Legislative Update: Higdon appointed to state’s workforce innovation board
By SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator
SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 — Autumn is already upon us as we celebrate the return of fall colors and cooler weather. In advance of the special session, members of the Kentucky General Assembly have been busy during the Interim period. Although we are not in session currently, there are many issues that face our Commonwealth that can be addressed outside of the convened legislative body including hearing from citizens across the state about issues that directly affect them.
One issue that has been heavily discussed in our summer meetings is the lack of Kentucky workers. Although it may not seem obvious in our everyday lives, Kentucky employers are struggling to find able-bodied Kentuckians to fill necessary roles.
That is why I am so excited to announce that I was appointed to the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board by Governor Bevin. This board specifically targets the Kentucky workforce by advising the Governor on policy recommendations that help both job seekers and employers. The board also encourages both local and regional investments in Kentucky companies and employees while attracting new businesses to the state. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to make Kentucky competitive on a national and international level.
I am staying busy outside of Frankfort as well. One of my favorite times of the year has arrived: the turkey social season. Very few things are better than homemade food on a fall Kentucky day, and I am truly looking forward to seeing you all at these events:
- October 7: Turkey Social at Holy Cross Parish in Holy Cross
- October 14: Turkey Social at Holy Trinity Parish in Fredericktown
- October 21: Turkey Social at St. Catherine Parish in New Haven
- October 28: Turkey Social at Saint Rose Parish in Springfield
- November 4: Turkey Social at Holy Name of Mary in Calvary
- November 11: Turkey Social at St. Augustine Parish in Lebanon
If you are able to make any of these events I highly encourage you to attend. The food is fantastic and the company even better. If I left any events off this list, please free to reach out to me and I will do my best to include them in my social media posts or future columns.
Lastly, I want to thank all of you for attending our recent Town Hall meetings on pension reform. Over the last two weeks I have visited each of my counties along with Representative McCoy, Representative Tipton, Representative Reed, and Representative Elliot. All were very well attended and I was greeted by very passionate state employees concerned about their pensions. Everyone asked very good questions and were very respectful. I do appreciate the courtesy shown to me during those meetings.
I hear your concerns and I appreciate your comments. If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181, on my home phone at 270-692-6945, or email me at Jimmy.Higdon@LRC.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov.
Note: Senator Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) represents the 14th District including Casey, Marion, Nelson and Spencer counties, as well as part of Jefferson County. He was recently selected by his caucus colleagues as the Senate President Pro-Tem Designee and will be elected by the full Senate body in the next regular session.
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