ sexually explicit images of children on computer Detroit woman sentenced to 30 years for drug trafficking in Lexington According to the news release, the REAL ID ACT was passed by Congress in 2005. Initially set to be enforced in 2008, the deadline was postponed multiple times before the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to other delays across several states. For more information on REAL ID requirements and acceptable alternate forms of documentation, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House votes to ‘put Kentucky kids ahead of tobacco,' license retailers of nicotine products
In Kentucky, almost 20% of high school students use electronic cigarettes and 5% smoke, according to The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (Getty Images) FRANKFORT — Kentucky is one step closer to licensing retailers who sell nicotine with the passage of Senate Bill 100 in the House Wednesday 82-11. It passed the Senate in late February. The House made some changes to the bill — which the Senate will have to vote on — but kept the licensing requirements laid out by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, in place. Under SB 100, Kentucky would license all retailers who sell tobacco and vape products, giving the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) inspection and enforcement powers over them, similar to those it exercises over alcohol retailers. It would also fine retailers who sell nicotine products to minors and give half the money collected in fines to a youth prevention program in a state where about 5% of high school students smoke and almost 20% use e-cigarettes, according to The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Smoking costs the state more than $2 billion every year in health complications, according to the campaign. The other half would go toward enforcement expenses. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death across the country, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. In Kentucky, smoking and lung cancer rates exceed those in the rest of the nation. The House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee passed Higdon's bill Wednesday morning and sent it to the House floor. In that meeting, Higdon reiterated he wants to go after 'bad actors' who expose youth to nicotine. 'We have a lot of good retailers. In fact, probably 99.8% of the retailers in Kentucky run good businesses and follow the rules and would never sell to an underage person,' Higdon said. 'This bill has teeth that ABC can enforce and get rid of bad actors.' Mallory Jones, a high school senior, testified alongside Higdon that her generation is being 'strategically manipulated' to purchase vapes. 'As a youth advocate and heart survivor, I'm concerned about what I'm seeing in my school, among peers and in my community,' said Jones, adding they get sucked in by 'intentionally flashy, colorful, fun, flavored products.' 'It's time for us to put Kentucky kids ahead of tobacco,' she said. Seven hours later, SB 100 cleared the House with bipartisan support. Several Republicans voted against it.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky Senate moves to regulate vape retailers, punish ‘bad actors'
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, filed a bill, which passed the Senate, to add harsher penalties for retailers who sell vaping products to minors. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) FRANKFORT — Kentucky's Senate is moving to add harsher penalties for retailers who sell vaping products to minors. Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon's Senate Bill 100 passed 33-3 on Wednesday. The three who voted against it — Sens. Robby Mills, Aaron Reed and Lindsey Tichenor — are all Republican. The legislation would license all retailers who sell tobacco and vape products, giving the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control inspection and enforcement powers over them, similar to those it exercises over alcohol retailers. 'This bill has teeth,' Higdon said on the Senate floor. It's 'not aimed at responsible retailers who follow rules,' he said, and is aimed at 'protecting our youth.' The bill would also fine retailers who sell to minors, and revoke their licenses on their fourth violation. Clerks who sell to minors would be fined $100 per violation. Shop owners would receive a notice after the first violation then be fined $500 on the second offense and then $1,000. Upon a fourth violation, retailers would lose their license and not be able to renew it for two years. Fine money will be split between enforcement expenses and youth prevention programs. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death across the country, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. In Kentucky, smoking and lung cancer rates exceed those in the rest of the nation. About 17% of Kentucky adults smoke compared to 11% nationally. In Kentucky, 5% of high school students smoke and almost 20% use e-cigarettes, according to The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Smoking costs the state more than $2 billion every year in health complications, according to the campaign. Under Higdon's bill, retailers who operate without a license would face criminal charges: the first offence would be a Class B misdemeanor, followed by a Class A misdemeanor. The third and subsequent offenses would be Class D felonies. The bill 'is about holding the bad actors accountable,' Higdon said. 'If you sell without a license, you will face serious consequences. If you sell to underage individuals, there will be financial and legal consequences.' The bill now goes to the House for committee consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill would clamp down on ‘bad actors' selling nicotine to youth, says sponsor
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, says most Kentucky retailers are following the law by not selling nicotine products to underage buyers. (LRC Public Information) Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, has filed a bill that he promised would add 'teeth' to Kentucky laws aimed at keeping nicotine products out of the hands of kids. Higdon's Senate Bill 100, filed Thursday, seeks to license all retailers who sell tobacco and vape products, giving the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control inspection and enforcement powers over them, similar to those it exercises over alcohol retailers. Kentucky law prohibits the sale of tobacco and vaping products and alcohol to those younger than 21. SB 100 also establishes a framework for fining sales clerks who violate the law by selling products to underage buyers as well as the shop owner. Clerks would be fined $100 per violation. Shop owners would receive a notice after the first violation, then be fined $500 on the second offense and then $1,000. Upon a fourth violation, retailers would lose their license and not be able to renew it for two years, according to the bill. Half of the fine money would go to 'a youth program directed at targeting and educating youth on the dangers of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products,' according to the bill. The other half goes to the 'cost of enforcement.' 'I've been a retail store owner, and I know for a fact the vast majority of Kentucky's retailers take their responsibility seriously and follow the law because they understand the dangers of youth vaping, and smoking and drinking for that matter,' Higdon said in a Friday statement. 'This bill isn't about punishing responsible business owners — it's about holding bad actors accountable. Those who repeatedly sell to minors are making life harder for the honest retailers who play by the rules, and we're going to put a stop to it.' In Kentucky, smoking and lung cancer rates exceed those in the rest of the nation. About 17% of Kentucky adults smoke vs. 11% nationally. In Kentucky, 5% of high school students smoke and almost 20% use e-cigarettes, according to The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Smoking costs the state more than $2 billion every year in health complications, according to the campaign. New restrictions on vape sales in Kentucky win approval with tobacco industry backing Smoking is also a leading cause of preventable death across the country, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. 'As policymakers, we can't just sit back while kids develop lifelong addictions,' Higdon said. Also on Thursday, youth advocates with #iCANendthetrend at the University of Kentucky, which is student-run and provides prevention tools to Kentuckians, met with lawmakers to throw their support behind strengthening protections from the vape industry. Griffin Nemeth, a youth advisory board coordinator for the hashtag movement, told the Senate Education Committee that 'licensing of retailers is not an anti-business decision.' 'Youth are suffering from this crisis,' he said. 'The industry has strategically manipulated them for years and years and years.' Licensing retailers, he said, 'is an opportunity to protect public health, to protect the public health of our youngest generation.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
