Representative Tanya Pullin will be honored with the “Friend of Kentucky Cities” award on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at the 2012 Kentucky League of Cities Conference & Expo in Lexington.
The Friend of Kentucky Cities award is given by the KLC to legislators who perform outstanding work in the legislature advocating for issues that impact cities across the state.
In their announcement of the award, the KLC pointed to Rep. Pullin’s support of local governments and her sponsorship of House Bill 390 passed during the 2012 legislative session. The new law removes the incentive of immediate cash for the most commonly stolen metal items by requiring scrap metal dealers to pay for the items by check no sooner than 48 hours after a purchase is made. It also sets up close and instant two-way communication between scrap metal dealers and law enforcement.
“My thanks to the KLC for this award,” said Rep. Pullin, D-South Shore. “There are eight cities in the district that I represent. I value the importance of cities, small and large, to our quality of life, and I am glad to continue to work with them for the good of the people whom we serve.”
Rep. Pullin worked with cities and many other interest groups to develop a consensus on the legislation, which KLC Chief Governmental Affairs Officer J.D. Chaney said has helped law enforcement to apprehend thieves and has reduced the incentive to damage property in order to steal metal.
“Copper theft has cost local governments, private companies, utilities and property owners untold dollars in the last several years,” said Chaney. “To make matters worse, the money gained from the recycling of stolen metal is frequently used for drug transactions, which strikes at the heart of the quality of life in our communities.”
Jon Steiner, Executive Director/CEO of the KLC, commended Rep. Pullin for sponsoring House Bill 390.
“This legislation establishes a strong system to better protect taxpayer’s property from theft,” said Steiner. “Stolen manhole covers, street signs, storm grates, and other public property containing metal cost the citizens of our cities thousands of dollars each year.”
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