Adhering to pandemic protocols, Kentucky legislators continue to meet during the General Assembly’s Interim period through December. This follows a Regular Session abbreviated by COVID-19 in which lawmakers went from considering drafts of a two-year state budget to instead passing an austere one-year spending plan.

Advocating for local co-op consumer-members, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives supported the passage of a bill that sets the stage for a broadband deployment fund to help construct infrastructure to provide broadband service to underserved and unserved areas of the commonwealth. Co-ops also watched the session closely and with concern about the potential addition of a sales tax on residential electric bills.

“Thanks to thousands of local co-op members who signed up for grassroots action on RuralPowerKY. com, legislators understood that removing the sales tax exemption on home power bills was a major concern,” says Chase Crigler, community and government affairs director at Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “Your voices were heard. No bill was filed to advance that plan.”

In appreciation of legislators’ restraint on the sales tax issue, we’ve recognized them on the 2020 Kentucky General Assembly Honor Roll (see opposite page) for their support of co-op priorities.

Influential support

As Kentucky co-ops grapple with the economic fallout of the pandemic, they have had some influential support in Washington, D.C. Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr met virtually with Kentucky co-op leaders, listening to the needs and concerns—“on the ground”—back home in Kentucky, and directing their respective staffs to stay in regular contact with co-ops.

“These open lines of communication have helped them not only craft meaningful relief legislation,” says Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, “but also advocate to make sure federal agencies are responsive to co-op needs.”

Future needs

Perry says that as future recovery efforts take shape, co-ops look forward to continuing to work with elected officials on proposals that ensure electric co-ops have the flexibility and financial relief they need to deliver affordable, reliable electricity.

“From increasing federal assistance for utility payments to supporting high-quality broadband in rural America, the commonwealth’s electric cooperatives stand ready to support bipartisan solutions for the communities we serve,” Perry says.

In this week’s safety video, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Safety instructor, Tony Dempsey, explains the importance of a personal voltage detectors in the field. With their schedule of training and safety talks interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, our safety instructors are releasing weekly videos for local co-op personnel while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Be sure to subscribe to the statewide office’s YouTube channel. The safety team is also conducting live video conferences with local cooperatives by request.

Carol Leavell Barr, the wife of Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr, died unexpectedly at the family’s home in Lexington on Tuesday night, according to Barr’s office. She was 39.

“Congressman Andy Barr’s wife Carol passed away suddenly tonight at the family home in Lexington,” said Barr’s Chief of Staff Mary Rosado in a statement. “During this tragic time, we respectfully ask for privacy for Congressman Barr and his family to grieve Mrs. Barr being called home to heaven. Congressman Barr may release a more detailed statement at a later date, but right now is solely focused on being a father to his two beautiful daughters.”

Andy and Carol Barr married in 2009 and have two young daughters, Eleanor and Mary Clay.

“Kentucky’s electric cooperatives joins all of Kentucky in expressing deep sympathy to Congressman Barr, Andy and Carol’s children and their extended families upon this incredible loss. Our co-op family is praying for you,” said Chris Perry, president of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives.
Elected leaders and notable figures of all political backgrounds united in an outpouring of tributes and expressions of sympathy.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell:
“Elaine and I are stunned and heartbroken at the news of Carol’s passing. Her warmth filled whatever room she entered and her contributions made Kentucky a better place for all of us. And to Eleanor and Mary Clay, Carol was a wonderful role model and source of constant love. We send our sincere condolences to Andy, their family and his staff at this terribly painful time.”

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul:
“Our hearts are heavy tonight. Kelley and I offer our deepest condolences to Rep. Andy Barr, his two daughters, family, and friends. Please join us in praying for them during this incredibly difficult time.”

Governor Andy Beshear:
“Britainy and I are heartbroken for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and his family tonight at the sad news of the unexpected passing of the congressman’s wife, Carol. We are praying for the Barr family.”

Congressman Hal Rogers:
Cynthia & I extend our deepest condolences to our friend Rep. Andy Barr and his sweet daughters. Carol was always a joy to be around. She had a smile that lit up every room, radiating with the love she had for her family & our state. Unexpected tragedies of this measure are difficult to understand, but we pray for peace and strength for the entire Barr family.”

Congressman Brett Guthrie:
“Beth and I are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Carol Barr. I have known Carol and her family for years, and I always enjoyed spending time with her and Andy. Carol was a devoted mother to their two daughters and a lifelong Kentuckian. Please join Beth and me in praying for the Barr family as they mourn this devastating loss.”

Congressman James Comer:
“TJ and I are devastated to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague Rep. Andy Barr’s wife, Carol. Our prayers go out to Andy and his beautiful daughters during this unimaginable time.”

Eli Capilouto, University of Kentucky President:
“Mary Lynne and I extend our deepest condolences to Congressman Andy Barr, his daughters and his family in the tragic loss of Carol. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers will be with them during this time.”

Attorney General Daniel Cameron:
“Heartbroken to learn of Carol Barr’s passing. Carol was a wonderful mother and wife, and she was beloved by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed. My heartfelt prayers are with Andy, their children, and their entire family as they mourn this unspeakable loss.”

Secretary of State Michael Adams:
“I remember the day years ago when my friend Andy Barr told me about the extraordinary woman he’d met, and how he thought she was the one. He was right on both. My heart breaks for Carol, Andy and their beautiful family.”

Treasurer Allison Ball:
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend Carol Barr, wife of Congressman Andy Barr. They attended our wedding. The memories I have of her are of kindness, warmth, understanding, & encouragement. She is deeply missed. Praying for Andy and their two precious, young daughters.”

Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles:
“As a Scott County native, I have known Carol my entire life,” said Commissioner Quarles. “Carol was a valued member of our community, a wife, and, above all, a mother to two daughters. Every time I saw her, she had a smile on her face, which shined like the Kentucky sun. I mourn the loss of my friend and cannot imagine the level of grief Andy and his family are experiencing. My prayers are with Andy and his daughters during this time. I ask that all of Kentucky join me in praying for them.”

Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Harmon:
“My heart goes out to Andy on the sudden passing of his beautiful wife and wonderful mother to their two girls, Carol. My family and I ask all Kentuckians to extend your heartfelt sympathy to the Barr and Leavell families, not only now but in the days and weeks to come.
As written in Proverbs 18:22, ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing. And obtains favor from the Lord.'”

U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath (who challenged Barr in 2018):
“My heart goes out to Andy and his two daughters over the tragic loss of Carol. They are in our prayers. While we were political competitors, we are Kentuckians first. I hope they feel the love of many and we wish him great strength during this very trying time.”

U.S. Senate candidate Mike Broihier:
“Lynn and I are sad to hear of the passing of Congressman Andy Barr’s wife, Carol. Rep. Barr, you and your young ones are in our hearts tonight, and you’re welcome on our farm any time.”

Josh Hicks, Democratic candidate for Congress:
“My prayers are with Rep. Andy Barr, his children, and his entire family. This is an unimaginable loss. While we may disagree politically, we’re both family men and I can’t fathom the pain he must be experiencing right now.”

Kentucky Secretary of Transportation Jim Gray, (former Lexington mayor):
“Carol Barr was loving, caring and compassionate. Her smile and spirit were irrepressible and her life represented devotion to family and friends and the broader community she embraced and touched each day. My sympathies to Rep. Andy Barr and their children and his full family.”

In this week’s safety video, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Safety instructor, Tony Dempsey, helps you avoid sprains and strains in the workplace. With their schedule of training and safety talks interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, our safety instructors are releasing weekly videos for local co-op personnel while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Be sure to subscribe to the statewide office’s YouTube channel. The safety team is also conducting live video conferences with local cooperatives by request.

You hear a lot of calls for bipartisanship in Frankfort and in Washington, D.C., but what does that actually mean?

For some people, being bipartisan means coming around to their way of thinking. To others, it can mean putting party allegiances aside for the sake of a particular goal.

Kentucky Electric Cooperatives is a nonpartisan association that supports the 26 electric co-ops serving approximately 1.5 million people in 117 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. Because we are nonpartisan, we work with people from all political stripes to advance the interests of you, our local co-op consumer-members.

Gov. Andy Beshear said it well in his inaugural address: “Kentuckians have more in common—regardless of what party we belong to—than any national divisions that can pull us apart. We are on the same team.” I couldn’t agree more.

We are proud to partner with Beshear, a Democrat, on Beautify the Bluegrass (see page 10). This annual campaign to encourage homegrown improvement projects across the commonwealth was started by former Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican.

Just as we partnered in 2016 with then-Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, a Democrat, to launch our Co-ops Vote campaign, for the 2020 election, we are joining forces with newly elected Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican.

As you may have seen in the January issue of Kentucky Living, our 26 electric co-op leaders selected Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to receive the Distinguished Rural Kentuckian award in November for his significant contributions to rural Kentucky. Though our association does not track the party affiliations of everyone who has received this award, of the previous elected leaders who have been honored since the award started in 1982, nine have been Democrats and four, like McConnell, are Republicans.

Just as we published a candidate forum with both Beshear and Bevin for last year’s governor’s race, Kentucky Living plans to publish a preview in the October issue covering this fall’s election for president and U.S. Senate.

We understand this means that occasionally you may read about a public official you oppose for one reason or another. Please know that our nonpartisan commitment is to local electric co-ops, their members and the quality of life in Kentucky.