Local and state chamber officials discussed their priorities for the 2022 session of the Kentucky General Assembly during a Chamber eye-opener breakfast Tuesday morning at the Bruce Convention Center.
Improving Kentucky’s health outcomes, investing in education and continuing to invest in infrastructure were among priorities noted by Kentucky Chamber President Ashli Watts.
She says the chamber wants to see comprehensive tax reform with a gradual move toward the Tennessee model of a higher sales tax with no state income tax.
Tracey Clark chairs the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee and says Christian County will fight for its share of the recently approved federal infrastructure bill to build the proposed industrial connector from the industrial parks area to KY 115 and to bring the Pennyrile Parkway to interstate standards.
The local chamber wants all cities and counties to have more options to generate revenue such as the ability to institute restaurant and hotel taxes.
Clark says the local chamber also wants comprehensive tax reform similar to Tennessee and in the meantime, to exempt military retiree pensions from the state income tax.
The local chamber is now offering a survey to its members to see what they believe should be the top legislative priorities in 2022.