The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce provides leadership as a catalyst, consensus-builder and advocate to unite business and advance Kentucky.
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Results for BusinessWhat passed. What didn’t. And what it means to your bottom line.
2014 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Lack of legislative progress disappointingTHE STATE BUDGET is always the giantin the room when the General Assemblymeets in even-numbered years. That’s under-standable, since the two-year spending plansets policy and determines the direction ofstate agencies across the board.
As the giant, the budget gets the mostlegislative time and attention, particularly inthe closing days and hours when differencesbetween the House and Senate are debated inmarathon (and sometimes contentious) negotiation sessions.
This might make it understandable that,in so-called budget sessions, there generally islimited progress on other initiatives. Add thefact that even-numbered years also find allHouse seats and half of the Senate seats onthe ballot, and you have a scenario that favorsslow walking on the policy front.
Again, that might be understandable.But understandable and acceptable are twoentirely different things, and the missed opportunities of the just-concluded 2014 session falls well into the “disappointment”category.
Granted, the 2014-2016 enacted budgetdoes include several positive elements, particu-larly in its restoration of funding for elementaryand secondary education that was lost duringthe recession and full funding of the KentuckyRetirement System (KRS). There were positivetargeted tax relief measures for industries suchas our signature bourbon industry and a taxincentive to encourage “angel” investments innew start-up companies.
Juvenile justice reforms won passage togive youthful offenders a better chance ofturning their lives around. And the legislatorsstanding strong against efforts to increaseworkers’ compensation costs, politicize thePublic Service Commission, repeal the state’stough academic standards and enact onerouscoal-mining restrictions was commendable.
But even a limited review quickly revealsa list of negatives far longer than Kentuckycan afford.
At the top of the list is the legislation nick-named “the P3 bill” to develop a mechanismfor greater use of public-private partnerships tosave taxpayers’ money and create a transparent,accountable process of contracting for neededservices or infrastructure projects.
The P3 bill passed the House by a 10-to-1 margin and Senate by a 3-to-1margin, both with overwhelming bipartisansupport. But Gov. Steve Beshear vetoed themeasure because of a House amendment thatwould prohibit the use of tolls to help fi-nance the reconstruction of the Brent SpenceBridge in northern Kentucky. And, unfortu-nately, the House – where the bill originated– declined to override the veto, meaning itdid not come up for further action in theSenate.
In our view, the bill was the most important piece of job creation legislationpassed this year, and, as such, had the support of more than 35 civic and businessorganizations. The governor’s veto was unnecessary and should have been addressed with swift legislative action in thefinal days of session. This was definitely amissed opportunity to move Kentucky forward – and to catch up with the 34 other states where public-private partnershiplaws already exist.
In addition to the negative outcome forthe partnership legislation, this session cameup short in many other key areas as well (seechart).
When Kentucky voters approved the constitutional amendment to allow annuallegislative sessions, it was with the hope thatevery session, every year, would mean progressfor the state. The 2014 session fell far short ofthat mark.
2014 session missing key pieces of success
P3
Public-Private PartnershipsHB 407 (Combs) would have authorized the use of public-private partner-ships (P3s) by state and local governments to encourage competition forprivate sector investments, save tax dollars and promote transparency andaccountability. Every state bordering Kentucky already has P3 legislation.(Passed General Assembly, vetoed by governor, not considered in Housefor override)
Smoke-Free WorkplacesHB 173 (Westrom) and SB 117 (Denton) would have prohibited smokingin all indoor public places and workplaces and received overwhelming support from Chamber members. (Not considered)
Medical Review PanelsSB 119 (Denton) would have implemented a medical review panel processfor cases brought against health care providers to help put an end to thegrowing number of meritless lawsuits that increase Kentucky’s health carecosts. Medical review panels will have a stabilizing influence on our medicalmalpractice system, making the state more attractive to employers whilehelping to retain and attract quality healthcare providers. (Passed Senate,not considered by House)
Telecomm ReformSB 99 (Hornback) would have modernized Kentucky’s outdated telecom-munications laws to encourage investment by telecommunication companiesin modern high-speed broadband internet and mobile services. (PassedSenate, not considered by House)
Charter SchoolsSB 211 (Wilson) would have allowed persistently low-performing schoolsto be designated as charter schools in order to provide more flexibility toturn around schools that are not meeting the needs of students. HB 85(Montell) would have broadly authorized charter schools in Kentucky. (SB211 passed Senate, not considered by House)
Local OptionHB 399 (Thompson) and SB 135 (Hornback) would have allowed votersthe chance to authorize local communities to vote for a temporary sales taxto fund important local projects. (Not considered)
Expanded GamingSB 33 (Seum), HB 67 (Clark) and HB 584 (Stumbo) would have allowedvoters to decide whether to expand gaming in Kentucky to provide a much-needed boost to state revenues as well as to recoup the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent annually in casinos in neighboring states.(Not considered)
Kentucky Chamber President & CEO Dave Adkisson and Rep. Leslie Combs Kentucky Chamber Chairwoman Elizabeth McCoy Kentucky Chamber Public Affairs Manager Ashli Watts
Bourbon Tax Credit HB 529 (Butler) enacts a “Bourbon Barrel Tax Reinvest-ment Credit,” which levels the playing field for Kentuckybourbon by allowing Kentucky distilleries to take a corpo-rate income tax credit to offset the amount of ad valoremtaxes paid each year. Passed as amendment to HB 445.
Angel Investment Credit HB 37 (Simpson) creates an angel investor tax credit toencourage private investment to help start-up companiesgrow and prosper. Passed as amendment to HB 445.
Lowered Statute of Limitations HB 369 (Yonts) lowers the statute of limitations for written contracts from 15 years to 10 years.
Juvenile Justice Reform SB 200 (Westerfield) reforms Kentucky’s juvenile justicesystem by helping youthful offenders redirect their liveswhile ensuring public safety and a more efficient use ofstate tax dollars.
Data Breach Notification HB 232 (Riggs) sets forth commonsense requirementsfor employers to notify customers in the event of a databreach that could expose individuals to identity theft.
Small Business Credits HB 301 (Palumbo) simplifies and streamlines the SmallBusiness Tax Credit Program administered by the Ken-tucky Economic Development Finance Authority.
Cyber SecurityHB 5 (Butler) requires state and local governments toprotect citizens’ sensitive, private information and notifycitizens and business owners if their data is compromised.
Contractor Notification HB 467 (Denham) allows businesses to enter the information of their subcontractors on the Division ofWorkers’ Claims website and receive notification whenthere has been a change or cancellation in their subcontractor’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Passed as amendment to HB 84.
Kentucky Environmental StandardsHB 388 (Gooch) establishes Kentucky-based stan-dards for greenhouse gas emissions by electric utilities.This measure pushes back on U.S. EPA’s ruling to regu-late greenhouse gas emissions which will drive up Ken-tucky’s electricity prices.
Streamlined Alcohol Laws SB 83 (Schickel) continues the effort to modernize Ken-tucky’s alcohol laws by allowing the expanded sales andproduction of malt beverages and ciders. The measurealso clearly defines the definition of a micro distillery tohelp start-up companies. HB 475 (Clark) allows a localoption election for the sale of alcoholic beverages bythe drink at state parks.
Tax Tourism Incentives HB 493 (Adkins) would expand tourism developmentincentives. The idea originated from the bipartisanSOAR initiative designed to address ways to create op-portunities in eastern Kentucky.
Education Financial Accountability HB 154 (Denham) requires annual school district finan-cial reports and annual training requirements for schoolfinance officers to ensure tax dollars are spent efficientlyon education.
Linking Education to Employment HB 87 (Yonts) requires higher education institutions todisseminate information regarding employment ratesand earnings by degrees and academic majors. This willallow students to make informed educational choices todevelop job skills.
Workers’ Comp Reporting HB 349 (Waide) simplifies the requirement for busi-nesses which must file tax returns, partnership agree-ments and articles of organization with the Departmentof Workers’ Claims.
PRO-BUSINESS LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES
Protected Academic Standards SB 224 (Schickel) and HB 215 (Kerr) would have eliminated the more rigorous academic standards byprohibiting Kentucky from implementing the English andMath standards, also known as Common Core stan-dards, and the Next Generation Science Standards.(Hearing held in Senate, but no votes taken)
Protected Workers’ Comp Several bills were filed that would have increased thecosts of workers’ compensation for Kentucky employ-ers. SB 136 (Buford), SB 137 (Carroll) and HB 507(Sinnette) would have doubled attorney’s fees and created an incentive to reopen cases. (SB 137 reassigned to prevent vote in Senate committee)
No Kentucky Wage MandatesHB 1 (Stumbo) and SB 215 (Rhoads) would haveraised the Kentucky minimum wage far above Ken-tucky's competitor states. The Chamber supports cur-rent state law that automatically indexes the stateminimum wage to the federal minimum wage, ratherthan one that puts Kentucky employers at a competitivedisadvantage. (HB 1 passed House, not considered bySenate)
No Bounties for LawsuitsHB 335 (Stumbo) would have created a Kentucky falseclaims act to give private citizens a strong financial in-centive to sue a company that contracts with the statealleging fraud. (Not considered)
Protected Energy RatesSB 35 (Jones) would have expanded Kentucky’s PublicService Commission (PSC) from three appointed com-missioners to seven elected commissioners. Electingthe PSC would lead to higher utility rates across thestate. (Not considered)
Defeated Tax HikeHB 220 (Wayne) would have raised income tax rates,impacting a number of small business owners withpass-through income. (Not considered)
Slowing Lawsuit GrowthHB 148 (Marzian) would have created a new subjectivemeasure, deemed “equivalent jobs." An employer notpaying the same wages to two people holding poten-tially different jobs of "equivalency" would be guilty ofdiscrimination and open to lawsuits, despite wage dis-crimination already being illegal. (Passed House as partof HB 1, not considered by Senate)
Prevented Mandated High Cost EnergyHB 195 (Marzian) would have mandated the use of renewable energy portfolio standards in Kentucky, increasing electricity costs unnecessarily. (Not considered)
Stopped Utility Cost DriverHB 241 (Jenkins) would have caused electric prices toincrease by classifying coal ash from electric utilities asa hazardous waste and created excessive state regula-tions more stringent than federal rules. (Not considered)
Stopped Public Cost-driverHB 96 (Donohue) would have unnecessarily increasedcosts on public construction projects by requiring con-struction materials, such as iron and steel, to be pro-duced in the United States, regardless of cost oravailability. (Not considered)
No Union MandatesHB 420 (Glenn) sought to increase requirements forsprinkler fitters and require a certification and union ap-prentice permit. This would have increased costs tocurrent professionals and set a negative precedent, in-creasing costs in the future. (Not considered)
Blocked Coal Mining RestrictionsHB 288 (Wayne) would have continued the attack onKentucky's coal industry by requiring increased restric-tions, beyond current federal requirements, for operatingsurface mines as well as reclaimed sites. (Not considered)
Bad Medicine SB 73 (Buford) would have limited cost savings andmedical review of the current preauthorization systemby pharmacy benefit managers. (Passed Senate andHouse, but stopped late by Senate procedural move)
Stopped Blocking Energy SourcesHB 31 (Tilley) would have limited the ability to transportnatural gas liquids, including propane and butane inKentucky by denying the ability to use eminent domainin the rare instance it would be used. (Passed House,not considered by Senate)
The following measures were considered positive by the Kentucky Chamber and were enacted into law in the 2014 session ofthe General Assembly.
ANTI-BUSINESS MEASURES DEFEATEDThe Kentucky Chamber actively lobbied against the measures below and were successful in defeating them and preventingthem from becoming law.
“The passage and enactment of HB 369 would nothave occurred without the leadership & advocacyof the Kentucky Chamber. This legislation willreduce our legal risk, provide cost savings and ensure Kentucky remains competitive in attracting and retaining businesses.”
Gretchen CopleyCounsel for Corporate & Government Affairs
KEMI
Business voices
“Thanks to the continued leadership of the Kentucky Chamber ... my small business andALL Kentucky businesses avoided large increasesto our workers’ compensation system by theChamber’s steadfast opposition to SB 137. Themeasure would have hobbled our workers’ compensation system with more litigation andquestionable benefits. I certainly want an injuredemployee to receive care and commensurate bene-fits. This bill would have doubled lawyer fees andresulted in Kentucky losing the competitive edgewe worked so hard to achieve.”
Ron SandersExecutive Vice President
People Plus, Inc.
Business voices
Public-Private PartnershipsHB 407 (Combs) would have authorized the use ofpublic-private partnerships (P3s) by state and localgovernments to encourage competition for privatesector investments, save tax dollars and promotetransparency and accountability. Every state borderingKentucky already has P3 legislation. (Passed GeneralAssembly, vetoed by governor, not considered inHouse for override)
Medical Review PanelsSB 119 (Denton) would have implemented a medicalreview panel process for cases brought against healthcare providers to help put an end to the growing num-ber of meritless lawsuits that increase Kentucky’shealth care costs. Medical review panels will have astabilizing influence on our medical malpractice sys-tem, making the state more attractive to employerswhile helping to retain and attract quality healthcareproviders. (Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Telecomm ReformSB 99 (Hornback) would have modernized Kentucky’soutdated telecommunications laws to encourage in-vestment by telecommunication companies in modernhigh-speed broadband internet and mobile services.(Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Charter SchoolsSB 211 (Wilson) would have allowed persistently low-performing schools to be designated as charterschools in order to provide more flexibility to turnaround schools that are not meeting the needs of stu-dents. HB 85 (Montell) would have broadly authorizedcharter schools in Kentucky. (SB 211 passed Senate,not considered by House)
Smoke-Free WorkplacesHB 173 (Westrom) and SB 117 (Denton) would haveprohibited smoking in all indoor public places andworkplaces and received overwhelming support fromChamber members. (Not considered)
Right to WorkHB 496 (Hoover) would have allowed workers thefreedom to decide whether to join a union, whichwould prevent it from being a condition of employ-ment. This is a huge factor in economic developmentas a key metric of competitiveness in attracting newbusiness to a state. (Voted down by House Labor Com-mittee)
Expanded GamingSB 33 (Seum), HB 67 (Clark) and HB 584 (Stumbo)would have allowed voters to decide whether to expand gaming in Kentucky to provide a much-neededboost to state revenues as well as to recoup the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent annually incasinos in neighboring states. (Not considered)
Addressing Heroin EpidemicSB 5 (Stine) would have created more treatment bedsfor drug addicts and lengthened prison sentences fordrug traffickers to address the growing heroin problemin Kentucky. (Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Local OptionHB 399 (Thompson) and SB 135 (Hornback) wouldhave allowed voters the chance to authorize local communities to vote for a temporary sales tax to fundimportant local projects. (Not considered)
Small Business Tax SimplificationHB 136 (Yonts) would have clearly defined the cost ofgoods sold under Kentucky’s Limited Liability EntityTax (LLET) which is paid by many small businesses inKentucky. (Not considered)
Prevailing WageHB 419 (Hoover) would have saved taxpayers moneyby excluding educational buildings and facilities fromthe prevailing wage mandate currently in law. (Voteddown by House Labor Committee)
Workers’ Comp Special Fund SB 63 (McDaniel), HB 504 (Greer) and HB 557 (Mon-tell) would have saved employers costs on their workers’compensation assessments by encouraging one-timesettlements on claims before 1996. It would also havephased out the siphoning of funds out of the specialfund to fund the day-to-day operations of the LaborCabinet. (Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Teacher TenureSB 168 (Wilson) would have permitted the suspen-sion or termination of a teacher's continuing servicecontract if the teacher fails to successfully meet therequirements of a corrective action plan. (Passed Sen-ate, not considered by the House)
Tribunal Reform SB 169 (Wilson) would clarify the causes for which a con-tract of a teacher may be terminated. It would also requirethe commissioner of education to initiate the appropriateprocedure in response to a teacher's appeal and appointhearing officers to hear the case. (Not considered)
Contracting Sunshine LawSB 189 (Westerfield) would have created transparencyrequirements for contingency fee contracts betweenthe attorney general and private attorneys, set reason-able limits on contingency fees, and codified recentcase law requirements to ensure the state remains incontrol of litigation when hiring contingency fee coun-sel. (Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Judgment Interest Reforms SB 214 (Girdler) would have set Kentucky’s judgmentinterest rate at the lesser of 12% or 1% above theprime interest rate in the calendar year in which thejudgment is entered. (Not considered)
Pension Reform ClarificationsSB 142 (McDaniel) would have helped state and localgovernments reduce their unfunded liability by ad-dressing pension “spiking,” which occurs when a publicsector employee increases their creditable compensa-tion by taking a higher paying job late in their career.(Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Nuclear PowerSB 67 (Leeper) & HB 52 (Watkins) would lift Kentucky’sban on nuclear power generating facilities in Kentuckyand clarify the disposal of nuclear waste in the state.(Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Property Owner Liability SB 78 (Girdler) would have clarified liability for landlordswhose tenants own a dog that bites a person on theproperty. (Passed Senate, not considered by House)
Tax SimplificationHB 346 (Damron) would have simplified Kentucky taxlaws with regard to calculating estimated tax paymentsfor taxpayers whose income fluctuates during the yearand attempts to mimic the penalty calculations at thefederal level to ease compliance for taxpayers. (Not con-sidered)
Clear Employer Guidelines SB 81 (Schickel) would have created a clear set ofguidelines for employers on the definition of an inde-pendent contractor. (Passed by Senate, unfriendlyamendment added by House)
Public Pension AuditsHB 389 (Yonts) would have required all of Kentucky’spublic employee pension systems to undergo an inde-pendent audit every five years. (Passed House, notconsidered by Senate)
Taxpayer FairnessHB 345 (Damron) would have stopped the Depart-ment of Revenue’s unfair treatment of taxpayers byequalizing the interest rate between taxpayers’ over-payments and underpayments. (Not considered)
Tax Incentives for CoalHB 474 (Adkins) would have permitted coal mining orprocessing companies to potentially qualify for certainsales and use tax incentives offered. (Passed House,not considered by Senate)
Childcare Rating SystemHB 332 (Graham) would have directed the EarlyChildhood Advisory Council to develop a quality-based rating system for licensed childcare and certi-fied family childcare homes. (Passed House, amendedby Senate, House refused to concur)
Protecting Student DataSB 89 (Higdon) would have required Kentucky to adhereto transparency and privacy standards when outsourcingWeb-based tasks to vendors and would have permitteda school council to supplement the state board-ap-proved academic content standards with more rigorousstandards. (Passed Senate, amended by House with un-related provision, Senate refused to concur)
University Bonding HB 261 (Damron) would permit universities to issuebonds for capital projects when there is a dedicatedfunding source from using a combination of cash re-stricted funds, federal funds and private funds andwould establish conditions under which projects willbe authorized. (Passed House, not considered bySenate)
Attracting Data Centers HB 308 (DeCesare) would have exempted qualifieddata centers from paying certain state and local taxes to create an incentive to encourage the establishment of data centers, a fast growing industry which states are working to recruit. (Not considered)
Good Samaritan ProtectionsHB 304 (Moore) would have expanded liability protec-tions for those who administer emergency care at nocharge at the scene of an emergency, eliminating a disincentive for caregivers to help. (Not considered)
Bad Debt CreditsHB 516 (Pullin) would have permitted a retailer or lenderto claim a deduction for bad debts or claim a refund ofthe sales and use tax previously reported by the retaileron the unpaid balance due on a private label credit card.(Not considered)
MISSED OPPORTUNITIESSeveral measures would have improved the economic climate of Kentucky. Sadly, the long list of positive, pro-businessmeasures below were not passed by the 2014 General Assembly.
“The Chamber led the fight in Frankfort to establish common sense malpractice reform thislegislative session. They were instrumental informing a coalition of over 20 business and healthcare groups to establish medical review panels, sothat medical practitioners can refocus on caring for patients and stop worrying about the next meritless suit from personal injury lawyers.”
Dr. Andrew HendersonCEO
Lexington Clinic
Business voices
“Kentucky business leaders know that a smoke-free state will improve our companies’ bottomlines, help us attract new businesses and workers,produce a more productive workforce and ulti-mately save lives. This is why the Chamberfought diligently for a smoke-free workplace law.”
Tom HudsonCEO and President
nth/works
Business voices
Walter BlevinsJoe BowenTom BufordJared CarpenterJulian CarrollPerry ClarkJulie DentonCarroll GibsonChris GirdlerDavid GivensSara Beth GregoryDenise Harper AngelErnie HarrisJimmy HigdonPaul HornbackStan HumphriesRay JonesAlice KerrRobert LeeperChris McDanielMorgan McGarveyGerald NealR.J. PalmerDennis ParrettJerry RhoadsDorsey RidleyAlbert RobinsonJohn SchickelDan SeumBrandon SmithKatie StineRobert StiversDamon ThayerReginald ThomasJohnny TurnerRobin WebbWhitney WesterfieldMike Wilson
Tax
Cre
dits
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYes
Pub
lic-P
rivat
eP
artn
ersh
ips
YesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNoYesNoNoYesYesYesX
YesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYes
Ky. E
nviro
nmen
tal
Sta
ndar
ds
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Low
ered
Sta
tute
of
Lim
itatio
ns
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Ear
ly C
hild
hood
Edu
catio
n
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Com
mon
sens
eD
ata
Bre
ach
Rul
es
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Con
trac
tor
Not
ifica
tion
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesX
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesXX
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Cyb
er S
ecur
ity
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Cha
rter
Sch
ools
NoYesYesX
NoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesX
YesYesYesNoNoNoYesYes
Juve
nile
Jus
tice
Ref
orm
YesNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Med
ical
Rev
iew
Pan
els
NoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesYesX
NoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoNoYesNoNoYesX
YesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYes
Tele
com
Ref
orm
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYes
Str
eam
lined
A
lcoh
ol L
aws
YesYesNoX
YesYesYesNoYesNoNoYesYesX
YesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoYes
Pro
pert
y Li
abili
ty
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoNoYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wor
kers
’ Com
pS
peci
al F
und
D-MoreheadR-Owensboro
R-NicholasvilleR-Berea
D-FrankfortD-LouisvilleR-Louisville
R-LeitchfieldR-Somerset
R-GreensburgR-MonticelloD-Louisville
R-CrestwoodR-Lebanon
R-ShelbyvilleR-Cadiz
D-PikevilleR-Lexington
I-PaducahR-Latonia
D-LouisvilleD-Louisville
D-WinchesterD-Elizabethtown
D-MadisonvilleD-Henderson
R-LondonR-Union
R-FairdaleR-Hazard
R-SouthgateR-Manchester
R-GeorgetownD-Lexington
D-PrestonsburgD-Grayson
R-HopkinsvilleR-Bowling Green
DISTRICT
CHAMBER POSITION
BILL NUMBER
NoYesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYes
SenateBills
SB63 SB67 SB78 SB83 SB99 SB119 SB200 SB211 HB5 HB84 HB232 HB332 HB369 HB388 HB407 HB445 HB475
The roll call votes you see in this record reveal how legislators voted on bills the Kentucky Chamber publicly supported or opposed during the 2014 General Assembly (an “X”indicates the legislator did not vote on the bill). The voting record includes bills that received a full vote before the entire House and/or Senate. Please note the substance of abill may be significantly altered during the legislative process. Unless otherwise noted, the legislation referenced in the voting record is based on the final version of the bill receiving a floor vote for each house. To access the language of the bills highlighted in this document, the Kentucky Chamber invites you to visit the Legislative ResearchCommission’s website at lrc.ky.gov.
EXPLANATION OF BILLS USED IN VOTING RECORD
House
THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER would like to extend a special thanks to the following 11 Senators and 12 Representatives whose voting record on key business issues show a dedicationto the principles of free enterprise. On 90 percent or more of every key vote – sometimes with vocal opposition from labor unions and personal injury lawyers – these legislators stoodstrong for the business community!
2014 LEGISLATIVE VOTING RECORD
Mike WilsonBowling Green
76%94%88%76%82%71%
100%88%
100%82%76%65%
100%82%94%82%71%
100%94%
100%71%65%76%82%76%82%65%82%88%76%88%
100%100%76%71%53%82%94%
SUPPORT %LEGISLATOR
Alc
ohol
at S
tate
Par
ks
YesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Nuc
lear
Pow
er
NoYesYesYesYesX
YesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoX
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYes
Standing up for Kentucky business
Senate
Joe BowenOwensboro
Julie DentonLouisville
Chris GirdlerSomerset
Ernie HarrisCrestwood
Paul HornbackShelbyville
Alice Forgy KerrLexington
Damon ThayerGeorgetown
Robert StiversManchester
Robert LeeperPaducah
Chris McDanielLatonia
Ron CrimmLouisville
Jim DeCesareBowling Green
Bob DeWeeseLouisville
Jeff HooverJamestown
Adam KoenigErlanger
Brad MontellShelbyville
David OsborneProspect
Myron DossettPembroke
Jim GlennOwensboro
Toby HeraldBeattyville
Charles MillerLouisville
Michael LeeMeredith
Brownsville
Ernie HarrisCrestwood
Charles MillerLouisville
Jeff HooverJamestown
Julie DentonLouisville
Robert LeeperPaducah
Min
imum
Wag
e
YesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesX
YesX
YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesX
YesYesYesYesYesNoYesYes
Julie AdamsRocky Adkins Lynn Bechler Johnny Bell Robert Benvenuti Kevin BratcherRegina Bunch Thomas BurchDenver Butler Dwight Butler John CarneyLarry Clark Hubert Collins Leslie Combs Tim Couch Will Coursey Jesse Crenshaw Ron Crimm Robert Damron Jim DeCesare Mike Denham Bob DeWeeseJeffery Donohue Myron Dossett C.B. Embry Joseph Fischer Kelly Flood David Floyd Jim Glenn Jim Gooch Derrick Graham Jeff Greer Keith Hall Mike Harmon Richard HeathRichard Henderson Toby HeraldJeff Hoover Dennis Horlander Kenny ImesJoni JenkinsJames Kay II Dennis Keene Thomas Kerr Kim King Martha King Adam Koenig Jimmie Lee Stan Lee Brian LinderMary Lou Marzian Donna Mayfield Thomas McKeeDavid Meade Reginald Meeks Michael Lee MeredithSuzanne Miles Charles Miller Terry Mills Brad Montell Tim Moore Rick Nelson David Osborne Sannie Overly Darryl OwensRuth Ann Palumbo Tanya Pullin Ryan QuarlesMarie RaderRick Rand Jody Richards Steven Riggs Tom Riner Bart Rowland Steven Rudy Sal Santoro Jonathan ShellJohn ShortArnold Simpson Kevin Sinnette Rita Smart Diane St. OngeJohn Stacy Fitz Steele Jim Stewart Wilson Stone Greg Stumbo Tommy Thompson John TilleyTommy TurnerKenneth UpchurchBen Waide David Watkins Gerald WatkinsJim WayneRussell WebberSusan Westrom Addia Wuchner Brent Yonts Jill York
Ear
ly C
hild
hood
Edu
catio
n
R-LouisvilleD-Sandy Hook
R-MarionD-Glasgow
R-LexingtonR-Louisville
R-WilliamsburgD-LouisvilleD-Louisville
R-HarnedR-Campbellsville
D-LouisvilleD-Wittensville
D-PikevilleR-Hyden
D-SymsoniaD-LexingtonR-Louisville
D-NicholasvilleR-Bowling Green
D-MaysvilleR-LouisvilleD-Fairdale
R-PembrokeR-MorgantownR-Fort Thomas
D-LexingtonR-Bardstown
D-OwensboroD-Providence
D-FrankfortD-Brandenburg
D-PhelpsR-DanvilleR-Mayfield
D-Mt. SterlingR-Beattyville
R-JamestownD-ShivelyR-MurrayD-Shively
D-VersaillesD-Wilder
R-Taylor MillR-Harrodsburg
D-LewisburgR-Erlanger
D-ElizabethtownR-LexingtonR-Dry RidgeD-Louisville
R-WinchesterD-Cynthiana
R-StanfordD-Louisville
R-BrownsvilleR-Owensboro
D-LouisvilleD-Lebanon
R-ShelbyvilleR-Elizabethtown
D-MiddlesboroR-Prospect
D-ParisD-Louisville
D-LexingtonD-South ShoreR-Georgetown
R-McKeeD-Bedford
D-Bowling GreenD-LouisvilleD-Louisville
R-TompkinsvilleR-West Paducah
R-FlorenceR-Lancaster
D-MallieD-Covington
D-AshlandD-Richmond
R-Lakeside ParkD-West Liberty
D-HazardR-Flat Lick
D-ScottsvilleD-Prestonsburg
D-OwensboroD-Hopkinsville
R-SomersetR-Monticello
R-MadisonvilleD-Henderson
D-PaducahD-Louisville
R-ShepardsvilleD-LexingtonR-BurlingtonD-Greenville
R-Grayson
DISTRICT
BILL NUMBER
NoYesNoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYesYesNoNoNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesX
YesYesYesNoNoYesNoNoYesNoYesYesYesNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
HouseBills
86%86%86%71%86%71%64%86%86%86%79%86%71%79%71%79%71%93%86%93%79%93%86%93%79%71%86%79%93%86%86%79%71%64%71%71%93%93%86%86%86%86%86%79%64%79%93%79%64%64%86%79%79%79%86%93%86%93%86%93%79%64%93%79%86%86%71%86%86%86%71%86%71%79%79%71%71%71%79%79%86%86%64%64%64%79%86%86%79%71%71%71%86%86%79%79%86%71%86%79%
LEGISLATOR
Ky.
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YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesX
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Tax
Cre
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NoYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Low
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Sta
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No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesCHAMBER POSITION
HB1 HB332 HB388 HB389 HB475 HB467 SB83 HB31 SB200 HB5 HB407 HB232 HB445 HB369
SUPPORT %
Hood HarrisLouisville
Com
mon
wea
lth P
artn
ers
Paul VargaLouisville
Victor Staffi eriLouisville
Bruce Broussard Louisville
Cha
irm
an’s
Circ
le
Stephen HansonLouisville
Jim BoothLovely
Paul RookeLexington
Stephen WilliamsLouisville
Charles DennyLouisville
William JonesPaducah
Kevin CanafaxCovington
Robert StrubFlorence
Ruth BrinkleyLouisville
Terry ForchtCorbin/Lexington
Tracee WhitleyLexington
Bingham McCutchen LLP
Katie GroveAtlanta, Ga.
Stephen LoyalOwensboro
Heath CampbellLexington
Phillip ScottLexington
Anheuser Busch, Inc.Atmos Energy Corporation BB&T
Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
Alpha Natural Resources
Donnie RatliffBristol, Va.
Rodney BohannonMurray
Luther Deaton, Jr.Lexington
Paul CostelLouisville
Kevin FlaneryLouisville
Briggs & StrattonCentral Bank & Trust Company Chase Kentucky
Churchill Downs Inc.
Laura D’AngeloLexington
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Jim HenningCincinnati, Ohio
Duke Energy
David Cannon Jr.Pittsburgh, Penn.
EQT Corporation
Tom PartridgeLouisville
Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky
Bill JohnsonLouisville
Farm CreditMid-America
John CrockettLouisville
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Nathan CrosleyFrankfort
Cheryl NortonLexington
Bill CorumLouisville
Jim Beam Brands Company
Kentucky American Water
Ky. Association of Electric Cooperatives
Brian MillerLexington
IMG College / UK IMG Sports Marketing
Mary Jean RileyGhent
North American Stainless
Hector AlverezLexington
Lockheed Martin
Bill LawsonTulsa, Okla.
BluegrassPipeline
John SchnatterLouisville
Josh BrownFranklin, Tenn.
Papa John’s International, Inc. Pfi zer
Harold ButlerLouisville
J. David Smith, Jr.Lexington
Stites & Harbison PLLC
Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
Nick SimonShepherdsville
Publishers Printing Co.
Kevin RiddettLouisville
Seimens RailAutomation
Scott CaseyLouisville
William HollanderLouisville
UPS
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP
DHL
Travis CobbErlanger
Calvin KaufmanLouisville
The Kroger Co.
Robert DonnellRussell Springs
PremierToxLaboratory
Pre
side
ntia
l Adv
isor
s
Trustees not pictured:
Emerson Power TransmissionDan Fannin
Maysville
Kentucky Farm Bureau InsuranceBradley Smith
Louisville
AK Steel Corp.
Barry Racey
West Chester, OH
Century Aluminum of Kentucky, LLC
Jason CurryHawesville
Doe Anderson, Inc.Todd Spencer
Louisville
Dana Holding Corporation
Jeff ColeMaumee, OH
Marathon Petroleum Company LP
Richard HernandezCatlettsburg
ConAgra FoodsEd JudiceLouisville
Steel TechnologiesMichelle Mees
HarperLouisville
Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts
Randy StevensFrankfort
Meritor-FlorenceTim Bauer
Florence
ABM Government Services
Joe Walsh
Hopkinsville
Clarendon FlavorsTammy Rigney
Louisville
Kentucky State Fair Board
Rip RippetoeLouisville
Armstrong Coal Company, Inc.
Kenny Allen
Madisonville
Brenntag Mid-South, Inc.
Joel HopperHenderson
Coca-Cola RefreshmentRoy Potts
Louisville
Alliance Coal, LLCJoseph Craft, III
Lexington
Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.Herbert Miller, Jr.
Lexington
Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC
Paula Hanson
Lexington
Farmers Capital Bank CorporationLloyd Hillard, Jr.
Frankfort
Dressman, Benzinger & LaVelle, PSCMark Guilfoyle
Ft. Mitchell
ADPJeff Schaftlein
Louisville
Gray ConstructionStephen Gray
Lexington
Gray Kentucky Television, Inc.Chris Mossman
Lexington
Kentucky Community & Technical College
SystemDr. Michael McCall
Versailles
Kentucky League of Cities, Inc.
Jon SteinerLexington
Kosair CharitiesVicky Weber
Louisville
Lexington ClinicDr. Andrew HendersonLexington
Logan AluminumRandy Schumaker
Russellville
Lourdes HospitalLynn King
Paducah
Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc.Mitch Wagner
Louisville
Mountjoy Chilton Medley LLP
Diane MedleyLouisville
Messer Construction Company
John MegibbenLouisville
Pikeville Medical Center
Juanita DeskinsPikeville
Splash AnalyticsKevin Foley
Louisville
Passport Health Plan
Mark CarterLouisville
Planters Bank, Inc.Elizabeth McCoy
Hopkinsville
Signature HealthCARE
Joseph Steier IIILouisville
Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Eric LycanLexington
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems
Matt AdamsBowling Green
UK HealthcareDr. Michael Karpf
Lexington
Whitaker Bank, Inc.Elmer Whitaker
Lexington
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Mike MinorLouisville
Windstream Communications
Jamie MullinsLouisville
Tiffany & Co.Wayne Howard
Lexington
TKT-Nectir Global Staffi ng, LLC
Tierra K. TurnerLouisville
Sun Tan CityRick Kueber
Louisville
Mubea, Inc.Doug Cain
Florence
SRG GlobalJoseph Hoban
Morehead
Turner ConstructionCompany
Brian MooneyCincinnati
Big Ass FansMike Robinson
Lexington
Stock Yards Bank and Trust
David Heintzman Louisville
PharMerica Corporation
Gregory S. WeisharLouisville
Laurel Grocery Co.Winston Griffi n
London
Tyson FoodsCraig Coberley
Robards
Trus
tees
Deirdre LyonsNicholasville
Alltech
Wil James, Jr.Georgetown Connie Harvey
Lexington
Greg PauleyFrankfort
Deb MoessnerLouisville
Envision ContractorsSteve BosleyOwensboro
Craig KingLexington
R.J. CormanRailroad Group
Phillip PattersonOwensboro
Owensboro Health
Time Warner CableCarla Deaton
Lexington
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