While Gov. Andy Beshear is quick to take the credit for Kentucky’s record-setting economic development of the past few years, the fact is this growth has occurred despite his best efforts to stymie it with uncompetitive taxes and support of labor unionization in manufacturing. The credit should go to not only the Republican super majority in the legislature in Frankfort, but also to former Gov. Matt Bevin.
This would come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to the increase in business development and activity that are direct results of Bevin’s and the legislature’s reduction in income tax, in order for us to compete with neighboring pro-business states such as Tennessee, with no income tax, and Indiana and North Carolina, which give generous tax incentives and training funds to companies that locate and/or expand there.
Former Gov. Bevin and the GOP-led legislature also improved Kentucky’s business environment by cutting regulatory red tape and allowing new companies to start operations as right-to-work employers, not mandating union involvement as was done in the past under Democratic administrations and as Gov. Beshear would like to see.
—Matt DeCamillis, 40206
Agree or disagree? Submit a letter to the editor.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Matt Bevin, Republicans caused KY’s economic growth | Letters