The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 24

THE COURIER-JOURNAL, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980 4M in the family Spouses, children of legislators I fiftt nn second homes in Frankfort By ANNE PARDUE Courier-Journal Stall Writer KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE jwnfwpr-srs rrr- Vtiji PSSt m. ffi vU i A mmmMfmmi rmir 111 ffS r-t IS ir j- fix Stall Photo by Stewart Bowman One day this week Mrs. Berry watched the clock while the Senate was meeting because she had to pick up children at basketball practice. "I'm glad to come (to Frankfort), but will be glad when the time comes to go home," she said. The only real problem Mrs.

Berry has encountered in Frankfort, she said, is that she can't cash a check. "It's not been bad. I just have to think ahead." Berry goes home to New Castle in Henry County on Saturday to practice law and the whole family goes back on Sunday to church. When Barbara and Joe Wright moved with their four children to Frankfort, they brought along two hamsters and a cat from their Breckinridge County farm. The Wright family didn't move to Frankfort during the 1978 session because the children didn't want to, Wright said.

They had moved in 1976. "We let them make the choice," Wright said. "I always prefer for them to come. In politics you're gone from home so much and your mind is on the problems of other people, I feel like I should be with them as much as possible. "It really means a lot to me.

It provides some stability and continuity of life. There is nothing more lonesome than a motel room." Barbara Jo Wright, 14, is a freshman at Frankfort High School. Julie, 11, and Christi, 9, attend Capital Day School, and Earl, 4, goes to pre-kinder-garten there three days a week. Christi Wright said she has met a lot of new friends at school. She said she likes moving to Frankfort but would "rather live back where I was." Christi expects to be a page in the Senate for about two weeks later in the session.

Mrs. Wright said her main problem is trying to keep two houses running and two kitchens stocked. The family goes home every weekend for basketball games and piano lessons on Saturday. The current session is the second in which Bill and Lois Weinberg and their children have moved to Frankfort from their home in Hindman. Weinberg, a Democrat, is serving his second term as a member of the House.

"I feel like I've earned my sergeant's stripes," Mrs. Weinberg said. This year the Weinbergs rented the Brinkley rents an apartment in Frankfort and goes home on weekends. But Weisenberger said he wouldn't serve in the legislature if his wife and Clay couldn't move to Frankfort. "We prefer to stay up here," he said.

It's difficult for a legislator to see his spouse and children only on weekends, Weisenberger said. Now he goes home to Mayfield most weekends, and his family stays in Frankfort. "I've always brought them before. Like most parents, we were concerned about the trauma of switching schools in the middle of the year. He (Clay) seems to have adjusted well.

I'm sure he was apprehensive the first few days," Weisenberger said. Another son, David, 21, lives at home in Mayfield and commutes to Murray State University, and a daughter, Geri, 19, is a student at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Carol and John Berry moved to Frankfort last week, beginning their second session as what Mrs. Berry calls full-time Frankfort residents. The family has also tried the alternatives.

"John has commuted, stayed at the motel, and we've all come. It's been better when we've all come," Mrs. Berry said. Their biggest concern was the children daughter Markie, and sons Matthew, 10; Billy, 11; and Joel, 13. But the children looked forward to this year's move because they had made friends in Frankfort two years ago, Mrs.

Berry said. "The Senate takes enough time from the family. When the family comes, the children get a better understanding. The children adjust better, and when the daddy is away it breaks the family structure. And I'm not in the best frame of mind myself," Mrs.

Berry said. "We feel very strongly about (family) structure. John likes to come home at night. It's just better, and he gets a good breakfast before he leaves." But there is more driving for Mrs. Berry in Frankfort than at home, where the children ride the school bus and her husband takes them places.

left Frankfort's Capital Day School. Clay attends the school during the legislative session. Clay Weisenberger was accompanied by his father, Sen. Richard Weisenberger, D-Mayfield, when they FRANKFORT, Ky. No matter vhat's on Sen.

Richard Weisenberger's schedule, he takes his 7-year-old son Hay to school a few minutes before 8 every morning. At 3 p.m.. if Weisenberger is tied up yiyr1 legislative business, his wife, jFiwins, is at tne scnooi 10 pick up Say Weisenberger is in the first grade at Capital Day School in Frank-fort His schoolmates in the private School include the four children of Senate Majority Leader John M. Berry D-New castle, and three cniidren of Joe Wright, D-Harned. Say's father, a Democrat from May- item, began his second term in tne Senate last week.

Weisenberger is one of about 10 leg islators who have moved all or part of their families to Frankfort for the ses- io and have rented houses or apartments. Some have enrolled their children in local schools. Their basic reason for establishing temporary homes in Frankfort, they jsay is that it is less disruptive to family life. I 4nd their children have adjusted to leaving friends at home, changing Jschools and meeting new friends, according to several of the legislators bn their spouses. Rep.

Bruce Blythe, R-Louisville, an 48-gear veteran who commutes from his home, said that a chief reason come legislators bring their families Jalong is that legislative duties have become full-time jobs during the sessions. But as in years past, most legislators commute to Frankfort from home or Vent -motel rooms or apartments. Many Jvho" live in Louisville, Lexington or mother nearby cities say it is cheaper to jDomjnute. Blythe said that his wife comes to frankfort for various functions, as do many; wives of members. I The representative with the longest service, John Isler, D-Covington, said Jhe never moved his family to Frankfort during the session because.it Vould have been' a hardship on them.

He has been in the House for 25 J-eariY Rep. William T. Brinkley, D-Madi-ionville, said he would not consider a family move because his wife works. 'It's not feasible for us," he said. i Legislative schedule Associated Prass iFRANKFORT, Ky.

The House Senate will convene at 2 p.m. to-day Here is the schedule of committee meetings: House '10 a.m. State Government, Capi-toj Annex, Room A. Natural Resources and tBlje Environment, Capitol Annex, Room A. Upon adjournment Energy, Cgpitol, Room 9.

Senate 9 a.m. Counties and Special Districts, Capitol Annex, Room C. 10 a.m. Education, Capitol, Room 327. -Noon Health and Welfare, Capitol Annex, Room C.

3 p.m. or upon adjournment Legislative seminar, on capital construction, Capitol Annex, Room A. Calling your legislators Two toll-free telephone lines have been Installed so members of the public can leave messages for their legislators or check on the status of bills. To get in touch with a legislator, call 1-800-372-7164. To find out about a bill before the General Assembly, call 1-800-372-7194.

Jed goes to Good Shepherd School, and Zach attends a Montessori school. Both are pleased with the schools, Mrs. Weinberg said. She said that moving the family to Frankfort during the session is the "only way. It makes it easier on Bill and on us, too.

He gets home earli enate backs longer terms for college er and leaves later. The kids are happy so we're happy." Weinberg's mother, Mrs. Stanley Weinberg of Roanoke, also came with them. Mrs. Weinberg had lived in Frankfort when she was in high school during the 1959-63 term of her father, former Gov.

Bert Combs. oarcis civil liability for administering emergency aid to children cleared the Senate's Judiciary-Statutes Committee. Sen. Jack Trevey, R-Lexington, sponsor of SB 60, said that teachers are now hesitant to give aid to injured children. The bill, Trevey said, would give teachers immunity from civil suits.

The committee also approved: SB 17, which would extend from eight to 15 years the time by which property taken by eminent domain must be developed. The original property owner can repurchase the tract if it is not developed in that time. SB 31, prohibiting Kentuckians involved in bankruptcy proceedings from electing more liberal federal bankruptcy options over state options. Sen. Garrett, a co-sponsor, said the bill is needed because the more liberal federal options could "dry up" loans from state lending agencies.

SB 43, also sponsored by Sen. Garrett, would permit dance contests for prizes on premises licensed by the state for alcoholic-beverage sales. The Highways and Traffic Safety Committee approved a bill to provide special, free auto license plates for former prisoners of war. The highways committee also approved a bill that would give county fiscal courts more flexibility in determining whether to take over maintenance of roads removed from the state primary system. sponsored by Wilborn.

It permits school districts to calculate their average daily attendance based on the best iyA months of the school year, instead of the entire year. State funding for schools through the Minimum Foundation Program is based on average daily attendance. Inclement weather in recent winters has caused many school systems to lose state aid. Mine-law changes State Natural Resources Secretary Jackie Swigart is to testify today before a House committee charged with reviewing Kentucky's strip-mine law. Mrs.

Swigart has said Kentucky's law may need extensive revision to bring it into compliance with federal requirements. Rep. Herbie Deskins, D-Pikeville, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment, said yesterday that Mrs. Swigart will be asked to tell legislators how close Kentucky is to achieving primacy, or principal authority for regulating strip mining in the state. Kentucky must submit an acceptable program to federal officials to get primacy.

Deskins said he expects Mrs. Swigart to have a draft of the department's proposed strip-mine legislation ready today. same duplex they lived in during the 1978 session, rented some furniture, brought some things with them and have the "basic makings of home," Mrs. Weinberg said. Their sons Jed, 8, Zach, 4, and Thomas, almost 2 have been "psyched up to do this," she said.

Senators asked that the department provide detailed information on road projects as to priority, staff and contract engineers, excess right-of-way properties, staff and contract appraisers and attorneys, a breakdown of road-system mileages, and the extent to which toll roads are subsidized by tax revenues. Adoption of rules The Senate also adopted permanent rules yesterday and heard a plea from Sen. Tom Easterly, D-Frankfort, to support a bill abolishing state control over milk prices. The Senate adopted the permanent rules by voice vote, apparently unanimously. One rule, aimed at preventing the traditional logjam of legislation near the end of the session, prohibits introduction of new bills after the 40th legislative day.

Another rule reserves two days near the end of the session for dealing with Senate bills amended by the House, and the session's last two days for considering bills vetoed by the governor. Another change prohibits the Rules Committee from recommitting a bill to any but the measure's originating committee. Democratic Caucus Chairman David Karem of Louisville said the only exception is that a bill can be recommitted to the Appropriations and Revenue Committee if it requires appropriation of funds or has a budgetary impact. vestment and debt management in the state Department of Finance. As amended by the committee, House Bill 71 would require all agencies that have authority to create debts to submit all debt proposals to the debt-management office before issuing bonds or notes.

The debt-management office would also be responsible for: Managing state cash-flow requirements. Ensuring that the state gets the maximum available interest rate on investments. Developing a long-term debt plan. Evaluating revenue projections of proposed revenue-bond issues. The office would also act as a liaison with the legislature on investment and debt matters.

The bill was also amended to give greater authority over debt control to the state Office of Policy and Management. The committee also approved HB 117, which corrects language in the state law providing for sheriffs' fees. Because of a technical error, legislation passed by the 1974 General Assembly raising sheriffs' fees from $175 to $300 a month had been allowed to expire after one year. Although sheriffs were being paid at SB 15 is a 138-page bill whose sole purpose is to change "workmen's compensation" to "worker's compensation" throughout state statutes. The vote was 27-8.

Sen. Walter Baker, R-Glasgow, moved to send the bill back to committee so it could be incorporated into an expected bill making comprehensive changes in workmen's compensation laws. Sen. Michael Moloney, D-Lexington, said combining the bills would save the cost of printing about 250 copies of SB 15 at a time when the legislature is urging other agencies to economize. However, Baker's motion was defeated 19-14.

Senate Joint Resolution 2, approved 36-0, directs the state Department of Education, the Council on Teacher Education and Certification, and the higher education council to study certification standards for teachers of youngsters with learning disabilities. Sen. Ed Ford, D-Cynthiana, said those teachers must spend more time in college than other teachers but receive no additional salary when they begin work. Ford said the study will also deal with ways to recruit more teachers for the learning disabled. The Senate also sat as a Committee of the Whole yesterday to begin its study of the state Transportation Department and the ailing Road Fund.

Staff members explained the organization and functions of the department's units. Participation in the program would be voluntary. Some committee members had reservations about the bill on the ground that discounts cannot be legislated and the cost of the program is unknown. But they did not oppose the concept. A similar bill has been reported favorably by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee but is now in the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee because it calls for an appropriation to support the discount program.

The committee also approved HB 158, which would authorize coroners or medical examiners to remove corneas from the eyes of people whose deaths were caused by violent or unusual circumstances, unless there is objection from the next of kin. Dr. Richard Eiferman, medical director of the Lions Eye Bank in Louisville, told the committee there is a shortage of cornea tissue available for transplants. The House Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee voted to ask House members to submit proposed amendments to the state constitution no later than Feb. 20.

Debt-management office The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee approved a bill yesterday that would create an office for in Other rule changes, according to Karem, abolish the position of assistant majority leader and add Minority Caucus Chairman Walter Baker, R-Glasgow, to the Rules Committee. Nothing was said on the Senate floor yesterday about a proposed amendment to the rules by Sen. Helen Garrett, D-Paducah. Her amendment would have required assignment of senators to at least one preferred standing committee corresponding to an interim joint committee on which the senator served between sessions. Karem said the Democratic caucus had earlier approved rules changes presented by Majority Leader John Berry D-New Castle, but did not approve Mrs.

Garrett's amendment. Easterly, a co-sponsor with Sen. Danny Meyer, D-Louisville, of the milk-marketing measure, said that their SB 88 gives the General Assembly an opportunity to "let free enterprise work." Existing law prohibits retailers from selling milk below their own costs the wholesale price of the milk, plus overhead expenses. Easterly said if the legislature does not repeal the milk-price law, it could logically regulate egg and potato prices too. Senate committee action A bill exempting board of education employees with first-aid training from the higher rate, it was probably not legal, Committee Chairman Joe Clarke, D-Danville, said.

Both bills approved by the committee yesterday will go to the Rules Committee to be put on the House calendar. The committee passed over several other bills yesterday and tabled legislation that would have provided for an education incentive program for property valuation administrators and their staffs. School bills In other committee action yesterday, a measure requiring that the pledge of allegiance to the flag be recited daily in public-school classrooms barely escaped an early burial in the House Education Committee. Several committee members questioned the bill's constitutionality before Rep. Steve Wilborn, D-Shelbyville, moved to table it.

"Will that kill it?" asked Rep. Jim Yates, D-Shively, the bill's sponsor. He was told it would. "Couldn't we delay it then so I can bring in some experts from the American Legion to testify?" Yates asked. The committee agreed to give Yates two weeks to invite supporters of the measure to testify before the committee.

The committee did approve HB 138, By RICHARD WILSON and LIVINGSTON TAYLOR Courier-Journal Stall Writers FRANKFORT, Ky. The Senate passed a bill yesterday extending the terms of state-university regents and trustees and members of the state Council on Higher Education from four to six years. sen. Robert Martin, D-Richmond, said that Senate Bill 57 would increase continuity for those boards and would give them more independence from the governor. If the bill becomes law, it would prevent any one governor from naming all members of those boards during his four-year term.

Martin acknowledged that the bill might have a legal problem because Kentucky's Court of Appeals ruled in 1898 that appointees to state boards could serve terms no longer than four years. But he said that ruling might not be upheld if tested again. Martin, a former president of Eastern Kentucky University, said rulings in other states have held that members of higher-education boards are not necessarily state officials. "We believe that in light of newer decisions in other jurisdictions that we can sustain the six-year terms," he said. The bill passed 31-2.

Yesterday the Senate also passed and sent to the House a bill changing the name of workmen's compensation and a resolution related to teachers of youths with learning disabilities. The state is entitled to know all details, Heleringer said. He said state police have no right to conduct a closed-door investigation, although "no one condones what Graham did." During yesterday's short House meeting. Rep. Raymond Overstreet, R-Liber-ty, criticized the recent action by the state Milk Marketing and Antimonopoly Commission obtaining court orders to force Food Stores to raise their milk prices.

It is a "shame and disgrace," Over-street said, that taxpayers cannot get a break on milk prices because people paid by the state go to court to stop lower prices. A Franklin Circuit Court order issued Tuesday forbids from selling milk at prices below what the stores pay for it wholesale, plus overhead expenses. A hearing is scheduled Monday before the commission on a complaint it issued against charging the food chain with selling milk at less than cost. Senior-citizen discounts Earlier yesterday, the House Welfare Committee approved two bills. House Bill 91 would establish a statewide senior-citizen discount program in the Department for Human Resources to encourage merchants to give discounts to people 60 or older.

ouse measure would direct special probe of Graham's death The Courier-Journal Bureau FRANKFORT, Ky. Rep. Bob Heler-Jinger, R-Louisville, introduced a resolution yesterday calling for a special investigation of the fatal shooting of Clyde Daniel Graham by a Kentucky State Police detective. House Resolution 18 would direct the House Judiciary Committee to appoint a Jpecial subcommittee to investigate Graham's death last month. The resolution says that no determination has been made of who actually killed Graham and that state police have declined to give details of Graham's uleath other than that he was shot as he preached for a knife.

i Graham, 22, of Elizabethtown, had j-been sought in connection with the Nov. 7 slaying of state trooper Eddie Harris, 29, after Harris pulled over a speeding motorist in LaRue County. S-JThe search led to an Effingham, 111., tpabjel, where police tried to arrest Gra-tt3ffl. He was shot by Sgt. Eugene Coffey kJLjfclizabethtown.

48-minute coroner's inquest in Ef-JiUigham resulted in a verdict of justifi-Jagle homicide in connection with Gra-fchanv's. death. 'Heleringer told House members yes-iferttay that the inquest did not reveal the flails and that state police will conduct the only other investigation. 4.