Just ahead of the 2026 biennium session of the Kentucky General Assembly, discourse and politicking continues to ramp up in south western Kentucky.
Such was the case Tuesday morning, where the Silos of Hopkinsville played host to the annual Christian County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update.
Typically serving as an eye-opening breakfast, Kentucky Chamber President & CEO Ashli Watts once again peeled back the rind on what many hope to be fruitful, future legislation on a myriad of familiar subjects, including:
+ Childcare solutions pertaining to workforce
+ And strong economic progress toward meeting housing needs
Watts noted this all still wraps around a “thoughtful, conservative” approach to reducing the state’s income tax, which drops to 3.5% in January and could take another step closer to zero if the House and Senate deem accounted triggers have been met.
Three local legislators — District 8 Representative Walker Thomas, District 9 Representative Myron Dossett and District 3 Senator Craig Richardson — also offered their takes on these outlooks, and what it might mean for Christian Countians.
Thomas said Frankfort’s frequent fliers realize so many more people would return to, or for the first time enter, the workforce — if only kids of younger ages could receive daycare.
Dossett said he was “extremely disappointed” the Governor’s office didn’t include daycare owners in the “Pre-K For All” Task Force analysis — which has, in recent months, received bipartisan support across the Commonwealth.
Richardson said constituents should pay “close attention to Senator Danny Carroll’s bill,” which if approved could allow already-existing childcare facilities to prepare and test for pre-kindergarten readiness.
As far as any housing bill might go, Dossett added the current cost of infrastructure — water, sewer, roads, Internet — is “the biggest hindrance” to local and regional development of both single and multi-family units.
Thomas, meanwhile, said the remodeling of blighted properties should be a commended way forward through the demand, and also cited an idea put forward by South Western Kentucky Economic Development Executive Director Carter Hendricks.
Richardson said housing predictability and site readiness “from one county to the next” has been difficult to chart, and remains a key grappling point following the most Senate retreat.
Watts said other Kentucky Chamber priorities are:
+ Pro-growth tax reform
+ Guaranteed economic development
+ A renewed focus on infrastructure
+ Considerable education funding
+ Legal liability and regulatory amelioration
+ And affordable, sustainable healthcare options
Tuesday’s breakfast was sponsored by Planters Bank, ExxonMobil and the Pennyrile Area Development District.
FULL CONVERSATION:
