Representative Jill York

A great many issues confront the Commonwealth as lawmakers return to Frankfort to begin the 60-day session. Like many lawmakers, Rep. York hears from constituents daily about the difficulties they encounter with medical services, Medicaid or threats to their jobs. Other calls originate from fears about child safety or the risk of a retired person losing their pension. In order to make sure she knows which issues should be addressed, Rep. Jill York has turned to the web as the fastest way to gather opinions and concerns from the people of the 96th District.

"Our online constituent survey allows citizens to take an active role in this next session," said York. "Each respondent who takes the time to share their concerns helps me get a sense of the priorities and needs of our district. Fifteen little questions with room for extra comment can bring a lot of information to light about where our laws and regulations fall short of their intended goals." Click here to leave your feedback on a variety of issues that may come before the general assembly this year. Results of the survey will be published here on jillyork.com in February.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (December 4, 2014) – Representative Jill York, R-Grayson (96th District) has been appointed to serve on a newly created legislative committee tasked with examining Kentucky’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry and making recommendations on how to bring more visitors to Northeast Kentucky and the Commonwealth as a whole.
 
“I’m pleased to have been selected to serve on this important committee,” said Rep. York.  “I recognize the power of tourism as a valuable economic generator and support the idea of developing more adventure tourism in Carter and Lawrence County.  I look forward to bringing my ideas and energy to the table to develop ways we can better market the beauty of our area to visitors.”
 
“Rep. York’s background and involvement with her local chamber made her the ideal choice to serve on this committee,” said House Republican Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown.  “Her district should be proud that she will be one of 10 legislators from across the Commonwealth tasked with the important issue of drawing more out-of-state travelers to attractions like Carter Caves State Resort Park and Yatesville Lake.”
 
The committee will begin meeting in 2015 once establishment of the committee is ratified by the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.

Another great year for Rep. York and the "Back to School" program that brings legislators to schools to discuss the way our state government works and how important the role of each citizen is in that process. Materials are furnished by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Combining the information from an educational DVD about the adventures of "Citizen Brain," a TIME for Kids publication on what legislators do and a visit from their State Representatives can make the somewhat dry topic come alive.

This year, Louisa West and Fallsburg Elementary in Lawrence, Olive Hill Elementary in Carter and Tollesboro, Laurel and Central Elementary in Lewis County took their representative up on her offer to stop by and share a little about what legislators do.

"I am always delighted when kids begin to figure out how the process works, " explains York. "I try to make my talks very collaborative and bring them into the task of lawmaking. Once we get an idea for a bill started, then it gets really interesting as the students trouble-shoot the legislation and propose amendments." She described the vigor of the student debates and how involved they get when it comes time to vote on their measures. "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if several of these young people end up as community leaders someday!"

While many legislators saw themselves thrown into unknown territories by the maps passed for redistricting, Rep. York was delighted by the addition of Lawrence County to her district.

"It feels like a homecoming of sorts," she said. "My father's family all came from Lawrence County. He was the youngest of his brothers and sisters and then I was the youngest cousin of my generation. When I was a child, each visit to Louisa was a day long affair as we would stop and visit his friends all along the way."

She remarked about the warm reception she has gotten as she introduces herself to the county as their new voice in the legislature. "It's been delightful -- so many reconnections and lots of stories. One day in particular, it seemed like the question everyone had for me was, 'Now, you're Happy's daugher, right?' York is the daughter of the late James H. "Happy" York and late Sally Hunter York.

Rep. Jill York, R-Grayson (96th District) speaks out on the House floor regarding her opposition and describes the displeasure among people in her district to the House Democrats version of House Bill 1. The bill, which passed on Thursday, January 12, 2012 would divide Lewis County into three districts, and move Rep. York’s home county of Carter to another district.

York warned in her remarks that a challenge to the maps would most assuredly be brought and that was precisely what happened. The Kentucky Supreme Court found that the lines dividing districts were not properly drawn and the court upheld an injunction from a lower court to stop the use of the maps. This decision threw out the unconstitutional boundaries and lawmakers served and ran in the districts as they stood prior to the redistricting effort.

In order to meet population guidelines, new maps must be created to "even up" discrepancies between district sizes but it is hoped that the decision of the courts will help prevent partisan gerrymandering from being attempted again.