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SubscribeToday, Gov. Matt Bevin’s executive order reorganizing the former seven-person Workers’ Compensation Nominating Commission, which resulted in a five-member board with all new members, was upheld by the Franklin Circuit Court. This decision further supports that the Governor has the legal authority to reorganize executive boards.
“Today’s court order is welcome news, as Kentuckians were really beginning to feel the pain of not being able to move forward with their workers’ comp claims,” said Communications Director Amanda Stamper. “This order will allow the newly formed Workers’ Compensation Nominating Committee to proceed to meet and make its nominations so Gov. Bevin may begin appointing administrative law judges to fill positions that have been vacant for far too long.”
In June, the Governor’s Office determined that greater efficiency and improved administration would be achieved by streamlining and condensing the organizational structure of the Workers’ Compensation Nominating Commission.
The Kentucky Arts Council, with the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, launched the 2016 “Give a Gift Made in Kentucky” campaign today. The campaign, which features a variety of work by Kentucky-based artists, will run through Dec. 31.
Artists in Kentucky Arts Council’s Kentucky Crafted, Architectural Artists and Performing Artists directories as well as Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship recipients will feature their studios, galleries and shops for holiday open houses and other events showcasing their work. In addition, the Give a Gift Web pages will feature holiday events from the arts council’s Kentucky Arts Partnership organizations. These events will run through the entire “Give a Gift” campaign, and are located throughout the state.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, where visitors can purchase fine Kentucky-made products from more than 700 Kentucky artisans year-round, has a busy schedule of artist demonstrations, book signings, musical performances and more throughout the holiday season.
Shoppers interested in purchasing Kentucky-made items can visit more than 20 businesses designated as Kentucky Crafted Retailers. These businesses carry items from Kentucky artists, including those in the arts council’s Kentucky Crafted program, Architectural Artists Directory and Performing Arts Directory. Many retailers have special events, promotions and discounts throughout the holiday season.
For more information on “Give a Gift,” contact Tom Musgrave, arts council communications director, at 502-892-3122 or tomr.musgrave@ky.gov; or Gwen Heffner, artisan center information specialist, at 859-985-5448, ext. 230 or gwen.heffner@ky.gov.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arts council is celebrating 50 years of service in 2016.
Responding to new contracts for its vehicle hose assemblies, Yokohama Industries Americas Inc. plans to hire 134 full-time employees and invest $5.2 million in new equipment at its plant in Versailles, Gov. Matt Bevin announced today.
“This expansion by Yokohama and the new employment it will create further strengthens the Commonwealth’s 
automotive industry. This is a great day for Kentucky,” Gov. Bevin said. “We are grateful for Yokohama’s increased investment in Kentucky and look forward to their continued success.”
The project will add two new production lines at Yokohama’s Hose Division plant at 105 Industry Drive. The facility currently employs about 300 people producing and distributing hose assemblies for vehicle air conditioning, power steering and transmission oil cooler systems.
“Yokohama Industries Americas Inc. appreciates the great support provided by Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development, the City of Versailles and Woodford County. Yokohama is very pleased to work with strong government team focused on expanding the automotive business in Kentucky and creating new jobs in the region,” said company President Yasu Tajima.
Yokohama Industries America is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., which was founded in 1917 as a joint venture between Yokohama Cable Manufacturing and B.F. Goodrich Co. The Versailles facility, one of two Yokohama plants in the city, opened in 1989.
Sen. Julian Carroll, of Frankfort, said the region’s many assets will continue to make the Yokohama plant a success.
“Congratulations to Yokohama on its upcoming expansion. Versailles, Woodford County, and the surrounding region welcome the growth that will be generated and stand ready with a skilled workforce to meet any future needs,” Sen. Carroll said.
Rep. James Kay, of Versailles, said community members are proud to have Yokohama as part of the business community and Woodford County family.
“Yokohama’s decision to expand in our community is further proof that Woodford County is open for business,” Rep. Kay said. “Our people are our biggest asset and I am pleased that Yokohama recognizes our valuable workforce and is willing to invest and create more jobs in Versailles. Woodford County is an ideal place to do business. I’m proud to help grow new jobs and build our economy as we attract new business and industry to our community while helping those already here grow and thrive.”
Woodford County Judge-Executive John Coyle praised Yokohama for its expansion and ongoing commitment.
“Yokohama has long been an important part of our corporate family and we are delighted to assist them with this latest expansion,” Judge Coyle said. “Their expansion represents approximately $5 million and 134 new jobs for Woodford County. We want to thank the State of Kentucky’s Economic Development Cabinet and Woodford EDA for their hard work but most of all, Yokohama for their continued confidence in our community and its workforce.”
Versailles Mayor Brian Traugott expressed gratitude for Yokohama’s decision to expand its operations in Versailles.
“This company has been a great corporate citizen over the years,” Mayor Traugott said. “Their decision to invest more speaks volumes about all that our community has to offer and the workforce we have. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this possible.”
Yokohama can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Last year, the Kentucky Skills Network trained more than 84,000 employees from more than 5,600 Kentucky companies.
Gov. Matt Bevin today cited the results of a study proving there has been dramatic growth in the number and reach of administrative regulations in Kentucky, many of which are unnecessary or outdated.
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University reports that the Kentucky regulatory code, published as the Kentucky Administrative Regulations Service (KARS) grew from a total of four books in 1975 to 14 books in 2015, an increase of 250 percent. In 2015, the regulatory code contained 6.6 million words and 129,575 restrictions.
“The most recent Mercatus Report shows that Kentucky continues to be one of the most highly regulated states in America,” said Gov. Bevin. “Many of these regulations are outdated, redundant or simply unnecessary. We are suffocating economic growth and production in the Commonwealth for no constructive reason. This report reaffirms why our Red Tape Reduction Initiative is so important. We encourage all Kentuckians to go to RedTapeReduction.com and tell us how we can simplify the process for doing business in Kentucky.”
According to the Mercatus study, the chemical manufacturing industry in Kentucky faces the most administrative restrictions, with nearly 4,200. Animal production and aquaculture is second, with more than 4,100; followed by ambulatory health care services, with 3,500; food manufacturing, with 3,250; and nursing and residential care facilities, with almost 2,400.
Gov. Bevin announced the Red Tape Reduction Initiative in July, with the goal of cutting through the red tape of excessive and complex regulatory burdens. By reducing the amount of bureaucracy affecting Kentucky businesses, the Commonwealth can lift unreasonable hardship off the shoulders of Kentucky’s business community.
Gov. Bevin first began the process by instructing cabinet secretaries to start a thorough review of all government regulations currently on the books, then extended the invitation to businesses and employees throughout the state. Since July, www.RedTapeReduction.com, the site where people are instructed to submit regulations, has received some 14,000 visits, and 500+ suggestions have been received and are being evaluated.
The report from Mercatus can be accessed at http://mercatus.org/publication/kentucky-regulation-2015.
For more information on the initiative or to submit a suggestion on a regulation that should be reviewed, please visit www.RedTapeReduction.com.
Newly created bond fund to modernize facilities, better equip Kentucky’s workforce
Gov. Matt Bevin and Education and Workforce Development Secretary Hal Heiner today announced the launch of the Kentucky Work Ready Skills Initiative. This new $100 million statewide bond program is aimed at developing a highly trained, modernized workforce in the Commonwealth to meet the needs of employers and promote sustainable incomes for Kentuckians.
“As I travel the state, I hear repeatedly from employers about the shortage of workers with the skills needed to get the job done,” said Gov. Bevin. “Making this problem worse, is the fact that Kentucky’s workforce as a percent of its population is currently one of the smallest in the nation.
“We must work diligently to be more economically competitive and create more jobs. We intend to make Kentucky the manufacturing and logistical center of excellence in America. This will start with having the most highly skilled and well trained workforce in the country. To accomplish this, we will better align our education systems and our workforce needs. This is exactly why we have created the Work Ready Skills Initiative.”
This bond fund infuses resources to expand career and technical education facilities and to upgrade equipment in those schools to current and future industry standards through local partnerships between private industry and educational institutions. The locally driven initiatives will train and educate workers to meet the workforce needs of Kentucky’s employers now and in the future.
“The Work Ready Skills Initiative will bring industry together in partnership with educational institutions like KCTCS (Kentucky Community and Technical College System) to propose workforce training projects that lead straight to jobs,” said Sec. Heiner. “Proposals will be detailed and require industry to come together with the regional community and provide a local source of funds to match the state’s investment.”
The initiative was passed and funded by the General Assembly in the recent biennial budget and will be administered by the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet with support from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Proposals will require at least 10 percent match by local partners. Applications will support locally developed projects that include the participation of a private employer, educational agency and other interested local and regional partners, so that the plan is tailored to the workforce and industry needs of the area. Continue reading
Governor Matt Bevin, after months of talking with University of Louisville President James Ramsey, issued an executive order that dismissed the UofL Board of Trustees that were appointed. The members that were elected by students and faculty will remain. Governor Bevin will appoint a three-member team to serve for two weeks until the new board can be appointed.
The new board will consist of 13 members; 10 of which will be appointed by the Governor. Along with the dismantling of the board, President Ramsey also submitted a letter of resignation to the Governor, which will take effect as soon as the new board is appointed.
The order comes after multiple scandals at the university: the basketball-escort scandal, the dean at the school of education being indicted for defrauding the university, an FBI probe into misuse of federal grant money and a state audit into the relationship between the UofL Foundation and the Board of Trustees.
