For 130 years, Commerce Lexington Inc. and its predecessors have served as the lead advocate for the Central Kentucky business community at all levels of government. Our ongoing strength and effectiveness resides in the collective focus of some 1,800 members – members who believe in free enterprise, understand the need to forge and readily embrace change, and who work to enhance the power of education to change lives and the economy.
In today's political and economic times, it is critical that your business have representation to monitor and lobby on your behalf the important issues that face you at a local, state and federal level. Commerce Lexington's Public Policy Team has the experience and resources to represent you from City Hall to our nation's Capitol. Most Commerce Lexington members can't afford a full-time staff person and/or lobbyist to monitor every bill and regulation that moves through Frankfort which can dramatically
impact business. That is why Commerce Lexington's public policy efforts are critical for its members. Only Commerce Lexington can understand your local needs, state needs and federal needs, because just like you - we're located in Central Kentucky.
For all of your issue-related needs and concerns, contact Commerce Lexington’s chief lobbyist, Tyler Campbell, at (859) 226-1614 or tcampbell@commercelexington.com.
Commerce Lexington Inc. Releases 2012 Public Policy Statements
Commerce Lexington Inc. released the organization’s 2012 public policy statements this week (Dec. 8, 2011), prior to the start of the 2012 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Commerce Lexington’s public policy statements represent the organization’s legislative priorities at the federal, state and local levels of government. The organization’s annual public policy statements are the direct result of the hard work and effort put forth by Commerce Lexington Inc.’s Public Policy Council. The Public Policy Council is a crucial part of Commerce Lexington’s public policy efforts and is comprised of thirty-five volunteer members that represent a broad spectrum of the organization’s 1,800 member companies, including local government, large and small businesses, education groups, utilities and nonprofits.
This year, Commerce Lexington’s public policy statements include some additions to its education, economic development, human resources and labor, health care and environmental policy statements.
In light of the current economy and the ever present need to grow and retain jobs in our community, Commerce Lexington Inc. added additional language to its public policy statements to highlight new economic development incentives and tax credits that will create and attract new jobs and investment to our community. Other changes to the economic development statements include public policy support for the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement (BEAM) initiative between Lexington and the city of Louisville.
Changes to Commerce Lexington’s health care policy statements include support for alternative measures to effectively combat drug and substance abuse in the Commonwealth. One of the most pressing issues identified by Commerce Lexington Inc.’s annual public policy survey was the need of employers to find qualified workers, and many of these business owners indicated that it was very difficult to find a drug-free workforce. Commerce Lexington Inc. is committed to working with members of the Kentucky General Assembly to support legislation that will address ways to combat the growing drug abuse problem in Kentucky.
Commerce Lexington is committed to serving Central Kentucky’s business community by advocating for pro-business legislation at all levels of government, while maintaining the relationships with our federal, state and local elected officials and their staffs. Commerce Lexington and its Public Policy Council will continue to work tirelessly to protect the viability of our state’s small businesses as well as our Commonwealth’s signature industries.
2012 COMMERCE LEXINGTON INC. PUBLIC POLICY STATEMENTS (.PDF)
Proposed LFUCG Noise Ordinance Presents Issues for Local Business and Industry
Commerce Lexington Inc. has continued to engage in the discussion concerning the proposed LFUCG noise ordinance. The LFUCG Noise Ordinance Task Force completed its work in May and the ordinance has since been sent to the Urban County Council's Public Safety Committee, where it is scheduled to be heard on November 15th.
Commerce Lexington's Public Policy Council identified several concerns with the proposed LFUCG Noise Ordinance. The proposed noise ordinance does present a number of potential issues for businesses that operate and receive/ship/unload goods and materials on varying shifts (basically anything after 9:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m.). Also, land use and zoning requirements are not considered in the ordinance. A company operating under normal working conditions as previously permitted and zoned to operate could find their business open to noise complaints/violations with the wording of this proposed ordinance. While the proposed ordinance does provide some exemptions, many businesses that operate with multiple shifts could find themselves subject to a per se violation upon passage of this ordinance.
The ordinance also proposes the creation of a "Noise Board," which is granted the authority to process noise complaints and issue variances to the ordinance. This Board creates another level of bureaucracy (not to mention additional cost) to determine the issuance of variances and to hear noise complaints. The Board consists of eight citizen appointees who may vote on issues before the Board, the noise control officer who is an ex-officio member and one ex-officio member of the construction or manufacturing sector as well as one ex-officio member of the music industry. While the business community would have a voice in the discussions that come before the Board, business would not be able to vote on any issue. As written, this ordinance poses a number of problems for business and industry in Lexington.
CONTACT: If you have any questions regarding the proposed noise ordinance and the potential impact on your business, please feel free to contact me via email at tcampbell@commercelexington.com or at (859) 226-1614.
VIEW A COPY OF THE PROPOSED LFUCG NOISE ORDINANCE HERE (.PDF)
Commerce Lexington Inc.'s Public Policy Process
Commerce Lexington's Public Policy Council is the bricks, mortar and labor that make the structure that is Commerce Lexington's Public Policy effort. The council members and chair are all volunteers and represent a variety of non-profit, local government, large and small businesses, education groups and utilities representing a broad spectrum of Commerce Lexington's 1,800 member companies. The Council's Chairman is appointed annually by the Chair of the Board of Commerce Lexington.
The Public Policy Council meets monthly May through December and establishes the agenda for Commerce Lexington for the upcoming session. During these meetings, the Council hears from a variety of groups, non-profits and businesses that want to join Commerce Lexington in advocating for their positions in Frankfort and Washington.
After the Public Policy Council approves the policy statements, the positions are then approved by Commerce Lexington's Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Once approved, the statements are published annually in Commerce Lexington's "Legislative Focus." Copies of the agenda are distributed to all of Commerce Lexington's members, members of the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council and Mayor's office.
In the heat of a Legislative Session, there are always important and timely legislative issues and bills that arise. When the Public Policy Council is asked to weigh-in on legislation, emergency meetings take place for the Council to take up the legislation and create Commerce Lexington's position. The position is then passed on to the Executive and Board of Directors for approval if time allows.