-Erik Lewis, Rowan County

Sustainable economic development is fundamentally linked to an economy that provides fair, equable opportunities and inclusive responsibilities for all people.

 To provide long-term economic prosperity for its citizens, Kentucky must make ample investment in the basic community components of lifelong education, up to date infrastructures, adequate social services and accessible healthcare. In order to meet these needs, Kentucky needs a tax system that will provide fair, consistent and sufficient sources of revenue.

Kentucky’s current economic development system relies primarily on tax incentives, 78% of which are in the form of loopholes that have become embedded in the tax code over the course many years. The remaining economic development plans are scattered over many departments and agencies. For more information and analysis on Kentucky’s current economic development approach see the High Road Initiative Resources page.

A primary source of funding and potential funding for improved economic development in eastern Kentucky is tied to the severance tax system, which is overdue for review, evaluation and reform.

For these and many more reasons, Kentucky’s tax, budget and economic development systems are in need of comprehensive reform. For more information on tax and budget reform see KFTC's Economic Justice page and KEJA. See the High Road Policy page for economic development reform.