LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

KAM Targets Lower Costs, Workforce Development As Top Priorities for 2008 Advocacy Agenda

The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has announced an “aggressive, member-driven” advocacy agenda for the Commonwealth’s largest industry in 2008 based on member research conducted during 2007, according to Jim LeMaster, president and CEO.

“Our members have told us in no uncertain terms they want us to help them lower costs and find more qualified workers,” says LeMaster, who in July took over the top position at KAM, one of Kentucky’s oldest business associations. “Our agenda is actually a five-year strategy to help grow Kentucky’s economy and be recognized as one of the world’s most desired locations for manufacturing.”

KAM moved its office from Louisville to 609 Chamberlin Ave. in Frankfort on Nov. 16, which LeMaster says will make the 96-year-old association even more effective.

At the top of KAM’s legislative agenda is a new economic incentives package that’s being developed to help existing manufacturers increase efficiency and productivity without being required to add new jobs. “We do a lot to bring new companies into Kentucky, but we also need to do more to help manufacturers stay in Kentucky,” he says.

“We are going to work with Gov. Steve Beshear, Sec. John Hindman and the General Assembly to see if we can’t help our companies invest in new, high-speed production equipment, information technology and other capital projects,” LeMaster says. “This will help them compete better in the global economy against low-wage nations.”

Another top priority is helping manufacturers find more qualified employees. “Today’s advanced manufacturing environment requires entry-level workers who know how to do math, read at a high level, solve problems in teams and have a strong work ethic,” LeMaster said. “Many manufacturers are telling us through surveys and focus groups that they are increasingly having problems recruiting the people they need. And as Baby Boomers retire, we must act now to ensure their replacements are ready to go.”

To help solve the problem, KAM is working with the education cabinet, the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) and other groups to promote an advanced manufacturing curriculum in the public schools.

LeMaster says he’s looking forward to his first General Assembly session as president of KAM. “We have the largest and most experienced team on the ground in Frankfort of any state-wide business association,” he said. “Our 9 men and women have more than 200 years of combined experience and know how to get things done.”

LeMaster himself is a registered KAM lobbyist, heads up the team. Other team members include Jitter Allen, Carl Breeding, Donna Brown, Rusty Cress, Greg Higdon, Kelly Shasky, and Mike Shea. Bert May, a member of the Greenebaum Doll & McDonald Law Firm, has also joined KAM’s team for 2008.

Here are some of the highlights of KAM’s 2008-2012 advocacy agenda:

• Introduce and pass legislation to provide economic incentives for manufacturers to improve productivity and efficiency without being required to add new jobs.
  
• Improve manufacturing workforce development by encouraging an advanced manufacturing curriculum in public secondary schools, updating the manufacturing career image, promoting in-school mentoring programs, and supporting programs that improve students’ performance in reading, math and science.
  
• Work with Gov. Steve Beshear and the General Assembly to continue improving Kentucky’s overall business climate, including its tax climate .
  
• Promote tort reform to shield Kentucky manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits and other anti-business legal practices that drive up the cost of doing business in Kentucky.
  
• Encourage aggressive health and wellness programs to help Kentucky manufacturers lower their health care costs.
• Work with policymakers to prevent or amend proposed regulations that may increase costs for Kentucky manufacturers.
  

Manufacturing is Kentucky’s number one commercial industry by more than a two-to-one margin over the second-place real estate segment, according to the most recent economic data. Manufacturing contributes $27 billion, or 20 percent, of Kentucky’s gross product per year. Real estate produces 9 percent while all other industries contribute less.

2008 KAM LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM 2008-2012