“There is nothing wrong with Kentucky that can’t be fixed by what’s right in Kentucky”
… this is how Adam Edelen closed out the New Kentucky Project’s New Ideas Conference today in Georgetown, KY. It was an energizing day, and I am SO glad that I was able to be there. It was a gathering of folks who love our Commonwealth and want to make it a better place to live and work and raise a family. It was sponsored by the New Kentucky Project, and the main theme was getting new ideas put into action is Kentucky’s path forward--that “having the same people with the same ideas getting the same stuff” isn’t getting us anywhere. What WILL work are well-thought out policy initiatives… this was what some of the best and brightest in Kentucky came to share today.
I am going to highlight some of these policy ideas from individuals and Kentucky organizations over the next few days— because I believe in the great work being done here, and I want more people to know what we are working toward. Kentucky is so much more than the stereotypes.
Today’s highlight:
Jason Bailey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy shared KCEP’s economic agenda policy document. He detailed five specific policy recommendations:
- Improve Job Quality and Economic Security ~This includes raising the minimum wage, getting rid of harmful “right to work” laws, making retirement systems more secure, and improving workforce and economic work force development programs so that they produce high quality jobs. (He specifically mentioned the “Dollar General economy”—there are 500 Dollar General Stores in Kentucky, because that’s what fits the current economy. This drew audible gasps in the room. These stores are a product of low-wages— this is where Kentuckians can afford to shop.)
- Strengthen Education for All Kentuckians ~Increasing access to high-quality child care and preschool, reinvesting in K-12 schools, and making higher education and skills training more affordable. Jason was clear that the kind of education a child receives SHOULD NOT depend on the zip code of their home. (MY thought on that— they are all OUR children, and we have a responsibility to do well by them. The place to start would be to reverse the budget cuts to education that the General Assembly made during the last legislative session at Matt Bevin’s bidding.)
- Build Healthy, Resilient Communities ~The recommendations here included expanding evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental illness, providing more care options for seniors and Kentuckians with disabilities, remove barriers to expanding Medicare, Medicaid buy-in options and reinsurance, and reduce sentences for low-level, non-violent crimes (decriminalizing marijuana use).
- Equip Kentucky for Prosperity in the Modern Economy ~ We have allowed our infrastructure to crumble… and it is long past time we invested in improving it. This includes expanding broadband access, upgrading roads and bridges, upgrade Kentucky’s water infrastructure, and accelerate the transition to clean, renewable power.
- Clean Up the Tax Code to Invest in the Commonwealth ~ Fixing the upside-down tax code, restoring the graduated income tax, and cleaning up tax breaks (too many for the rich), and reduce the reliance on consumption taxes.
You can get more information about the research behind these recommendations and how we can make them happen here.
Jason did an excellent job laying out policy ideas worth pursuing and reminded us how we make positive change...
“When we let people drive our policy, we find success.”
I will highlight other great speakers and initiatives from this gathering over the next few days. There’s a lot of potential here in Kentucky, and y’all need to hear all about it!
