Session Results: Improving our economy

Over the past six years, the legislature has worked to systematically address the barriers standing in the way of economic growth and prosperity. As a result of that work, we have achieved real measurable results that include record-breaking job growth, economic investment, and state revenue. Last month, we learned that Fitch Ratings, an international credit rating agency, increased the state's credit rating in two key areas. Also, the state's unemployment rate hit an all-time low. Both events are historic and provide evidence that the policies we are enacting are paying off for our state. However, we are far from finished with that work, as areas of our commonwealth have not seen opportunities develop at the same rate. And, record job growth has led to a staggering need for employees as more than 130,000 jobs remain open and there are 20,000 fewer Kentuckians in the workforce today than in January of 2020.

While economic development efforts come from a number of legislative committees, the House Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment tackles the core issues like unemployment insurance and oversight of the cabinet responsible for building the economy. Here are a few examples of the issues considered by the committee this session that passed into law.

Unemployment Insurance reform updates, Rep. Russell Webber — HB 146 ensures UI reforms passed during the 2022 Regular session conform with U.S. Department of Labor requirements, including extending to 16 weeks the maximum time an individual can draw benefits.

Reorganization: Cabinet for Economic Development, Rep. Josh Branscum — HB 303 reorganizes the Cabinet for Economic Development to better align with current operations. HB 303 also makes companies engaged in hydrogen transmission eligible for economic development programs and addresses grants, aid, and programs related to skills and trade, rural hospitals, and disaster relief.

Ensuring access to health care — traveling nurses, Rep. Rebecca Raymer — HB 502 clarifies that international travel nursing agencies are excluded from the legislation passed during 2022 to address the hiring and recruiting of temporary nurses.

Including local voices in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Collaborative, Rep. Russell Webber — HB 586 increases the board of Kentucky Education and Workforce Collaborative to 21 members, one of whom will represent the Kentucky League of Cities.

Paycheck protection/collection of union dues, Sen. Robby Mills — SB 7 prohibits the use of taxpayer funded payroll systems to collect dues for unions. The bill excludes organizations which primarily represent public employees working in law enforcement, jail correction officers, or firefighters. Emergency Clause. Vetoed and Overridden

Providing boards of education more flexibility, Sen. Max Wise — SB 169 grants a local board of education the authority to enter a public-private partnership on behalf of a school district.

I would like to hear from you regarding your interest in any of the issues before the Kentucky General Assembly relating to economic development or otherwise. Feel free to reach out any time through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181 or by email at Kim.King@lrc.ky.gov. If you would like to receive regular email updates, please send me a message. For more information, please visit the legislature's website at legislature.ky.gov.