New Tax Breaks Are Not Free
This General Assembly, like prior ones, includes a slew of bills that would create new or expand existing tax breaks...
Many Kentuckians Work in Bad Jobs
Anecdotal claims are often made that many good jobs are available across the state but Kentucky lacks a workforce skilled and responsible enough to fill those jobs. But the fact...
Not Yet to Full Economic Recovery
The economy as a whole has been slowly improving and Kentucky’s unemployment rate has fallen from 10.9 percent in June 2009 to 4.8 percent now — the lowest rate since...
No Need to Overinflate Pension Liabilities
Lately the governor is saying Kentucky’s unfunded pension liabilities are not the $33 billion reported by the systems’ actuaries, but a much larger $82 billion. That estimate is based on...
Will More Revenue from Tax Reform Be Real and Sustaining?
Governor Bevin suggested in his State of the Commonwealth speech that his tax plan will generate more revenue to help Kentucky pay down its large unfunded pension liabilities. Kentucky needs more...
Low Wages at Bottom Demonstrate Need for Policies that Boost Earnings
Following meaningful wage growth in 2015, real wages dropped slightly for Kentucky workers in 2016 and are still below where they were back in 2001. With wages low for a...
Kentucky Should Reject Dangerous Call to Reopen Constitution
The Kentucky General Assembly may consider resolutions (versions introduced as HJR 54, HCR 13 and SCR 143) that are part of a well-funded national effort calling for a new convention to rewrite the rules of...
Cutting Wages No Way to Grow Kentucky’s Economy
Legislative leaders say the 2017 Kentucky General Assembly will focus on jobs and the economy. That priority is welcome given challenges across the state. But the policy issues reportedly topping...
The Financial Condition of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Industry in Kentucky
To view this as a PDF, click here. State legislation enacted in recent decades has limited workers’ compensation benefits in Kentucky. As a result, workers’ compensation insurers have benefited, which...
Inheritance Tax Repeal Is Giveaway to the Top Kentucky Can’t Afford
To view this brief in PDF format, click here. Since 1906, Kentucky has relied on the inheritance tax to help pay for the good schools, infrastructure and other investments that...