Attendees of the CBC Annual Legislative Luncheon received an update on highlights from the 2018 General Assembly session and were provided a preview of what to look for in the 2019 shortened session.  It was an all Republican panel as retiring Democratic state representative Arnold Simpson declined to participate.  The group talked about how state tax reform has made the Commonwealth more competitive with neighboring states.  In the Tax Foundation’s just-released 2019 State Business Tax Climate Index, Kentucky moved from 33rd in the nation in the 2018 index to 23rd in the 2019 index, jumping ahead 10 spots

Representative Adam Koenig discussed House Bill Two which he sponsored updating the state’s workers compensation law for the first time in more than two decades.  Representative Diane St. Ong discussed her support for entrepreneurs serving as Chair of the Small Business and Technology Committee, of which she invited fellow members to NKY in September for a tour of UpTech and all the other vibrant activity going on in Covington’s Central Business District.  State Senator Chris McDaniel discussed all the work rebuilding the state’s pension system and balancing the $30 billion state budget, an accomplishment he said is often forgotten or downplayed because of the pension reform interest.  As far as legislation that may get attention next year, Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer said there is potential for bipartisan support for sports wagering and education reform.