SCHICKEL CONTINUES EFFORT TO REOPEN ROUTE BETWEEN THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICES

SCHICKEL CONTINUES EFFORT TO REOPEN ROUTE BETWEEN

THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICES

Senator John Schickel's Senate Bill 75 approved by Senate Transportation Committee

FRANKFORT, KY (Jan. 24, 2024) - On Wednesday, Senator John Schickel, R-Union, presented Senate Bill (SB) 75 before the Senate Transportation Committee, which was approved favorably.  If ultimately enacted, the bill would require the route between the Kentucky state Capitol and the Capitol Annex building in Frankfort to be reopened to vehicular traffic. SB 75 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. 

The measure has cleared the Senate in two previous legislative sessions but has never been taken up by the state House of Representatives.

"This is my last legislative session as senator of Boone County. Getting this road back open so residents of my district, all Kentuckians and visitors to our incredible state can enjoy it is important to me," Schickel said of the committee approval of SB 75. "I appreciate my Senate colleagues' long-time support for this effort, including all 23 who signed as co-sponsors. I strongly encourage my friends in the state House to pass this bill. Hopefully, the third time's the charm." 

BACKGROUND

In September 2021, Governor Andy Beshear, citing security recommendations from the U.S. Secret Service and Kentucky State Police, closed this portion of Capital Avenue. Beshear's roadway closure came nearly one year after erecting a security fence around the Governor's Mansion and the complete closure of the state Capitol building to visitors from March 2020 to July 2021.

Since the route's closure, lawmakers and visitors to the Capitol campus have reported a heavy increase in vehicular traffic through the Capitol Annex parking lot, increasing the risk of pedestrian injury.

To remedy this concern and ensure the route is reopened to Kentucky residents and tourists alike, Schickel introduced SB 75. He filed the same measure in the two previous legislative sessions: SB 11 in the 2023 Legislative Session and SB 98 in the 2022 Legislative Session.

"I often organize field trips from my district in Boone County to come and visit our beautiful state Capitol and, for the most part, attendees are elderly and not very mobile," Schickel previously said.

"I was incredibly disappointed when this route was closed because it took away something special for Kentuckians. That is the open access to this jewel of a capitol, which I think is the best in the United States."

Shortly after the route's closure in 2021, Schickel penned a letter to Governor Beshear expressing his disappointment in hopes the Governor would reconsider. He wrote:

"Kentucky has the most beautiful state capitol in the nation. One of the reasons people enjoy it is because of the easy access to it. Seniors especially enjoy visiting the capital in springtime when they can drive around the Capitol and see the gorgeous tulips, the floral clock and the rose garden without ever getting out of their cars. In the winter, they enjoy the same experience with the beautiful Christmas decorations that adorn the Capitol, Annex and Governor's Mansion."

Schickel also emphasized the importance of not limiting residents' First Amendment rights, saying:

             "Often residents, expressing their First Amendment rights to petition the government, form caravans whether it be by using beer trucks, milk trucks, school buses, or vehicles adorned with

signs and loudspeakers. Personally, as a state legislator, I have always enjoyed this experience interacting with constituents who agree and disagree with me. Ending this Kentucky political

tradition would be a mistake."

Schickel, a former law enforcement officer and  U.S. Marshal appointed by President George Bush expressed respect for the recommendations but felt security must be balanced with the need for an open government in a representative republic.

"We can protect people here on campus without closing a route that's been a long-standing tradition here in the commonwealth," Schickel said in a 2023 release from the Senate Majority Caucus. "If safety and security is the true concern, the most honest and consistent action we could take is to close the entire Capitol and Annex campus."

SB 75 would still allow law enforcement and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to temporarily close the route during events or if a threat warrants the action.

A vote of 8-2 approved the measure, and several members, including Senators Robby Mills, R-Henderson, and Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, brought attention to the fact that with capitol renovations over the next few years, the flow of traffic around the state Capitol building will be even more congested and dangerous with the avenue's closure. 

Hear Senator Schickel's presentation of the bill HERE via his Facebook page. Find SB 75 at legislature.ky.gov and visit KET.org/legislature/archives to access footage from the Wednesday, Jan. 24, Senate Transportation Committee meeting.

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Senator John Schickel, R-Union, represents the 11th Senate District in northern and central Boone County. He is Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee chair. He also serves as a Senate Banking and Insurance, Judiciary, and Natural Resources and Energy committee member.