The veto period is upon us, and numerous bills are now on the Governor's desk awaiting his action. The Governor has 10 days to consider whether he will sign them, allow them to become law without his signature, or veto them. In this short session, the General Assembly has worked hard to deliver meaningful legislation to the Governor protected by the veto override period. Any vetoed bill will qualify for a legislative override when we return to Frankfort on March 29. Any additional bills fully passed during the final two days of the session will not be eligible for a legislative override.
The 2023 Legislative Session is in the home stretch, with only 4 more legislative days before we enter the veto period. Next week we will be in session Monday through Thursday with two days scheduled for the House and Senate chambers to find agreement on any qualifying legislation. Friday, March 17 will begin the 10-day veto period until Tuesday, March 29 for the Governor to consider all legislation lawmakers have sent to his desk. I am eager to see any bills he may choose to veto that will enter the category of bills the legislature has swiftly overridden and enacted into law over his veto.
During the General Assembly's fifth week of the 30-day legislative session, March came in like a lion, with over 30 bills clearing the Senate chamber. However, the legislative forecast is not calling for March to go out like a lamb, as plenty of work remains in Frankfort before the final day of session on March 30.
With the Senate's adjournment on Friday, we have officially reached the halfway mark on the 2023 30-day Legislative Session. Week four was the most productive yet, as the Senate passed over 20 bills, sending them to the state House of Representatives for consideration. This meant an incredibly busy week for me as Senate Majority Floor Leader as I led the chamber through the daily legislative floor proceedings.
The 2023 Legislative Session is moving along, with Senate committees approving numerous measures for the full chamber's consideration. Several bills have cleared the chamber and have made their way over the state House of Representatives. Here are some of the bills clearing the state Senate in week three:
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday to reconvene following a constitutionally required break in the 2023 30-day legislative session. We immediately got back to work, passing House Bill 1, which codifies the income tax reduction from 5 percent to 4.5 percent that went into effect on January 1. The bill lowers the income tax to 4 percent beginning on January 1, 2024. Additional tax reform, moving away from taxing production and more emphasis on consumption, not only keeps more money in wage earners' pockets but also builds on the record years of economic success in the commonwealth, primarily because of conservative, pro-business policies enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly.
Senator Damon Thayer is the 3rd Republican ever to serve as Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader. He is the lead speaker during Senate floor debates, guiding bills through the legislative process.
Meet Damon On the IssuesWe continue to build on the momentum created by the Republican Majority. Important legislation has been passed to ensure the safety of our schools, provide pension relief for quasi-governmental entities and regional universities, and we continued to defend the unborn. Though we have a new governor, rest assured that the priorities of the Legislature remain the same. We will continue to champion responsible policies and work toward the betterment of the Commonwealth. The laws passed in 2020 will contribute to the well-being of our state for years to come.
Meet Damon On the Issues