The General Assembly enacted the KJRA in 2007 as the primary tool in an incentive package that helped secure a $1.2 billion investment from Ford Motor Company to upgrade production capability at its two existing plants in Louisville.  Ford now estimates that it may hire up to 3,000 new employees as a result of that legislation.

“The legislation we passed in 2007 bore fruit immediately when the incentives authorized in the act persuaded Ford to make significant investments and create thousands of new jobs at its Louisville plants,” said Clark.  “House Bill 400 could do the same thing for Toyota and Georgetown and hopefully for the GM plant in Bowling Green too.  The commercial and industrial activity that results from new investments made at any of Kentucky’s auto manufacturers has a ripple effect throughout the entire state.”

House Bill 400 amends the KJRA by allowing projects related to automobile and parts manufacturing to seek incentives regardless of their location around the state.  Current law limits the act to projects located only in cities of the first class.  To qualify under both existing law and House Bill 400, proposed projects must have at least 1,000 full time employees and invest at least $100 million.

Manufacturers of batteries and other automotive parts will be authorized to seek incentives under the amendment, provided they satisfy jobs targets and minimum investment requirements.  The legislation will not have a fiscal impact to the state budget over the upcoming 2013-2014 biennium.

Larry Clark has represented the 46^th Legislative District in southern Jefferson County since 1984.  He has served the House as its Speaker Pro Tem since 1993.  Clark has maintained a 100% voting record throughout his 28 year career in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Click here to read Larry’s clean campaign pledge.

WAVE TV coverage of testimony from TAPP students

(WAVE) -In Jefferson County there are young women who have been through things that many people can’t imagine before they turn 18. These young women aren’t just responsible for themselves, they are mothers. With the help of a program that’s gained national attention, many are getting a second chance.

Dozens of students and administrators with the Teenage Parent Program known as TAPP went to Frankfort to thank legislators for past grants and ask them to continue funding the Smart Grant.

“I thought my whole world revolved around me being a victim,” said Laighla Travis, a junior at South Park TAPP. ”I never thought about being free from fear or pain or never considered a future or attempted to hope for a future.”

Travis testified to lawmakers that a family member sexually abused her for 13 years.

“When I turned 14 I found myself in yet another abusive relationship,” said Travis. “Everyday I was brutally beaten by my boyfriend.”

She became pregnant with his baby when she was just 14 years old.

“Once when I was eight months pregnant, I was punched in the face and my cheek bones broken, leaving me not only with physical scars but adding to the emotional ones as well,” described Travis.

Travis is now 17. She enrolled in JCPS’s Teenage Parent Program, known as TAPP, and things have changed for her.

“Immediately they were on my side,” said Travis. “They were there for me. TAPP was a safe place for me, a place that protected me from the cold world I had once called my life.

Rep. Larry Clark, D-Louisville, invited 40 of TAPP’s best students to Frankfort to speak to the House Budget Committee. Representatives asked lawmakers to consider reissuing the Smart Grant. TAPP first got it in 2008 and has received about $250,000 each year. It focuses on math, science, and technology.

“Over the past eight years, 784 seniors have graduated from TAPP and 512 enrolled in college,” said TAPP Principal Sara York. ”That’s pretty impressive for a group of students who statistically should have dropped out.”

Instead these girls are working to be role models for their kids.

“I would have become another statistic, a high school drop out,” said Chasta May, a senior at Westport TAPP who is planning on attending the University of Louisville. “I will now make my own path and become a college graduate.”

Travis has one more year in high school.

“I am no longer nothing,” said Travis. “I am Laighla Travis, a 17-year-old loving mother of my baby boy Adian, and with Smart’s help, a future college graduate.”

Funding the Smart Grant is just one piece of the budget that starts in the House. It will fund state government for two years. No decision was made on Smart Funding, but all lawmakers who spoke reacted positively.

Click here to watch the WAVE TV news coverage.

 FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 6, 2012) – The Commonwealth of Kentucky and Ford Motor Co. have earned the distinction of being named 2011 Economic Development Deal of the Year by national magazine Business Facilities. The project, which was selected by a judging panel of industry experts, emerged as the winner in a competitive field of 23 other big-ticket projects from across the U.S.

“It is incredibly exciting and rewarding to be recognized as having the 2011 Economic Development Deal of the Year,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “Our strategic effort to secure Ford’s long-term investment in Kentucky and its workers was a win-win situation for all, resulting in $1.2 billion in new investment and 3,100 new jobs announced within 10 months’ time.”

The Governor said the recognition is due to the hard work and dedication of many local, state and business leaders. “We know that these kinds of commitments don’t just happen. They are the result of ongoing relationships, cooperation and forward thinking. Kentucky is proud to be the home of two Ford assembly plants and appreciates being given this honor by Business Facilities magazine.”

“Our judges really were impressed by the creative use of incentives in this project,” Business Facilities Editor-in-Chief Jack Rogers said. “The incentive package for the Kentucky-Ford Partnership was structured in a way that it could be renegotiated to induce additional investments made at either of Ford’s plants in Louisville, giving the state more flexibility to negotiate.”

Ford announced in late 2010 an investment of $600 million to transform the company’s Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP) into the company’s most flexible high-volume plant in the world – resulting in a second shift and 1,800 new jobs at the plant. In the fall of 2011, Ford announced a new contract, which workers ratified, that will bring a third shift and another 1,300 jobs to LAP, raising the total new-job count to 3,100.

The contract also secured a separate, $600 million investment at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) to include a new stamping press. The KTP investment will allow for modernization of tooling for the next generation F-Series Super Duty trucks and the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.

“Gov. Beshear and his economic development team, working together with industry and community partners, created a business case that allows Ford to continue to invest and grow in Kentucky,” said Ford Vice President for North American Manufacturing Jim Tetreault. “A strong government/industry partnership is a critical advantage in today’s globally competitive environment.”

Over the years, Ford’s Kentucky plants have produced some of the world’s most popular vehicles, including the Ford LTD, Ranger, Bronco II, Explorer, F-series Super Duty pickup trucks and Lincoln Navigator. But as Ford and the rest of the auto industry hit hard times, the labor force dwindled, and the plants, especially Louisville Assembly, grew more obsolete, said Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes.

For the first time in a long time, Ford’s future in Kentucky was in doubt, Hayes said.

The Cabinet began working with Ford and the state legislature to take action. The result was a new incentive program in 2007 called the Kentucky Jobs Retention Act (KJRA).

The incentive package was structured in a way that it could be renegotiated to induce additional investments made at either Ford plants in Louisville – giving the state more flexibility to negotiate and giving Ford more reason to make long-term investments in the Commonwealth, Hayes said, adding that the program contains mechanisms to protect the state’s interest.

An economic impact study performed by the Cabinet shows the direct annual economic impact of Ford’s new full-time jobs on the state’s GDP will be approximately $798 million. Indirect and induced jobs will add more than $1.2 billion more. 

“The Ford deal has been among the most positive economic developments in any city in America in 2011, and it’s nice that others are also recognizing that,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.

“I am pleased that Ford, the United Auto Workers and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are getting deserved recognition for this project,” said Rep. Larry Clark, of Louisville. “This investment will allow Ford to modernize its Louisville production facilities and create thousands of new jobs. None of this would have happened without cooperation between the company and the United Auto Workers. I applaud both the company and the union for their efforts, and I look forward to a great partnership between them and the Commonwealth that will yield significant economic benefit for generations to come.”

“This is a very exciting announcement that recognizes another chapter in a strong and successful partnership between Ford Motor Company, the UAW, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Cabinet and Louisville Metro Government,” said Eileen Pickett, executive vice president of community and economic development at Greater Louisville Inc. – the Metro Chamber of Commerce. “This reinvestment further solidifies Louisville’s reputation as a flourishing center for advanced manufacturing on an international scale.”

Business Facilities will feature the Kentucky-Ford partnership as the cover story in its January/February issue.  The story is featured on its website at http://businessfacilities.com/news/kentucky-sc-arizona-shine-in-business-facilities-awards-contest.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky.

Legislation will bring in revenue from Internet wagering -

Advance deposit account wagering companies (“ADW companies”), such as TVG, Xpress Bet or TwinSpires.com, allow individuals to establish accounts from which they may place wagers on horse races run in Kentucky and around the country.

This tax of one-half of one percent (0.05%) of funds wagered by Kentucky residents will be paid by licensed advance deposit account wagering companies, with 15% of the resulting revenue paid to Kentucky’s general fund and the remainder to Kentucky racetracks.  The tracks, in turn, must devote at least 50% of their distribution to purses.  There will be no increase in fees or taxes to customers of ADW companies.

“ADW handle is the only portion of horse race wagering that is seeing significant growth,” said Clark.  “We are trying to do two things with this bill:  First, identify how much money ADW companies are accepting in wagers from Kentuckians who, 10 or 20 years ago, would have gone to the track instead of wagering from their computers; and second, place a modest tax on that revenue base to put back into purses.”

Kentucky’s racing industry faces competitive pressure from other states that support purses, as well as breeder incentive funds, with extra revenue derived from operation of slot machines.  Indiana, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania are primary examples.  The projected extra revenue to be derived from imposition of the ADW tax in HB 229 will boost purses.

“Even though the ADW issue is related to the issue of gaming generally, we as a legislature can still pass this bill to target one particular problem area without affecting the gaming debate,” Clark said.  “Gaming will receive its due consideration this session, but I think it is important that we pass this bill independent of that debate.”

Clark represents the 46^th District in southern Jefferson County and has served in that position since 1984.  He also serves as House Speaker Pro Tempore, a House leadership position he has held since 1993, and continues to maintain a 100% voting record.  Larry Clark has sponsored legislation for job creation, economic development and education, and he has been a supporter of seniors and veterans. For more information, visit www.KeepLarryClark.com.

Frankfort, KY—

 In addition to his service as a state representative, Larry Clark has held the position of Speaker Pro Tem in the House of Representatives for 20 years.  Rep. Clark has been a tireless advocate for seniors and the disadvantaged, as well as a strong voice for working men and women and for sound fiscal economic policies.  During several gubernatorial administrations, Larry Clark has been the “go-to” guy on education reform, economic oversight and most recently received bi-partisan support for his economic incentive review legislation that passed in 2011.

 “During these tough economic times, experience counts,” says Larry Clark.  “Our number one focus during this upcoming legislative session will be on jobs and the economy.  Education goes hand in hand with growing our economy.”

During each of his campaigns for re-election, Larry Clark has taken his own clean campaign pledge and has never engaged in negative attacks against his opponents.  “We live in a democratic society and it is a person’s right to run for public office,” says Clark.  “I continue my promise to the voters to run an honorable and clean campaign that is worthy of re-election.”  For more information, visit www.KeepLarryClark.com.

]]> http://keeplarryclark.com/2012/01/05/rep-larry-clark-files-for-re-election/feed/ 0 http://keeplarryclark.com/2011/12/15/rep-clark-visits-tapp-school/ http://keeplarryclark.com/2011/12/15/rep-clark-visits-tapp-school/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:55:24 +0000 Kathy Groob http://larryclark.novemberstrategies.com/?p=863

Larry Clark with former and current TAPP students

Thirty-four years ago, a woman named Georgia Chaffee started the TAPP Program (TeenAge Parent Program) in Louisville.  TAPP operates two schools for young women who become mothers while still in high school.  Ms. Chaffee saw how high the dropout rate was for these girls, and she did not believe they should suffer diminished educational opportunities simply because they were faced with these difficult circumstances.

Rep. Clark invites the young women of the TAPP program to visit Frankfort during the legislative session

Clark’s interest in the TAPP students began several years ago.  Each year during the Christmas holidays, Clark’s Catholic Parish, St. Athanasius, delivers gifts to the TAPP students and their children.  In 2007, Rep. Clark helped deliver these gifts.  He visited the TAPP School and learned that a federal grant supporting the school was due to expire.  (That grant was called “SMART”, for “Science, Math and the Right Technology”.) The SMART Program was created to motivate students with special mentoring, site visits to potential employers, and college campus visits.   Results monitoring had demonstrated higher CATS scores, better attendance and overall higher levels of achievement among the TAPP students, whose efforts were funded in large part by the SMART grant.

Rep. Clark with Dr. Donna Hargens and TAPP students

During the 2008 Legislative Session, at the urging of Rep. Clark, the TAPP students came to Frankfort, where three of them testified before the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee about the importance of TAPP and the SMART Program, and the impact of both programs on their lives.

Thanks to Larry Clark and some help from those TAPP students, $500,000 in state funding was secured to replace the SMART grant and continue support for the program.  Rep. Clark was later able to secure similar funding in the 2010 budget for TAPP.  These resources give these students an opportunity to succeed in their education.  Rep. Clark likes to say that this relatively modest investment positively impacts at least two generations because it improves the prospects of both the mothers and their children.

When completed, the road will serve to connect both sides of the park without having to travel outside of the park.

(Louisville, KY) – Transit Authority of River City (TARC) passengers can now use an online tool that makes planning a trip easier than ever.

TARC has joined the Google Transit partnership program, a network that provides bus routing and stop data in more than 400 cities across the globe.

Through the program, anyone searching the popular Google Maps (maps.google.com) site for directions in Greater Louisville can plan a trip on TARC.  By choosing the public transit option and entering desired travel times and locations, passengers are provided step-by-step directions on TARC for their specific trips.

Mobile users can use the free Google Maps for mobile application available from http://m.google.com/maps or by visitinghttp://maps.google.com in the phone’s browser.

“TARC is always working to make public transportation a more convenient option and Google Maps provides a simple, quick way to get TARC trip information. Our customers are going to enjoy using this, and we encourage people to try it out,” said J. Barry Barker, TARC Executive Director.

With Google Maps, names of businesses and landmarks can be entered instead of specific addresses in order to obtain routing directions to your destination. Passengers are provided estimate travel times and walking directions to the nearest TARC stop.  Other features on Google Maps include Street View images of locations, satellite imagery, and support for 40 different languages and compatibility with screen readers for visually impaired users.

“The Google Transit program simplifies the use of public transportation for Louisville residents and visitors to our city,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said. “It is a great innovation and one more piece of the puzzle in building a stronger public transportation system.”

There is no cost to TARC for its participation in Google Transit.

“As part of Google’s commitment to develop useful public-private partnerships, we are pleased to welcome TARC to Google Transit,” said Ryan Poscharsky, Strategic Partner Manager at Google. “This partnership shows TARC’s commitment to innovating, serving their riders and attracting new riders.”

TARC will feature a link to the Google trip planner on its website, www.ridetarc.org.  TARC also will still offer its own Trip Planner on the TARC web site.

Additional information:

• Transit Authority of River City
  http://www.ridetarc.org
• Google Transit
  http://www.google.com/transit
• How To Use Google Transit
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN0MljOP1Gg