Citing the desire to inform policy around Kentucky’s pregnant workers to ensure healthy pregnancies and full-term births, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness Center for Health Equity (CHE) and the Louisville Metro Board of Health have released a Health Impact Assessment of the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Rights Act (SB18).

A Health Impact Assessment is a process that brings together scientific data, health expertise and public input to identify potential health effects of proposed laws and regulations, programs, and projects. For this assessment CHE staff spoke with stakeholders and conducted a comprehensive review of existing data on the health impacts of working while pregnant to provide a more thorough understanding of how certain working environments can impact health. They also looked at evidence for the types of accommodations that can be made to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for pregnant workers and their developing children.

“Almost everything shapes our health—where we work, play, pray, and live. Health Impact Assessments gather the right information to gain an understanding of how policies and programs affect our health so decision-makers can promote policies and plans that improve and protect health for all,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Chief Health Strategist for the city.  The department has been conducting Health Impact Assessments since 2017.

According to 2013 U.S. Census data, 62% of women were working while they carried their developing child. “The relationship between the working environment and its impact on pregnancy is significant,” said Moyer. “Maternal health is crucial to the future health and success of a woman’s child,” she added. “For instance, babies born with low birth weights are at much greater risk for chronic health conditions that can impact them throughout their lives including heart disease and diabetes as well as the ability to concentrate and thrive academically, that’s why we felt it was important to look at the health impacts of this legislation.”

Key findings include:

• Kentucky ranks 5th in the country for high rates of preterm births. Data tells us low birthweight is more common among Black infants than White or Hispanic infants. Health disparities related to race may be compounded by poor birth outcomes related to the working environment.
• The majority of Kentucky’s female workforce does not have an advanced education. Of women with births in the last 12 months, 15% did not have a high school diploma and the majority had less than a full college degree.  Level of education can impact the type of work available which ultimately impacts their health. Those with higher educations may work in positions that are less physically demanding while those with less than a high school or college diploma may work in positions that require more physical labor such as that found in factory jobs.
• Jobs available to people with limited education often pay lower wages and have less flexibility with modification requests. Women in these jobs are given less choice and control over the employment available to them than those with higher education and more flexible working hours.
• Women of color also experience differences in working environments due to racial inequities which may act as an additional burden from acquiring basic measures to protect their health and the health of their infants. Nearly one-third of Kentucky’s population identifies as a race other than white.
• Jobs that require physical labor including heavy lifting, bending and standing for long periods of time may create strain on a pregnant worker and her developing child and can lead to increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.
• Evidence indicates that women working in extremely loud environments caused by heavy machinery, loud music, guns, sirens, or a jack hammer can place their babies at risk of hearing loss.
• Allowing pregnant and postpartum workers to make reasonable modifications in their work environment such as modified duty, more frequent bathroom breaks, carrying a water bottle, and providing a safe comfortable and private space for lactating mothers to express milk can significantly reduce health risks to their developing child.

“Pregnant workers contribute significant hours to the workforce, participating in the economy and providing for their families,” said Dr. Karen Cost, chair of the Louisville Metro Board of Health. “Making basic modifications to accommodate a woman’s physical changes during pregnancy can help alleviate health concerns for themselves and their developing child while allowing women to continue to earn an income. The Kentucky Pregnant Workers Rights Act is a sound policy to help all pregnant workers deliver healthy babies.”

“As an owner of a storage facility, the benefits of a happy, healthy and productive pregnant worker far outweigh the cost of providing basic accommodations necessary,” said Helen Helton, owner of Aladdin Self Storage in Louisville. “A great employee is an asset to a business. It makes business sense to offer basic accommodations for pregnant workers.”

A complete copy of the Health Impact Assessment on the Kentucky Pregnant Worker’s Rights Act can be found here.

Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) and JBS (formerly Swift Co.) have announced the next giveaway of 60 plus fresh pork loins will be Tuesday, February 19th at Grace Hope Presbyterian Church.

“We will be on hand at the Dare to Care Mobile Food Pantry when it makes a stop at the church to help those in need,” says Sexton Smith. “JBS is a committed partner in our efforts to bring fresh food to people in need.”

The 60 plus fresh pork loins will be distributed beginning at 1:30pm at the church located at 702 East Breckinridge Street.

Councilwoman Sexton Smith and JBS began this effort in January with the goal of bringing fresh food products to either those in need or those who have a difficult time getting to a store to buy fresh foods.

The JBS meatpacking plant in Butchertown has more than 1100 employees at the Louisville plant. Most are members of UFCW Local 227.

Dare to Care was founded almost 50 years ago in Louisville to ensure that no one in the community lacks enough food to live an active, healthy life.

The organization partners with nearly 300 local social service agencies, such as food pantries, shelters and emergency kitchens to distribute food to our community. In the past year, Dare to Care and its partners provided 19.9 million meals to the community.

“I am proud to work with two great partners and together we are making sure folks in District 4 have fresh food products and live a healthier life,” said the Councilwoman.

For more information about the food distribution, contact Councilwoman Sexton Smith’s office at 502-574-1104.

Facing a $65 million-dollar budget gap over the next four years due to increased pension payments, Metro Council President David James along with Caucus Chair Pat Mulvihill, Budget Chair Bill Hollander, and Budget members Barbara Sexton Smith and Markus Winkler are sponsoring an ordinance to increase the city’s tax rates on home, life, marine and miscellaneous insurances. 

These rates would increase from their current five percent to 12.5 percent in Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 and 2021, 13.5 percent in 2022 and 15 percent in 2023.

Auto insurance would be excluded from this increase, which overall generates approximately $63 million by Fiscal Year 2023.

“Our city’s revenue growth is strong and meets our year-over-year inflationary needs but does not meet the increased pension requirements from the state,” said President David James (D-6). “The impact of unfunded pension obligations is expected to grow 12 percent each year through 2023.

That amounts to the following yearly increases: $77 million in 2018, $86 million in FY 2019, $97 million in FY 2020, $136 million in FY 2023. 

Last week the Mayor outlined potential cuts ranging from staffing reductions in nearly every Louisville Metro Government department, including police, fire, and ambulance services, as well as closing library branches, fire stations, health clinics, community centers, pools, and city golf courses.  The potential cuts amount to 317 layoffs in FY 2020 alone.

The ordinance proposes to increase the average family’s home insurance by about $12-$13 a month, or around 40 cents per day.

“While I have no desire to raise taxes, I also have no desire to let our great city be pushed backwards and see essential city services eroded and our citizens’ safety be put at risk,” said the President.  “That’s why I’m a sponsor of this ordinance to raise revenue, and I look forward to working together to find efficiencies in our government to balance our budget.”

 “This increased pension cost is far too much to deal with solely by expense reductions.  The level of service cuts we would need to implement would ripple throughout the community and seriously set us back for many years, as the downward spiral builds on itself,” Budget Chairman Bill Hollander (D-9) said. “That is not good policy and not acceptable for the people we serve.”

Councilmember Markus Winkler (D-17) agreed, “The budgetary challenges our city faces are significant, and there is no easy fix.  The only way that we can meet our pension obligations without draconian cuts to services and reduction or elimination of economy-building programs is through this revenue measure.  Though not an easy decision, it is necessary if we want to live in a strong, vibrant Louisville, the kind of place where skilled labor and employers want to move.  We cannot achieve that by cuts alone.  Investments in services like worker retraining, policing, infrastructure and parks are key to winning the competition with cities like Nashville, Columbus, and Indianapolis.”

Caucus Chair Pat Mulvihill (D-10) said: “It’s unfortunate that we are in this place needing to raise revenue due to the lack of funding of pensions for the last 20 years by Frankfort, but we can’t risk losing 250 police officers and having fire stations shuttered and leaving our most vulnerable residents without the necessary social services to immediately help them and get on a path to improve their lives,” said Democratic Caucus Chair Pat Mulvihill (D-10). “We need to ensure that all our children have the opportunity for bright futures, and that is not possible if we close libraries, parks, and community centers.  Lastly, we need to protect our seniors, and closing senior centers and failing to provide programming for them is simply untenable.”

Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) said: “Our top priority is public safety and our number one responsibility is financial management. We ask the men and women of LMPD, Louisville Fire & Rescue, and EMS to put their lives in danger every day to keep us safe. It is our responsibility to make sure they have what they need to do so. We must invest in them and balance our budget at the same time. This is the first time in the history of our merged government that we have asked to increase our taxes. It’s time to invest.”

“Louisville is facing a serious budget challenge and difficult choices because of our increased state pension obligation, a challenge we’ve been discussing for over a year. I appreciate the sponsors of this measure for their focus on the problem at hand and their willingness to act decisively to address the problem. Our ability to build on our economic momentum is contingent upon being able to provide city services, like public safety, paved roads, accessible sidewalks, great parks, libraries, as well as the quality of life investments our competitor cities are making. We cannot let this pension obligation from the Kentucky Retirement System slow our momentum. As the Council now weighs this measure, I encourage all citizens to reach out to their Council representatives and urge them to prevent drastic cuts to city services and approve this revenue option. Our city’s continued momentum depends on it!” said Mayor Greg Fischer.

To be effective for FY20, the Council must approve the change and the city must file its intent to raise the tax by March 22.

Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) announces a new year of South Central Regional Forums will start on Wednesday, February 20th focusing on Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services.

“This is an important agency of government which handles everything from proposed zoning changes to neighborhood development plans in our city,” says Flood. “It can be complicated, and most people never get a chance to see the process that oversees, allows or disallows economic and residential land development.”

The forum is set for the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Representatives from Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services will be on hand to talk about the functions of their office and answer questions on a wide range of topics including the Land Development Code to how the Planning Commission operates.

“If you have ever wondered how zoning decisions are made or wanted to get involved with a zoning issue in your area, then I would recommend that you attend this forum,” says Flood.

The South Central Regional Forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council Members James Peden (R-23), Mark Fox (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).

For more information about this South Central Regional Forum, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.

Councilman Rick Blackwell is encouraging residents to come out for his first District 12 Dialogue of 2019 for a discussion about the upcoming budget for Louisville Metro and the proposed insurance premium tax increase.

“I want to give the people of District 12 a chance to learn about what Louisville Metro is dealing with as we face an increase in pension cost,” says Blackwell.  “The discussion centers around finding new revenues or cutting services to fulfill this obligation from Frankfort. Hearing from my constituents is important as this matter is considered by the Metro Council.”

Joining Councilman Blackwell will be Louisville Metro Budget Director Daniel Frockt.

February’s District 12 Dialogue will take place at the Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy beginning at 6:00 pm

Representatives from LMPD, MSD, and Code Enforcement will be in attendance to address specific concerns.

For more information about the February District 12 Dialogue, contact the District 12 Office at 502 – 574 – 1112 or liz.mcquillen@louisvilleky.gov for more information.

Councilwoman Donna Purvis is partnering with TARC to provide a free bus ride to anyone who is concerned about a Conditional Use Permit that has been requested for property at 4610 West Market Street.

The request will be heard before the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Monday, February 18th at 5:30pm at 517 West Jefferson Street.

“I am providing this TARC service because I want everyone to have a chance to go to this hearing and express their concerns about this permit,” says Councilwoman Purvis. “With this TARC bus, everyone will be able to focus on the meeting and not worry about finding a place to park downtown and walking.”

The bus will be located at French Plaza at Amy and Market Streets on Monday, February 18th. It will leave at 4:45pm in order to make it to the 5:30pm BOZA Hearing.

Councilwoman Purvis will be on the bus to listen to residents who have a concern.

“I promised the people of District 5 that I would make sure they have their voices heard in Metro Government,” says Purvis. “If you have a concern with this CUP come join us on Monday.”

If anyone would like to reserve a seat on the bus, then call Councilwoman Purvis’ Office at 574-1105. 

Louisville Metro Government has announced a new public art opportunity with the Commission on Public Art and as part of Lean Into Louisville. This opportunity called “Untold Stories in Public Spaces” will support projects that memorialize and/or celebrate narratives that have not yet been recognized through an artistic lens in Louisville’s public spaces.

The grant was announced at a press conference while unveiling one of Louisville’s newest pieces of public art, “Inspirations + Aspirations,” by artist Bryan Holden, a pair of mosaic-style panels using 12,000 computer keyboards keys that depict portraits of civil rights and community advocate Manfred Reid and a 9-year-old Wheatley Elementary student. The artwork is currently hanging on an exterior wall of New Directions Housing Corporations’ Russell Apartments and facing Muhammad Ali Boulevard between 17th and 18th Streets. The artwork was made possible through the Fran Heuttig Public Art Projects Series, funded by the Fund for the Arts and 1619 Flux: Art + Activism. Two murals by artist Braylyn Stewart that are part of the Series are also located at 18th and Muhammad Ali.

“Public art is vital to building a dynamic and equitable city for all residents and it should represent all residents,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Public art should also encourage dialogue which is exactly why this opportunity shares the same objective as Lean Into Louisville. I hope, through the new public art grant opportunity, we can explore narratives that have never been told in Louisville’s public spaces before, honor people whose accomplishments are not widely known and communities that are not heralded enough.” 

The current funding available for the “Untold Stories in Public Spaces” grant opportunity is $75,000, through the Louisville Public Space Art Fund. This opportunity is open to any 501c3 organization, working in partnership with an artist or group of artists. Available funding may be distributed over one or multiple projects. The application deadline is April 30.

The Louisville Public Space Art Fund was created as an implementation of the Louisville Public Art Master Plan, and is administered by the Commission on Public Art. The Fund is supported by fees contributed through private development, according to the Outdoor Amenity fee-in-lieu in the city’s Land Development Code.

In January, Fischer launched Lean Into Louisville, an unprecedented series of presentations, conversations, activities and art exhibits that will explore and confront the history and legacy of all forms of discrimination and inequality in the city and the country.

To submit an application and review the complete grant description for “Untold Stories in Public Spaces,” please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-art/public-art-grant-opportun…