{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"The News Journal","provider_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net","title":"82nd Rep. Regina Huff discusses special session &ndash; The News Journal","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Jsrqo34NsW\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/82nd-rep-regina-huff-discusses-special-session\/\">82nd Rep. Regina Huff discusses special session<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/82nd-rep-regina-huff-discusses-special-session\/embed\/#?secret=Jsrqo34NsW\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;82nd Rep. Regina Huff discusses special session&#8221; &#8212; The News Journal\" data-secret=\"Jsrqo34NsW\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Regina-Bunch.jpg","thumbnail_width":336,"thumbnail_height":342,"description":"State Representative Regina Petrey Huff, R-Williamsburg, is unable to attend the special legislative session because of a family emergency. Gov. Andy Beshear called the special session beginning Tuesday for the purpose of extending the state of emergency that Beshear had declared in response to the COVID\u201319 pandemic from March 6, 2020 to January 15. In his proclamation ordering the special session, Beshear also asked the legislature to take action on: Set the criteria for which he may exercise authority to require facial covering in indoor settings during the state of emergency; Provide additional flexibility for school districts to use alternatives to in-person instruction during the current school year, including: non-traditional instruction, remote instruction and hybrid instruction; Provide additional sick leave days to eligible staff members, reimburse school districts for the cost of the leave, and provide additional staffing support by determining the circumstances under which retired teachers and student teachers can provide instruction. Appropriate up to $69.268 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide vaccination programs, testing, contact tracing and support for isolation and quarantine, public health services, public communication efforts, purchases of personal equipment and other COVID\u201319 mitigation tactics; Fund program and provide incentives for economic development projects in excess of $2 billion. \u201cThis is one of the most dangerous times we\u2019ve experienced this entire pandemic, with the delta variant burning through Kentucky and taking more of our loved ones and neighbors. It\u2019s also overwhelming more and more of our hospitals and shutting down our schools,\u201d the\u00a0Governor\u00a0said. \u201cWe need as many tools as possible to fight this deadly surge in order to save lives, keep our children in school and keep our economy churning.\u201d Beshear noted that more than 7,840 Kentuckians have died from COVID\u201319 in the last 18 months. \u201cI have been there for all planning up until the call,\u201d Huff said noting that the family emergency involves critical care for her sister. \u201cI have served with the best of my ability always,\u201d Huff said. \u201cIn the 10 plus years I have served, it is rare that I haven\u2019t been in my seat. However, I am not emotionally capable of being there, and I apologize.\u201d Huff said she has friends on the House of Representatives Education Committee, which she chairs, who will be able to present the necessary bills and move legislation forward. Huff said the education component of the legislation would, among other things Bring the decision on masking students, faculty and staff back under local control Give school systems the option to quarantine one room or one school as opposed to the entire district Require students to be in attendance at school in their rooms during the school day Permit retired teachers to return to the classroom without incurring a penalty on their retirement. \u201cI don\u2019t think my vote on any issue would have any bearing on the outcomes of any votes taken these next few days,\u201d Huff said noting that if Beshear elects to veto the legislation the House of Representatives would still have the necessary votes to override it. &nbsp;"}