You Decide, Kentucky! would like to congratulate Southgate Mayor Jim Hamberg on a successful term as 2022-2023 President of the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC).  Mayor Hamberg has been a strong advocate for modernizing local revenue streams so city and county government can have the funds they need to provide the services their communities require to thrive and grow.  Mayor Hamberg shared these words with the other KLC members and the YDK! team as his term as President ends:

“As the grassroots effort to provide open conversation and education on local taxation efforts, the You Decide, Kentucky! (YDK!) initiative is important for the Commonwealth so that taxpayers encourage our legislators to completely review the current tax code and structure. 

Through my travels across our Commonwealth while serving as the [immediate past] President of the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC), I have seen much disparity within present taxing system as it relates to a local economy. Most of our communities’ local revenues are sent to Frankfort, with only a small percentage returning to the local taxing authority where the original taxing took place. Having diversified revenue streams, such as a restaurant or sales tax, would directly provide additional resource funding for tourism and other needs within a local community. 

I support the efforts of YDK!, as does the KLC Board of Directors. I am confident that, led by the efforts of Executive Director Lena Muldoon, the YDK! Board of Directors and the citizens of our Commonwealth will be successful in amending Section 181 of our state constitution when the measure is placed on Kentucky voters ’ ballots. Doing so will provide our citizens with the opportunity to have a stronger impact for a better quality of life within their local community and allow for local empowerment in how accumulated tax dollars would be used. 

Thank you for your consideration and support!” 

We thank Maor Hamberg for his support and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with KLC under the leadership of it’s new President, Auburn Mayor Mike Hughes.