Legislators, Chamber officials talk priorities for upcoming General Assembly session

We’re just about one month out from when legislators will convene in Frankfort for the 2026 session of the Kentucky General Assembly—and Chambers of Commerce across the state are preparing their legislative priorities in advance.

That was the focus of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s eye-opener legislative update breakfast Tuesday morning, where they heard not only from state representatives Myron Dossett and Walker Thomas, along with Senator Craig Richardson, but also from Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts.

Watts is no stranger to Christian County, and she bragged on locals’ ability to champion a cause in Frankfort and Washington D.C., highlighting local pushes for infrastructure work and lowering the state income tax. Watts says the Chamber will continue to be focused on tax reform, not just lowering that tax, but working to keep other taxes low.

She says they’re expecting a lot from this session, as it is a budget session, and they want to see education, healthcare and housing at the top of priority list. Watts says if you address childcare issues in the state, then you would also address a lot of workforce issues—so they’ll be advocating for that issue to be taken up in Frankfort.

She asked questions about those priorities and more to the three legislators, who all highlighted their goals and first-up items once the General Assembly convenes. On the matter of the Pre-K for All initiative being pushed by the governor’s office, Representative Dossett says he’s not sure it would be logistically or financially possible, and he’d like to see more work being done to build up existing childcare facilities.

Mark Cansler is the Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee in Christian County and says the local Chamber will be pushing for tax reform, strengthening ties to Fort Campbell and gaining funding for more infrastructure and road projects.

Christian County Chamber President and CEO Taylor Hayes says things are changing and evolving in Christian County, and they’re working to be prepared to meet the challenge and pave the way for success not just for businesses, but the individuals living in this community.