In the process of setting the 2018 Legislative Agenda, GLI’s Issue Committees welcomed three guest speakers with intimate knowledge of the inner workings of some of the region’s most valuable public institutions.

Senator Ernie Harris (R-Prospect) spoke with GLI’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He chairs the Kentucky State Senate’s Transportation Committee.  Sen. Harris focused on the importance of SHIFT, Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow, the new formula that assists in determining priority transportation projects based on economic impact, safety, congestion, asset management, and cost-benefit ratios. The 2018 General Assembly will set the road plan budget for the next several years. Multiple projects in the Greater Louisville region have been identified through this objective approach as high priorities. The legislature is also assessing the viability of the gas tax.

Senator Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville) addressed the Healthcare Committee.  She focused on Kentucky’s Medicaid Waiver, which currently being reviewed at the federal level. In 2018, state government will be studying Kentucky’s Medicaid system to find efficiencies and cost-savings. Sen. Adams, who chairs the Senate Health & Welfare Committee, also identified legislative priorities she will be focused on: peer review and tort reform, opioid addiction treatment, and smoking cessation programs.

Dr. Marty Pollio, Interim Superintendent for the Jefferson County Public School System, spoke with the Education and Workforce Development Committee. He told the group that he is focused on improving the culture and climate within JCPS at all levels.  Dr. Pollio said school curriculum must focus on deeper learning, and identified the Talent Development Academies that have just begun is an important step in that process. GLI is actively engaged in connecting businesses with JCPS to work within the academies. If your business is interested in getting involved, please reach out to Catherine Greenwell.

Dr Pollio also said that he is working on improving organizational coherence at all levels of the school system.  He identified the need for great principals to take on the challenges in underperforming schools across the district as a priority.  He also addressed importance of potential pension reforms and how the district will handle retirements by teachers. Dr. Pollio also told the committee that JCPS is actively engaged with a national organization to duplicate best practices in the implementation of charter schools.

GLI is pleased to be able to offer access to such important legislators and leaders to our investors and we thank Sen. Harris, Sen. Adams, and Dr. Pollio for taking time to speak with Greater Louisville’s business leaders.