Little more than a year after her election to the state legislature, Representative Kelly Flood (75^th district) already has ascended to the chairmanship of a crucial legislative committee.

In July, Kelly chaired her first meeting of the Program Review and Investigations Committee, an interim committee charged with ensuring that government programs begun by the legislature over the years are still effective, efficient and necessary.

The Committee, which has subpoena power, consists of eight representatives and eight senators with a staff of 10. The staff studies and investigates various state agencies and programs, and then offers analysis and recommendations to the Committee.

Armed with the knowledge generated by her Committee, Kelly then can employ her consensus-building skills to promote better government for Kentucky.

“At the table of informed decision-making in our state, I intend to be the progressive. The work on this vital committee will ensure that I – and my legislative colleagues – have the knowledge we need to legislate good public policy.

Despite the dire headlines about the fate of the retirement fund for state employees, Representative Kelly Flood sees cause for optimism after hearing a report in the Program Review and Investigations Committee she chairs.

Clearly, the potential for shortfall of the fund is a possibility, Kelly said.

“As we have encouraged early retirement to cut budgets, coupled with the downturn in the global economy, we are now in imbalance,” Kelly said.

But there is good news to report as well, she said.

“We are monitoring this, aware of where we are and are tracking it,” she said. “As the economy turns around, we are in position to ensure the viability of the system.”

Kelly is dedicated to the proposition that the state should be a good employer and honor its commitments – especially to dedicated employees who have sacrificed earning power to serve the commonwealth.

“I don’t want to send the message that Kentucky state employees who serve the public are the problem. I don’t want to see them demonized,” Kelly said.

“They’ve devoted their lives to public service, and we should not penalize them now for choosing this career path even if it means we need to raise the necessary revenues to make up the difference.”

After hearing a report on health care services and public schools presented to the Program Review and Investigations Committee, Representative Kelly Flood, chairperson of the Committee, was impressed with the services provided to children with chronic illnesses.

“The degree of awareness about the need for children to be healthy is impressive,” Kelly said. “Necessary services are being delivered by many school districts throughout the state.”

Still, improvements are needed to ensure that all students with chronic illnesses are being served.

“More funding and better coordination would ensure that health services are distributed evenly and equally across the state,” she said.