Issue Position: Promoting Economic Development and Kentucky Jobs

Issue Position

Economic development is one of the main pillars to help propel us to increase our quality of life, our income, and our community. Kentucky needs to be more assertive in becoming a business friendly state. We need higher paying jobs, not higher individual or company taxes and fees. Our creativity has been stagnant; I can bring thinking outside of the box and knowing the cost drivers to the General Assembly.

Based on my business and government experience, Kentucky has built higher barriers and more impediments that cause people and businesses to not invest in our Commonwealth.

As a small business owner, an employee of large companies and a leader on Louisville Metro Council economic development issues, I will advocate economic development policies such as

Fewer regulations which will give businesses more flexibility to reinvest in their capital, hire more employees, and produce quality products and services

Enact tax reform with a simpler plan for all individuals and companies (phased in over several years)

Migrate to a consumption-based tax system and away from an income tax structure for competitiveness. As a Louisville Metro Councilman, I sponsored a Local Option Sales Tax Economic Impact Study for Louisville, which illustrates Louisville's heavy tax burden

Adopt Right to Work law to level the competitive playing field

Repeal prevailing wage rates that drive up the cost of government business

Adhere to the federal guidelines on minimum wage rates

Think outside the box and allow the market to flourish with more reinvestments (such as what occurred in 2015 by changing the bourbon taxes which cost the state $12 million but stimulated $750 million of investment)

Remove business inventory tax and tighten loop holes

Eliminate inheritance tax.

With my background and experience working with corporate and government budgets, I understand the cost drivers and will ask questions and seek solutions to justify your tax dollars. I will provide leadership by leveraging my business and government background to find ways to make Kentucky more competitive not only on a regional basis but also nationally. We need to put more money in the hands of the individuals who produce it.

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