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Louisville – At the Thursday night meeting of the Louisville Metro Council, Councilman Brent T. Ackerson (D-26) issued the following statement concerning his no vote on the 1% Transient Room Increase:
“To vote against a tax increase just because it’s a tax increase, without balancing the objectives sought to be achieved through the revenues versus the burdens of tax, is merely being an obstructionist. There are effective taxes, which pay for and support important community needs, both in infrastructure and in social services. Republicans, Democrats, and the community at-large must consider wisely where we invest our current resources, how we can effectively generate new resources, and whether a tax increase will be effectively used to deliver a needed benefit.
I am a supporter of the local option sales tax, which is being championed by Mayor Fischer, because it requires legislators and the voters to thoughtfully consider whether a tax increase for specific projects is an investment worthy of the burden placed upon the community.
With regards to the Hotel Tax Increase the Metro Council passed tonight, I opposed such because:
-- This is a tax increase that was proposed to pay for the debt incurred by the Convention Center’s expansion. However, we have not been presented with anything that gives certainty that once the debt obligations have been paid for then the tax increase will go away. Instead, I am of the opinion that the tax increase is perpetual, and ultimately the surplus tax revenue after the debt is paid will go towards padding the operational funds for the Convention Center.
-- The Convention Center is owned by the State, not Metro Louisville. It should be the State’s responsibility to fund this expansion. The taxes generated by the Convention Center’s business (hotel taxes, sales taxes, etc.) go to the control of the State. If more conventions held at the Convention Center is a priority of the State for economic growth, then the State should fund this project. If that funding should be derived from a tax increase, then such a tax burden should be a state wide tax burden, not one solely placing that tax increase burden upon Metro Louisville. Already, the tax dollars generated by Louisville for Kentucky are disproportionately low in comparison to the share of tax revenue reinvested in Louisville.
As such, I have cast a vote against tonight’s Ordinance authorizing the Metro Louisville Hotel Tax Increase.”
Louisville – The Metro Council met on Thursday, April 5th. Here are highlights of the Council’s meeting.
· Approval of three franchise agreements for High Speed Internet services granted to BGN Networks, SIFI Networks and Fiber Technologies.
· Approval to accept a grant from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for a bike, pedestrian and motorist education campaign.
By a vote of 19 to 0, the Council passed a resolution supporting an amendment to the Kentucky Constitutions to restore voting rights for convicted felons who have served their time.
By a vote of 18 to 1, the Council has passed an ordinance that imposes a special 1% transient room tax for the purpose of financing the renovation or expansion of the Kentucky International Convention Center.
By a vote of 19 to 0, The Council has approved $18,870 from the Neighborhood Development Funds of Districts, 10, 5, 13, 15, 4, 17, 7, 9, 6, 23, 1, 22, 8, 14 and 18 for the Start the Heart Foundation in Louisville for CPR Training. The nonprofit group offers hands-only CPR education at no cost to the recipient. Their goal is to educate people about cardiac arrest and what to do in a cardiac emergency.
The Buechel Women's Club will host a Summer Yard Sale tomorrow morning, Saturday, July 26, from 8 am to 12 noon. The sale will be held at Saint Martha's off Klondike Lane.
Work started yesterday taking down the wooden fence near the Upper Highlands Swim Club and clearing all the brush away from the new soundwall. The overall project should be done in time for the Brookhaven Neighborhood Association Soundwall Dedication scheduled for August 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has also been working near the Ravenwood Drive equipment area this week. Congratulations to all who have been involved in this effort.
Help Save Fort Knox Jobs
Fort Knox is a vital asset to the Greater Louisville regional economy. The Army is currently evaluating a downsizing option that would cut an additional 4,100 jobs at Fort Knox. Now is the time for our region to show its support for the base.
While the communities closest to Fort Knox would be hardest hit, the effect would be far-reaching with a workforce that commutes from 39 counties and three states. The cuts would erase all growth realized by BRAC 2005 and could equate to as much as $500 million in lost payroll and spending power in the region. These cuts would also overlook the commitment this region and the commonwealth made to the base, including $251 million in new schools, roads and other needed infrastructure investments to accommodate the anticipated growth.
We are asking you to show your support for Fort Knox and our region by signing on to a letter detailing the severely negative impact more cuts would have on our region. Go to www.oneknox.com/letter and simply fill out the fields at the bottom of the letter. Your letter will automatically be sent to the designated email address at the Pentagon. We need to flood the Pentagon with public support for Fort Knox by Aug. 25, the end of the public comment period.
Go to www.oneknox.com/letter now and show your support!
Greetings from City Hall and the 26th District. We will be sending newsletters from time to time with news from City Hall and around the Louisville Metro area.
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