Ballotpedia, Lisa Willner

Lisa graduated from Jefferson High School. She then earned her bachelor's degree from Yale University, and both her master's and doctorate degrees from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Lisa was the previous executive director of the Kentucky Psychology Association and taught in the psychology department at Bellarmine University.

Lisa Willner is a state representative for District 35. She was elected in 2018 and is serving her third term. She was also elected to the Jefferson County School Board in 2014, and served 1 term until her election to the House in 2018.

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Opposes the 2018 tax changes which "gave tax breaks to the wealthiest Kentuckians," and supports HB 354 to restore tax exemptions for non-profit organizations.

Opposes the 2018 tax changes which "gave tax breaks to the wealthiest Kentuckians," and supports a proposal to restore tax exemptions for non-profit organizations.

Supports the growth of industrial hemp, noting an increase from 33 acres in 2014 to 42,000 acres in 2019 in Kentucky.

As a state representative, filed House Bill (HB) 126 to increase transparency and accountability in overseeing Kentucky’s public pensions.

As a state representative, proposed legislation to increase transparency and accountability in overseeing Kentucky’s public pensions.

- Opposes the 2018 tax changes which "gave tax breaks to the wealthiest Kentuckians," and supports a proposal to restore tax exemptions for non-profit organizations.
- Supports the growth of industrial hemp, noting an increase from 33 acres in 2014 to 42,000 acres in 2019 in Kentucky.
- As a state representative, proposed legislation to increase transparency and accountability in overseeing Kentucky’s public pensions.

Economy

Supports gun control, saying "Data shows that states with lenient gun laws have three times the rate of gun deaths than states with sensible gun safety legislation."

Supports gun control, saying "data shows that states with lenient gun laws have three times the rate of gun deaths than states with sensible gun safety legislation."

Opposes mandating law enforcement officers in schools, suggesting local School-Based Decision Making Councils should decide.

Opposes mandating law enforcement officers in schools, suggesting local school-based decision making councils should decide.

Opposes SB 150, which eliminates the concealed carry permitting system, arguing it jeopardizes child safety by allowing firearms to bypass checks that have historically prevented access to felons and domestic abusers.

Opposed a bill to eliminate the concealed carry permitting system, arguing it jeopardizes child safety by allowing firearms to bypass checks that have historically prevented access to felons and domestic abusers.

- Supports gun control, saying "data shows that states with lenient gun laws have three times the rate of gun deaths than states with sensible gun safety legislation."
- Opposes mandating law enforcement officers in schools, suggesting local school-based decision making councils should decide.
- Opposed a bill to eliminate the concealed carry permitting system, arguing it jeopardizes child safety by allowing firearms to bypass checks that have historically prevented access to felons and domestic abusers.

Public Safety

Opposes "conversion therapy" and supports HB12 to protect individuals from this practice by licensed health providers.

Opposes "conversion therapy" and supports a law to prohibit it.

Opposes HB253 and SB84, which would prevent transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming healthcare.

Opposes bills which would ban transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming healthcare.

Supports legislation to assist Kentuckians with disabilities, including home retrofitting and expanding health insurance for prosthetics and durable medical equipment.

Supports House Bill 23 to eliminate the sales tax on necessary feminine hygiene products.

Supports a bill to eliminate the sales tax on necessary feminine hygiene products.

- Opposes "conversion therapy" and supports a law to prohibit it.
- Opposes bills which would ban transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming healthcare.
- Supports legislation to assist Kentuckians with disabilities, including home retrofitting and expanding health insurance for prosthetics and durable medical equipment.
- Supports a bill to eliminate the sales tax on necessary feminine hygiene products.

Healthcare

Supports HB 158, creating a foster child's "bill of rights" in Kentucky, ensuring 16 fundamental rights for foster care children, including access to food, clothing, shelter, and a stable family.

Supports a bill creating a foster child's "bill of rights" in Kentucky, ensuring 16 fundamental rights for foster care children, including access to food, clothing, shelter, and a stable family.

- Supports a bill creating a foster child's "bill of rights" in Kentucky, ensuring 16 fundamental rights for foster care children, including access to food, clothing, shelter, and a stable family.

Education

Opposes Senate Bill (SB) 100, which would impose a fee on utilities for purchasing excess renewable energy, and supports the growth of Kentucky's solar energy industry.

Supports the growth of Kentucky's solar energy industry, and opposed a bill to impose a fee on utilities for purchasing excess renewable energy.

Supports community involvement in addressing airport noise, attending public meetings to represent constituents' quality of life concerns.

Filed HB478 to prevent utility shut-offs during extreme weather and require written notice of shut-offs, addressing hardships faced by financially insecure Kentuckians during emergencies.

Proposed legislation to prevent utility shut-offs during extreme weather and require written notice of shut-offs.

- Supports the growth of Kentucky's solar energy industry, and opposed a bill to impose a fee on utilities for purchasing excess renewable energy.
- Supports community involvement in addressing airport noise, attending public meetings to represent constituents' quality of life concerns.
- Proposed legislation to prevent utility shut-offs during extreme weather and require written notice of shut-offs.

Energy & the Environment

Supports mandatory electronic filing of campaign finance reports to enhance public transparency and expedite information availability for voters.

Believes in requiring public comment periods in legislative committees.

- Supports mandatory electronic filing of campaign finance reports to enhance public transparency and expedite information availability for voters.
- Believes in requiring public comment periods in legislative committees.

Voting & Elections

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Lisa Willner

As of September 30, 2024, Lisa Willner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lisa previously served as the executive director of the Kentucky Psychology Association and taught in the psychology department at Bellarmine University.

Lisa Willner was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2018 and is serving her 3rd term. She was also elected to the Jefferson County School Board in 2014.

- Supports the growth of Kentucky's solar energy industry, and opposed a bill to impose a fee on utilities for purchasing excess renewable energy.
- Proposed legislation to prevent utility shut-offs during extreme weather and require written notice of shut-offs.
- Supports community involvement in addressing airport noise, attending public meetings to represent constituents' quality of life concerns.

As of September 23, 2024, Lisa Willner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lisa Willner is a State Representative for the 35th District in Kentucky. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Psychology Association and taught in the Psychology Department at Bellarmine University for nearly 20 years. She was also elected to the Jefferson County School Board in 2014.

Lisa Willner was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2018 and is serving her 3rd term. She has served on the Education, Health and Family Services, Appropriations & Revenue Committees, and Medicaid Oversight Committees, as well as several legislative task forces.

Believes the tone of economic policy discussions has improved but lacks vision and fails to address "very real challenges."

Believes the legislature's biggest issues are adopting a two-year budget for state government and redistricting, both of which are currently unresolved.

Believes HB 268, which opens the budget for other projects, could be "consequential" and needs to be watched for last-minute additions.

Supports mandatory national and state background checks for child residential home and placement agency staff.

As a state representative, unanimously voted for HB 60, a bipartisan bill to strengthen sexual harassment policies in the Legislative Branch.

Believes House Bill (HB) 60 is a "meaningful first step" toward enhancing safety in the State Capitol, particularly for women.

Believes in applying the ethical principle of "do no harm" when voting on legislation, and supports considering the views of those most affected by bills and the appropriate role of the legislature in addressing issues.

Supports House Bill 136 (HB136) to legalize medicinal cannabis in Kentucky, noting its progress through the legislature and increased Senate support, believing it will likely become law soon.

Supports HB 121, which would eliminate the requirement for insurance companies to authorize the prescribing of life-saving anti-addiction drugs such such as methadone.

Supports HB354, which would increase access to healthcare by removing restrictions on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.

Opposes HB324, believing it imposes "onerous barriers" to reproductive healthcare for pregnant minors, disproportionately affecting impoverished youth and victims of incest and assault.

Believes in supporting student advocates and social justice champions through education.

Opposes HB 525, which reduces teachers' role in KTRS Board nominations from seven to two.

Believes committee chairs have significant discretion in determining which bills are discussed, saying, "Many of the bills that are filed during the session never get to a committee hearing."

Believes SBDM Councils should have the authority to make local education decisions.

Believes the tribunal process could be improved and that "good policy comes out of authentic grassroots engagement with the people most affected."

Believes the tribunal system for teacher dismissal appeals could be improved, but "good policy comes out of authentic grassroots engagement with the people most affected."

Believes the voting process lacks transparency and is difficult for legislators and the public to monitor.

Believes transparency is a significant concern in voting rights and elections.

Believes voters enabled odd-year legislative sessions through a 2000 constitutional amendment.

Supports the odd-year legislative sessions, which last 30 days instead of 60 and include a three-week gap in January before completing the majority of work in February and March.

Believes in upholding certified election results and supports allowing elected officials to serve their full terms without contest if elections are certified by officials.

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Kentucky State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Kentucky General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 100 members of the Kentucky House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 24 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They only serve in the role part-time. 
- In addition to a $203 per day salary, state representatives also receive mileage reimbursements and a daily expense stipend of $182. 

Kentucky State Representative, District 35

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