BY KENNY IMES
District 5 state representativeAs we approach Christmas and 2017 comes to a close, it is important to thankfully look back on all the significant accomplishments Kentucky has experienced this past year.
It has been a record-breaking year for business investments thanks to pro-growth legislation passed by the General Assembly. Kentucky has seen more than $8.5 billion invested in our economy and in our people. More than 14,900 new well-paid, full-time jobs have been created just since January.
We are seeing a manufacturing resurgence in the Commonwealth, one that many critics said would never come. However, with the right policies and a reduction in unnecessary, burdensome regulations, businesses are returning, opening, and expanding – offering jobs to Kentuckians and bringing an economic rebirth to this great state. I am confident this growth will continue well beyond 2017 as long as we continue promoting pro-growth, free market legislation here in Frankfort.
The upcoming 60-day budget session, which begins Tuesday, January 2 is just around the corner. The session will tackle not only the budget, but public pension reform, as the time for a special session has all but expired. The House has been working diligently on a pension bill, which will be even closer to completion by the time we return to Frankfort to begin the people’s work. The passage of a pension bill is essential to preventing deep cuts to essential services such as education and health care and saving the retirements of our state’s hard-working public servants.
Along with constructing a budget and saving pensions, the session promises to see many important policy proposals that were formulated during the interim. Many House members have already pre-filed bills for the general session focusing on important issues such as suicide prevention in public schools, imposing term limits on state legislators, protecting livestock from dangerous predators, and shoring up funds to repair deteriorating roads and bridges.
The New Year brings with it many opportunities for growth and reform for us in the General Assembly. This past session was one of our most productive in years and next year’s session is guaranteed to bring more positive changes and continued progress to the Commonwealth.
The New Year gives us a chance to start over, to right wrongs and become better people, together and individually. Although 2017 was filled with blessings, I hope in the New Year we can come together as a state and as a nation to heal, to be kinder to one another, and understand that everyone is carrying their own burdens and struggles.
It is truly an honor for me than to serve as your 5th District representative in Frankfort. As always, I welcome your comments and concerns on any issues impacting our Commonwealth, even when we are not in session. You can contact me via e-mail at kenny.imes@lrc.ky.gov and can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.ky.gov.
I pray for safe travels to those visiting family this holiday season. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
– God Bless.
