Louisville, Ky. (May 31, 2022) – Greater Louisville Inc. released its annual legislative outcomes report following Kentucky and Indiana’s legislative sessions. The report identifies its biggest policy wins, priorities that did not clear the finish line, and the policymakers whose voting records aligned with GLI’s priorities.
GLI’s top priority heading into the legislative session was comprehensive tax reform to help the region better compete for investment and talent. GLI championed House Bill 8 to lower the state income tax by half a percentage point until it is eventually eliminated. The Indiana legislature also voted to lower their state income rate below three percent.
Other top priorities that are now law include a new Employee Child Care Assistance program, funding for childcare support services and Louisville-specific programs, increased resources to support childhood literacy, and policies to address the severe shortage of nurses.
“Our advocacy team logged over 500 hours in Frankfort, and conducted over 250 in-person meetings over a 60 day span to advocate for the Greater Louisville business community and pursue policies that will help accelerate our economy’s growth,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of GLI. “I am proud we were able to pass bold policies that will positively impact existing businesses and help bring new investment to our region in the years ahead.”
To celebrate those legislators in the region who voted with GLI priorities 90 percent of the time, the report also names 2022’s Most Valuable Policymakers (MVPs):
- Senator Julie Raque Adams
- Representative Ken Fleming
- Representative Samara Heavrin
- Senator Jimmy Higdon
- Representative Chad McCoy
- Representative Jerry Miller
- Senator Mike Nemes
- Speaker of the House David Osborne
- Senate President Robert Stivers
- Representative Russell Webber
The report also outlines missed opportunities where the legislature either failed to pass top priorities or passed bills GLI opposed. Missed opportunities included failing to pass House Bill 475 to start the process to allow for local tax reform and legalizing sports wagering, as well as passing several discriminatory bills that could negatively impact talent and business attraction and retention.
To view a full list of wins, missed opportunities and a scorecard that shares how Greater Louisville legislators voted on key GLI priorities, view the full report here.
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