Rep. Will Coursey (center) has Trent Lovett (left) and Jessica Scillian (right) sign
his candidacy papers. “It means a lot to me to have their support,” Rep. Coursey
said.
FRANKFORT, KY – State Representative Will Coursey, who was first elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in early 2008, announced today that he is seeking another two-year term representing the 6th House District.
“Working on behalf of the people of Marshall, Lyon and McCracken counties has been even more rewarding than I ever thought it could be,” said Rep. Coursey, D-Benton. “I have been able to establish a good working relationship with the leadership of the General Assembly and especially my colleagues from West Kentucky, making it possible to really help this region through projects like I-69 improvements and the Land Between the Lakes bridges and a new middle school in Lyon County. I also supported construction of a new modern health department and a new children’s art
center in Marshall County. My goal is to build on this progress during the current legislative session and in the years ahead, and I look forward to asking voters for their continued support.”
Rep. Coursey added that he has been a staunch advocate of 2nd Amendment rights. In 2011, he sponsored the law that made it easier for those without concealed-carry permits to keep their firearms in any manufactured-created container in their vehicle. An earlier court ruling had limited firearms to gloveboxes, which some vehicles do not have.
A year later, Rep. Coursey sponsored another law that made it possible for people to carry concealed weapons on their own property without a concealed-carry license, a move that also included sole proprietors of their own business.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo praised Rep. Coursey’s commitment to his constituents.
“He has accomplished so much as a legislator and has an especially bright future here in the House,” Speaker Stumbo said. “We’re lucky to have him here.”
Rep. Coursey is chairman of the House’s Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, a role that has him overseeing the chamber’s efforts to help veterans and those still serving in the military. This work also includes helping to lead the way in improving the safety of our law enforcement and correctional officers, an issue that became even more prominent last fall as a result of the shooting death of Kentucky State Police Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder.
In his other legislative responsibilities, Rep. Coursey is vice chairman of the chamber’s Banking and Insurance Committee, which builds on his work in the banking industry; and he is a member of several other legislative committees: Agriculture and Small Business; Labor and Industry; State Government; and Transportation.
In addition, he is vice chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance and Public Protection, a role that gives him the ability to guide state spending in those areas.
“We have a considerable number of issues before us during the 2016 Regular Session, the most important of which is the state budget for the next two years,” Rep. Coursey said. “My top priorities will be making sure our schools and workforce development programs have the proper resources so that our citizens have the education and training they need to thrive in today’s economy. We also will be looking for ways to strengthen our public retirement systems and making sure our vulnerable citizens are protected. As these and other issues show, the session will certainly be a busy 60 days.”