LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2017) – Before a crowd of business, civic, and community leaders, Greater Louisville Inc. – the Metro Chamber of Commerce, released its legislative priorities for the upcoming sessions in both Kentucky and Indiana.
“We look forward to this being a very productive session and the newly-formed Louisville Metropolitan Caucus being a springboard to move us forward on many different issues,” GLI President and CEO Kent Oyler told the crowd. “Each one of these measures and actions allows Kentucky to compete on better ground in the global economy.”
The 2018 State Legislative Agenda includes support for workers’ compensation, tort, and unemployment insurance reforms, among other priorities. In addition, GLI is supporting the idea of creating essential skills programs in high schools, increasing the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21, and more comprehensive criminal justice reform for non-violent offenders. In partnership with One Southern Indiana, GLI will also be advocating for the Nurse Licensure Compact to streamline the licensing agreement between states to increase the number of nurses able to fill staffing shortages on both sides of the river.
Perennial issues like support for comprehensive tax and pension reform, expanded gaming, and road aid modernization are also included in the 2018 agenda.
“Ultimately, GLI’s success in advocating for these priorities and getting them to the governor’s desk is Greater Louisville’s success,” Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, GLI’s C.O.O., said. “The most competitive communities across the globe are those with a steadfast commitment to improving their workforce, quality of life, and business climate through aggressive, proactive advocacy.”
The program also featured a panel of four legislators from the Louisville Metropolitan area discussing strategies to bridge the Urban-Rural Divide. Senator Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon), Senator Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville), House Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne (R-Prospect), and Representative Dean Schamore (D-Hardinsburg) participated in the panel. Lawrence Smith of WDRB moderated the panel’s discussion.
GLI’s Legislative Agenda is set by its six issue committees, the Public Policy Council, and the Board of Directors, which are comprised of various business leaders and investors in GLI. A full version of the agenda can be found on GLIAdvocacy.com.
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