News

ARTICLE
Date ArticleType
1/11/2011 Community/Chamber
Chamber Board of Directors Releases 2011 Legislative Priorities Agenda

Chamber Board of Directors Releases 2011 Legislative Priorities Agenda


Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com


BOWLING GREEN, KY-The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has approved its 2011 State & Federal Funding & Policy Agenda, thereby announcing the Chamber's priority legislative items for the year. The Board also has formalized its policy positions on six different topics related to economic development and workforce legislation.


"One of the Chambers goals is to proactively communicate the needs of South Central Kentucky to our state and federal legislators," said Rodney Rogers, Board of Directors chairman. "By setting our agenda and policy positions, we are enhancing the relationships we have at the state and federal levels, and we'll continue to promote our efforts to our local government officials as well."


The 2011 State & Federal Funding & Policy Agenda for the Chamber is as follows:

  • Improvement of Western Kentucky University & Bowling Green Technical College
    • Approve legislation for the benefit of WKU and the SCKY Region. (State & Federal)
    • Approve legislation for the benefit of BGTC and the SCKY Region. (State & Federal)
  • Improvement of the Regional Transportation System
    • Widen I-65 to 6 lanes between Glasgow and Elizabethtown. (State)
    • Construct the connector road between I-65 and US 31 in Warren County. (State)
    • Provide funds to attract commercial air service to the Bowling Green Airport. (Federal)
  • Improvement of Regional Water and Sewer Capacity
    • Fund infrastructure projects approved by the BRADD Water Management Council. (State)
    • Fund the repair of the Rochester Dam on the Green River. (Federal)
    • Authorize, direct and fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Supply Allocation Study of Barren River Lake (Federal)
  • Improvement of Regional Site Location Competitiveness
    • Fund further mapping and documentation of broadband & fiber infrastructure. (State & Federal)
    • Fund Independent certification of shovel ready and pad ready industrial sites. (State & Federal)
  • Improvement of the Kentucky Transpark
    • Fund additional site, road, and utility construction. (State & Federal)
    • Fund further master planning and engineering. (State & Federal)


The Chamber's Legislative Action Committee, consisting of Board-appointed volunteers, submitted these agenda items to the Board in December 2010. The Board's approval allows for the agenda to be distributed to all legislators.


"We are actively working to promote this agenda to our legislators," explained Tommy Adams, chair of the Legislative Action Committee. "By developing promotional materials and participating in regular conversations with our elected officials, we are influencing our Chamber's goal of being a legislative voice for this region."


The Legislative Action Committee also agreed upon several policy positions that will be used as guides for future legislation. These policy positions are as follows:

  • Approve right-to-work legislation to better compete with states in the region. (State)
  • Reform state prevailing wage requirements to lower costs of public projects. (State)
  • Adopt trade agreements with other nations that add jobs for the region. (Federal)
  • Ensure that new energy policies protect KY jobs and energy competitiveness. (Federal)
  • Support renewable energy programs such as TVA biomass generation.  (Federal)
  • Ensure a workers' right to a secret ballot in voting to join or not join a union. (Federal)


With the agenda and policy positions in place for 2011, the Chamber will continue its grassroots efforts to encourage Chamber partners to participate in the legislative process. Ron Bunch, CEcD, Chamber president and CEO, said, "We want our Chamber partners to actively join us in discussions at the state and federal levels. By hosting regular legislative events and notifying our partners of issues affecting the local economy, we are helping them impact the entire region."


For more information about the Chamber's legislative efforts, contact Vice President of Property Development & Public Policy Marc Elliott, CEcD, AICP at 270-781-3200 or marc@bgchamber.com.


About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the 2009 Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. The Chamber was honored with 5-Star Accreditation in 2009, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.