The head of the statewide organization representing Kentucky cities says the political makeup of the executive or legislative branches of state government is not a major issue.
Kentucky League of Cities Executive Director J.D. Chaney said a Democratic governor and a Republican controlled legislature doesn’t impact lobbying efforts. “Regardless of who set in that seat in the governor’s chair or in the legislature seat, Kentucky League of Cities’ Board does an analysis of what policy positions help advance city governments,” said Chaney.
Chaney, who has lobbied for KLC for years in Frankfort, said city leaders are concerned about expenses tied to pension costs. He noted they would like to see separate governance of the county employee retirement system. Plus Chaney added streets and roads within city boundaries need attention. “Others have recognized that we’ve got to do more to invest in our infrastructure. Every other state around us has bitten the bullet and raised the gas tax in their state in order to make investments in that transportation infrastructure,” Chaney said.
Chaney said city officials across the state also back state action to modernize local taxation. Chaney believes moving up the filing deadline for political races will help engage lawmakers in substantive consideration of legislation sooner.?
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