District 7 E-Newsletter

Councilwoman Paula McCraney 601 W. Jefferson Street (502) 574-1107
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Councilwoman 

Paula McCraney
601 W. Jefferson Street

Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-1107

 

Click Here to

Email Councilwoman McCraney

 

For assistance, or to schedule a meeting with Councilwoman McCraney, call:

Logan

Logan Fogle

Legislative Assistant

(502) 574-3454


Visit the District 7 Website




Phone Numbers
of Interest

 Air Pollution: 574-6000

Animal Services: 363-6609
or 361-1318

Anonymous Tipline:
574-LMPD (5673)

Brightside: 574-2613

Jefferson County Clerk's Office: 574-5700

Legal Aid: 584-1254

Metro Call: 311 or 574-5000

Metro Parks: 574-7275

Metro Police: (Non Emergency) 574-7111 or 574-2111

Metro Safe: 572-3460
or 574-7111

MSD: 587-0603

PARC: 569-6222

Poison Control: 589-8222

Property Valuation Administration: 502-574-6380


Public Works: 574-5810

Solid Waste Management (SWMS): 574-3571

TARC: 585-1234

Veteran's Affairs: 595-4447

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In this Issue



Message From McCraney

Metro Council is back in full force from a three-week summer break. I chaired the Committee on Equity and Inclusion meeting on Thursday. The topic of discussion was Equity in the Justice System | Criminal Justice Reform.  Our guest speaker was Professor Marcia Ziegler, J.D., Program Chair, Associate Professor of Legal Studies and Criminal Justice, Ivy Tech Community College, Sellersburg, IN, and Adjunct Professor with the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.

Professor Ziegler provided us with useful data about the need for justice reform and what are the current options for local, state and federal governments. She also provided general data on inequities in the system and discussed the following topics: Equal Justice Initiative, The  Sentencing Project, National Center for State Courts, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Prison Policy Initiative, Wrongful Incarceration Exoneration, Law Enforcement Overreach, and Race and Policing in the U.S.

Some key points that I zeroed in on during her presentation were;

1. Data matters! The justice system does a poor job of collecting data. Data collection is an important check on sentencing, police interactions with citizens and use of force.

2. The majority of Americans surveyed believe that people are treated differently by the police based on race.

3. Officers are more likely to view police-involved shootings as "isolated incidents" than are citizens.

4. 2/3 of police officers believe demonstrations are out of anti-police bias and not a desire to hold police accountable.

5. The increase in stop and frisk is often disparate on race, and more white Americans are found with contraband.

6. 80-90% of girls in the juvenile system are sexual assault victims.

7. 1-4 foster children will have a system contact within 2 years.

8. Upwards of 60% of people held in jail are there because they can't afford cash bail.

9. 5.2 million Americans cannot vote due to felony convictions.

10.College educated police officers are less likely to use force, but are more likely to arrest for less serious crimes if that practice is part of promotion.

The Committee on Equity and Inclusion meets bi-weekly on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. The next meeting is August 5, and bi-weekly thereafter.  Future topics for discussion include:  Reparations, Women's Equality Day Observance, Unconscious Biases in Law Enforcement, Microaggressions, Avoiding Ageism, The Generation Gap, Equity in Elections, Equity in Hospitality and Tourism, and the Wealth Gap in America.

I invite you to tune into the Metro Council Committee Meetings, and would love to know that you are tuning in on the Committee on Equity and Inclusion meetings. All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and  U-verse Channel 99. The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk. (Click here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.)  

You may also access prior or current meetings by clicking on this link: http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.  To access meetings though Facebook, CLICK HERE.

If you are interested in obtaining the agenda for a meeting, click on this link about two days prior to a meeting: http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.

For a copy of Professor Marcia Ziegler's PowerPoint presentation, call my Legislative Assistant, Logan, at 574-3454, to make the request. He will be happy to email a copy to you.

The next Metro Council meeting is Thursday, July 29th at 6:00 p.m.  We are now meeting in-person in the City Hall legislative chambers. Tune in and watch us in action as we discuss the business of city government and cast votes on legislation that affects your daily life.  

In next week's e-Newsletter, I will include my 2020-2021 fiscal year-end review.  The review will include a comprehensive list of my voting record for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, as well as how your tax dollars were spent for District 7 projects and other causes throughout the community. 

I encourage you to send me an email or call the District 7 office if you have any questions or comments.  I love hearing from you!



ARP Public Hearing

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The Metro Council has one more meeting to hear from the public on how to distribute $340 million.  During the last two public hearing sessions, we had many good and impassioned comments, and we have received over 700 additional comments online.

The last in-person public hearing is Monday, July 26th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at West Broadway Church of Christ, 3921 West Broadway. The last day to comment online is Friday, July 30th at 5:00 p.m.

To share your ideas on how the remaining ARP funds should be spent, click on one of the following links: 

https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/zmw8u5j0366emk/

or

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk.

What can — and can’t — the American Rescue Plan funding be used for?

See the U.S. Department of Treasury's facts sheets, references and other information.



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Saturday, August 7, 2021

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Location: TBD

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Notice of Public Hearings

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Click here to view notice.

MEETING DATE: July 26, 2021

MEETING TIME: 1:00 PM

LOCATION: ONLINE - CLICK BELOW:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings

For basic details of this case, please click here.

For specific case information, please call or email the listed case manager, Zachary Schwager, at Zachary.Schwager@louisvilleky.gov. 

If you have any questions, please contact Planning & Design directly at 574-6230.  


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Click here to view notice

MEETING DATE: August 2, 2021

MEETING TIME: 1:00 PM

LOCATION: ONLINE - CLICK BELOW:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings

For basic details of this case, please click here.

For specific case information, please call or email the listed case manager, Zachary Schwager, at Zachary.Schwager@louisvilleky.gov. 

If you have any questions, please contact Planning & Design directly at 574-6230.  


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Click here to view notice.


MEETING DATE: August 2, 2021

MEETING TIME: 1:00 PM

LOCATION: ONLINE - CLICK BELOW:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings

For basic details of this case, please click here.

For specific case information, please call or email the listed case manager, Zachary Schwager, at Zachary.Schwager@louisvilleky.gov. 

If you have any questions, please contact Planning & Design directly at 574-6230.  



COVID-19

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BUT WE CAN HELP MAKE IT GO AWAY!

The delta variant is causing a spike in cases across the United States. This week, Governor Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, updated Kentuckians on the current status of COVID-19 and the delta variant in the Commonwealth. 

The administration is encouraging unvaccinated Kentuckians and Kentuckians in jobs that require consistent contact with the public to take additional precautions to avoid and contain the spread. These recommendations include: unvaccinated individuals wear masks indoors when not in their homes; individuals at higher risk from COVID-19 due to pre-existing conditions wear masks indoors when not in their home; vaccinated Kentuckians in jobs with significant public exposure consider wearing masks at work; and a strong plea for unvaccinated Kentuckians get vaccinated. 

Nationwide, 97% of COVID-19 related hospitalizations are among those who are not vaccinated, according to Dr. Stack. The Governor noted that nearly 2.25 million Kentuckians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 61% of Kentuckians 18 or older have received both doses of the vaccine. However, only 51% of Kentuckians aged 40 to 49, 46% of Kentuckians aged 30-39, and 36% of Kentuckians aged 18 to 29 have received the vaccine. All Kentuckians can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at vaccine.ky.gov.*

*Reporting from newsletter issued by State Senator Karen Berg.



News You Can Use

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Fire Response Agreement

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It’s official!  A life-saving agreement between Louisville Fire Department and suburban fire departments, including St. Matthews Fire and Rescue, which will allow local departments to automatically provide mutual aid when responding to a fire or other emergency has been executed.

A half-mile buffer zone will be set up around each of the fire department districts. When residents call for assistance within the buffer zone, units from both the home fire department and bordering fire department will respond. For example, the St. Matthews Fire Department will respond to a fire that's closer to them, even if the area is technically in the Louisville district.

To read more about what is called the "Plus One agreement" click here.


Pop-Up Drop-Off Event

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Saturday, July 24 from 10AM- 2PM
Metro Fleet Services, 3515 Newburg Road

Accepted Items: 

  • Up to 3 electronic items (recycled)
  • Metal & appliances, no refrigerators or any items containing coolant (recycled) 
  • Up to 4 passenger tires (recycled)
  • Household recyclables, follow curbside rules (recycled)
  • Yard waste, follow curbside rules, wooden pallets (composted)
  • Large household items (landfilled) 
  • Documents for shredding (recycled)
  • Prescription medication (disposed properly)

Click here for more information.

Event flyer in Spanish


New Recycling Schedule

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The new every other week recycling schedule began this week. The new recycling schedule in Louisville's Urban Services District (USD) has started and this is the first week without curbside recycling.  Recycling resumes next week and will occur every other week after that time.  (Garbage and yard waste collection remains on a weekly schedule). Keep up with the schedule with the Recycle Coach disposal calendar, alerts and more here.

We are gradually moving toward use of recycling carts, and residents who recycle have been receiving free 95-gallon blue-topped carts. Although the first round of recycling cart deliveries is complete, there are still many recyclers who have yet to receive one. If you’re still waiting, here’s what you need to know:

  1. If you have not already filled out the Recycling Cart Request Form, do that as soon as possible.
  2. If you HAVE filled out the form, please do not fill it out again.
  3. Metro Public Works (MPW) started delivering to addresses with Monday recycling collection and then moved to addresses with Tuesday recycling collection. Then Wednesday, and so on.
  4. This second round of deliveries are being done by MPW crews (not contractors). Crews can only deliver about 85 carts per day and there are over 2,000 requests.
  5. While you wait for your new cart, you may continue to use your old 18-gallon recycling bin(s) as well as additional container(s) or cardboard boxes for recycling overflow. You may also utilize one of the recycling drop-off dumpsters.
  6. Learn more at Louisvilleky.gov/RecycleMore and thanks for your patience!

Team Kentucky's Shot-At-A-Million

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Team Kentucky's Shot-At-A-Million provides a great incentive for Kentuckians to get their shot of hope: a COVID-19 vaccine! The drawings also raise awareness of how Kentuckians can obtain an appointment for one of the safe and effective vaccines.

Eligible persons are permanent residents of Kentucky who have received at least the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Permanent residents of Kentucky are eligible even if they received the vaccine in a different state.

Entry into the drawing must be completed at here. Entry requires your name, birthdate, email address, phone number, home address and the name and location of the place that provided you with the vaccine. Entry also requires agreement to the official rules of the drawing and agreement to allow the Kentucky Department for Public Health to verify your vaccination information.

Dates Winners Will Be Announced:

Friday, July 30, 2021

Friday, August 27, 2021


COVID-19 Update

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COVID-19 cases in Louisville doubled in the last week and the more contagious and possibly more deadly Delta variant is now the dominant strain, health officials announced this week.

Though the city remains in the yellow, or second-to-safest zone, health department director Dr. Sarah Moyer said the city will likely be in the orange, or second worst, zone by the end of the week.

Nearly all serious illnesses and deaths are among people who are not vaccinated.  As of July 17, 64.54% of 40206 residents had received at least one vaccine shot; 69.28% of 40207 residents were at least partially vaccinated.  Both rates are among the highest in Jefferson County, where vaccination rates in the western and southern sections of the county remain relatively low, in some cases less than half of those in eastern zip codes.  Maps with vaccination rates by zip code are here. Higher rates are in darker green colors.    

Anyone 12 and older can easily get vaccinated virtually any day.  The best way to access vaccines is at the website https://www.vaccines.gov/. Enter your zip code and vaccine sites near you will appear. You’ll find links to click and numbers to call.

For residents who don’t have access to technology or have difficulty using an online process, the staff at Louisville Metro’s COVID-19 Helpline, (502) 912-8598, can assist with scheduling an appointment.

To stay informed on vaccine efforts in Louisville, including pop-up clinics all over town,  click here.


COVID-19 Resources in Multiple Languages

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The Office for Globalization has gathered a list of COVID-19 resources for community partners. Please note that different forms of documentation may be required based on the service. These eligibility requirements can be found on each independent site shared.

For resources in multiple languages click here.


Dispose of Hazardous Materials

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Residents of Louisville can drop off unwanted Household Hazardous Materials at the Haz Bin: 7501 Grade Lane

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

  • Closed Saturday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
  • Closed Saturday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day.
  • Closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 for Thanksgiving.

GUIDELINES:

  • To avoid leakage, do not put chemicals in trash bags.
  • The dumpsters on site are for staff use only - NOT for hazardous waste.
  • No dumping.
  • Hazardous waste from businesses is not accepted. 

For more information click here.


Utility Relief Available

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Louisville is making additional funding available for its COVID-19 Utility Relief Program, starting with $2.5 million to help residents who have fallen behind on Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) bills as a result of COVID-19.

The funds are designed to assist residents with a past-due amount on an active LG&E account. The outstanding balance must have occurred since March 16, 2020, and customers will need to attest they have had a financial hardship during the pandemic.

Customers with outstanding balances could receive a one-time credit for up to $1,000 on LG&E bills.

An additional $2.5 million will be shared with Louisville Water Co. in the coming weeks; details on that spending are not yet finalized.

Funding for the Utility Relief Program comes from the first round of American Rescue Plan Local Fiscal Recovery funds (ARP), which have been approved to address the city’s most urgent needs. The LG&E funds will be distributed by the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) via the Neighborhood Place network.

Schedule a drop off appointment in advance at one of four Neighborhood Place Drop Boxes. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-977-6636 or online at LGEHelp.itfrontdesk.com.

The federally funded LIHEAP Summer Cooling is also currently operating, providing cooling assistance for qualified residents separated in two components, Subsidy and Crisis.  Eligible households can apply for one or both components. Households must meet eligibility requirements, with a household income at or below 150% of the Kentucky median income.

LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is also administered through the Office of Resilience and Community Services. Check here for eligibility and how to apply.

For more information, contact https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services, call Metro United Way’s help referral service at 211, or Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000 or email https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro311.


Air Quality Alerts

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This week there were air quality alerts in effect for parts or all of 18 states and the District of Columbia. Louisville has been under an air quality alert this week as well. The poor air quality is from a number of factors, including smoke from ongoing Western U.S. and Canadian wildfires. We might start seeing some relief in the next day or so thanks to easternly winds pushing some of that haze to our west. In the meantime, stay informed by keeping up with Louisville's air quality here.


Loan Programs in Multiple Languages

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Did you know that you can receive assistance to start a small business or grow the one you already have? Louisville Forward's economic development team can help you through the process and they have many resources available for low- and moderate-income individuals. Now, you can read about these resources in your native language. 

Click here to see translated local loan fliers in Bosnian, Burmese, Chinese, French, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Spanish, Nepali, Swahili, and Vietnamese. 

Click here to learn more about the city's small business resources. 



Upcoming Events

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EGGFest 2021

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Friday-Saturday, August 6-7

Join us for the 12th Annual Kentuckiana Big Green EGGFest on Friday, August 6 and Saturday, August 7, 2021.

The location is the same as always: Outside Brownsboro Hardware & Paint, 4858 Brownsboro Road, Louisville.

Proceeds will go to local food-related charities.

Thanks to the generosity of previous attendees, nearly $200,000 has been donated to local food-related charities. Your participation this year can help raise that total even higher.

"It's a fun event that you need to come hungry to," said Jim Lehrer, the owner of Brownsboro Hardware & Paint. "The money goes to two local food charities, and over the past seven years we've raised over $200,000."

Friday, August 6, 2021:

6pm - 9pm

  • Meet and Greet
  • People's Choice Competition
  • "Chopped" Competition
  • Lots of tasty food to sample 
  • Music provided by Brownsboro Hardware & Paint

$30 per person. A limited number of tickets will be sold for Friday night, so please reserve your tickets early!

Kids 12 and under FREE!

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

(Please note: Since this is a charity event, these tickets are NONREFUNDABLE)

Saturday, August 7, 2021:

9am - 3pm

  • Best Beef or Pork Contest
  • Tons of incredible food to sample and savor, cooked to perfection by competing chefs
  • Big Green Egg Classes -- 9am, 11am, & 1pm

$20 per person. A limited  number of tickets will be sold for Saturday, so please reserve your tickets early!

Cooks + ONE guest get in FREE! Kids 12 and under FREE!

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

 (Please note: Since this is a charity event, these tickets are NONREFUNDABLE)

For more information on this event click here.


Water Games at Watkins Church

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Sunday, July 25 at 4PM

Join us on Sunday, July 25 at 4pm for Water Games on the Lawn! This event put on by Watkins Church and Preschool will be a fun, family-friendly event! 

Water Slides, Water Balloons, Kiddie Pools, Cornhole, Volleyball, Spike Ball, and more for FREE! All on the front Lawn of Watkins UMC.

The Kona Ice Truck will be here with treats available for purchase.

ALL are welcome.

Address: 9800 Westport Rd, 40241

For more information on this event click here.


Farmers Market

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Saturdays from 9AM-1PM

The market is open through October 30th, with a variety of farmers, craft vendors, and ready to eat meals.


LMPD 5th & 8th Divisions Night Out

The LMPD Fifth & Eighth divisions are hosting family-friendly events to promote neighborhood safety and unity, crime, drug, and violence prevention, and police-community partnerships!

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Fifth Division neighborhood list available here.

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Eighth Division neighborhood list available here.


Family Fun Run & Walk

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Saturday, July 31 from 9AM-1:30PM

Interested in supporting Tom Sawyer State Park while getting some exercise and outdoors time? This event is for you!

Click here to get tickets.



Just 4 Fun!

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  • Laughing for 15 minutes has the same health benefits as getting two extra hours of sleep. Be sure to laugh some things off today!
  • You don't need the year to change to make a resolution. You can make resolutions any day of any month of any year. You can make one now!
  • If someone gifts you something great, take a photo of yourself using/enjoying it and send it to them. It speaks louder than simply saying thanks!
  • Drinking more water is almost always the way to start feeling better and leading a healthier life. Make sure you are drinking enough water! The answer is almost always water! 
  • Next time you're at the library, remember that librarians don't just "work there." They are professional researchers who are there to help you find a place to start researching a topic!
  • If you're going on a first date, don't stress about being on your "best behavior." Relax! You want someone to like you for your real self.
  • If you're playing with a laser toy and a cat, place a treat somewhere on the floor when the cat isn't looking. This allows the cat to "catch" something, as opposed to never "catching" anything.
  • Want to know what all those weird sounding ingredients are in your skin products? On SkinSort.com you can copy and paste the ingredients in it and it will give you a breakdown of what they are and what they do to your body.
  • If you like iced coffee, but don't like when it becomes watered down, try making frozen coffee cubes instead of regular ice cubes!
  • Just 20 minutes of exercise three days a week has been shown to make people happier.
  • Nap length recommendations:
    • 10-20 minutes: This will boost alertness and refresh you.
    • 30 minutes: Don't do this! You will just feel really groggy.
    • 60-90 minutes: This will help your memory, emotional wellbeing, and boost your creativity.

What Do You See in This Picture?

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LMPD Crime Reports- District 7

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Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page.  Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.

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COVID-19 INFORMATION

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 Subscribe to Louisville Metro's Covid-19 e-newsletter for the latest news!



GOVERNMENT & POLITICS INFORMATION

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Tune in to View Metro Council Meetings

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NOTICE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and  U-verse Channel 99.

The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk. (Click here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.)  

OR access prior or current meetings here:

http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.

TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE

Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:

http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2



State Government Website Information

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Click Here for State Government Website

Click Here to:  View All Agencies



Kentucky General Assembly

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Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc

Click here for more info.