January 2019 - Adkisson luncheon

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Adkisson gave a legislative update to members of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon hosted by the SEKCC at the University of Pikeville recently.
 

Among the items Adkisson  tabbed as important for the chamber to watch during the 2019 legislative session in January included: Modernization of the state’s unemployment insurance, improving the state’s legal climate, reforming the state’s bail system, allowing sports wagering and enacting tobacco-free schools.
 

Adkisson said the Kentucky Chamber represents the interest of 68,000 employers across the state, ranging from larger companies such as the United Parcel Service and Toyota, and smaller businesses such as local insurance agents. 
 

“We let business people decide the issues that we are going to be for,” said Adkisson, pointing out a packet titled ‘2019 Legislative Priorities.
 

He noted that since 2017, Republicans have held a majority in the legislature, during which time a number of pro-business legislation has been passed, including right to work and prevailing wage legislation.
 

Another topic Adkisson mentioned was the pension crisis, which was included in a sewer bill before being sent for vote. He said he expects a decision from the Kentucky Supreme Court in that case as of Thursday.
 

“That is before the Supreme Court right now, and the Supreme Court is looking at the process by which it was passed, not the content of what the bill did, but the process. Was it constitutional?” Adkisson said.

He said if the Supreme Court votes to overturn the passing, it would have a dramatic effect on the 2019 legislative session because that would become a main focus of the session.
 

Other top priorities of the chamber includes improving infrastructure and increasing the state’s road fund, tax reform, unemployment benefits and education.
 

In terms of education, Adkisson said Kentucky’s progress has plateaued. He mentioned education reform in 1990.
 

“There was about a generation where we were gaining national ground,” he said. “We moved out of the basement of the rankings upward with the pack, and that has now plateaued.”
 

He said some of that plateau can be attributed to funding, but he noted that the pension crisis also plays a role in that.
 

Adkisson encouraged chamber members to stay informed, encouraging members to reach out to their legislators.