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As the state’s premier business advocate, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is a recognized and respected voice at the state Capitol. With thousands of members representing every major industry sector, the Chamber’s diverse business policy initiatives converge upon one goal: a healthy, vibrant Kentucky economy. Ensuring that business has a voice in the legislative process, we are working with local business leaders to identify critical trends, at the table as regulations are drafted and in the halls of the Capitol as bills are debated. Building on the success of 60 years, we remain committed to helping Kentucky’s economy grow and prosper by providing leading-edge advocacy on behalf of the business community.

As part of its advocacy mission, the Kentucky Chamber has developed five public policy councils composed of business leaders from around the state and three advisory/support committees, each of which is responsible for developing legislative positions and priorities for their respective policy areas.

Education and Workforce Council

Kentucky’s economic viability is directly linked to the education and skills of its citizens. We believe that education at all levels must be responsive to the needs of employers and all students – children and adults. With a focus on lifelong learning, the education and workforce council works to ensure that Kentucky’s economy inherits a prepared, productive and diverse workforce. The council develops policies to support and improve education at all levels.

Council Chair: Mike Owsley, Partner, English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley LLP, Bowling Green

Energy and Environmental Council

The energy and environmental council seeks to promote Kentucky as an energy leader and supports policies to achieve environmental protection without unnecessarily hindering economic development and business growth. Its members support legislative and administrative actions that are scientifically valid, technically feasible and economically rational.

Council Chair: Tim Hagerty, Attorney, Frost Brown Todd, Louisville

Government Efficiency Council

With the difficulties of budgeting for state government, it is more important than ever for the legislature to make very strategic decisions with limited resources. The government efficiency council focuses on all facets of government spending including proposed government efficiencies in the structure of government, public pension and personnel costs, public employee collective bargaining and other issues.

Council Chair: Brad Cowgill, President, SmartClaim, LLP, Lexington

Health and Wellness Council

Rising health care costs have become a significant fiscal threat to Kentucky’s businesses. As such, the health and wellness council is focused on developing comprehensive, long-term solutions to help slow the ever-increasing costs of health care in Kentucky and to promote public policies that will help improve the overall health and well-being of Kentucky’s citizens.

Kentucky Competitiveness Council

By promoting business recruitment, retention and expansion, the competitiveness council seeks to increase Kentucky’s competitiveness, not only with our border states, but with competitors around the world. To achieve that goal, the council is actively engaged in policy initiatives aimed at modernizing the economy, creating jobs, supporting state income and expenditure practices that promote long-term economic growth in Kentucky and improving the quality of life for all citizens. Economic development practices, labor laws, human resource policies, taxation and the state budget are among the focuses of the council.

Council Chair: Kentucky Competiveness Council: Dan Bork, Vice President-Tax, Lexmark International, Lexington

Litigation Committee

The litigation committee reviews opportunities for the Chamber to further its policy goals when litigation occurs that has the potential to impact a broad cross section of the organization's membership.

Council Chair: Linda Foss, Assistant General Counsel/Corporate Secretary, Ashland Inc., Covington

Small Business Committee

Because small businesses are often disproportionately affected by challenges facing the economy, the small business committee focuses on ensuring the broad range of issues of particular importance to small business owners are adequately represented in the Chamber’s policy development process.

Council Chair: Tierra Kavanaugh Turner, CEO, TKT Associates, Inc., Louisville

Political Education Committee

Though known mostly for its advocacy efforts, the Chamber also works at a grassroots level to elect business-friendly candidates to the Kentucky General Assembly. By educating members and engaging them in the political process, the Chamber’s political education committee seeks to create positive change at the ballot box.