Louisville, Ky. (February 17, 2022) – Greater Louisville Inc. brought 50 local business leaders to Frankfort for its annual Advocacy Day presented by Charter Communications. Advocacy Day brings GLI members to the Kentucky State Capitol each year to advocate for top policy priorities and have open discussion with legislators about the needs of the business community.

Participants met with 10 elected and appointed officials throughout the day. Conversations were centered on a range of topics including tax reform, infrastructure, workforce barriers and education – all top priorities outlined in GLI’s 2022 legislative agenda.

“We are thrilled that a number of our investors joined us in Frankfort to advocate for our legislative priorities this session,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of GLI. “There is no better advocate for the business community than businesses themselves, so Advocacy Day is always a great opportunity to involve our members in the legislative process.”

Participants met with legislative leaders from both parties on a range of different policies, including:

• A conversation with Representative James Tipton and Representative Killian Timoney on education reforms
• Discussion on tax reform with Representative Jason Petrie and Senator Christian McDaniel
• Senator Damon Thayer, Senator David Givens, and Senator Morgan McGarvey discussed the Senate’s top priorities for the remainder of the session
• Senator Jimmy Higdon and Representative Sal Santoro discussed innovative infrastructure policy
• A conversation on barriers to work with Representative Samara Heavrin and Senator Julie Raque Adams
• Representative David Meade discussed the House of Representatives top legislative priorities
• Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Governor Andy Beshear, led a conversation around current executive branch priorities and how the Governor’s office can support Greater Louisville businesses

“This year’s legislative session has been packed with action on key GLI priorities. Having a number of engaged GLI investors join us today showcases the strength of the Louisville business community and our commitment to advancing policies that will grow our regional economy,” said Shelby Williams Somervell, vice president of government affairs and communications at GLI. “I am encouraged by the momentum many of our priorities have and look forward to working with the General Assembly to pass pro-business policies during the remainder of the 2022 session.”

During the event, Somervell also testified in the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs committee on House Bill 275, which later passed the committee. The bill is a top GLI priority and would begin the process of creating a constitutional amendment to allow for tax reform at the local level and would give local governments more autonomy to generate revenues.

To learn more about the 2022 state legislative agenda, click here

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About Greater Louisville Inc.

Greater Louisville Inc. - the Metro Chamber of Commerce is focused on growing the regional economy. As the region’s largest convener of business leadership, GLI leads economic and global outreach strategies focused on business attraction; nurtures the entrepreneurial eco-system; and champions the development of the community’s talent base.  As the voice of Greater Louisville’s business community, GLI advocates for a pro-business environment and facilitates businesses engagement on issues that impact regional competitiveness.  For more information, visit www.greaterlouisville.com.