What happens to regulations that become obsolete, or when different regulations conflict, or when a regulation simply is not needed anymore? Currently, the answer is nothing.
Governor Bevin has launched a new initiative entitled “Red Tape Reduction.” This initiative is an effort to attack the problem of excessive or unnecessary state government regulations.
On July 6, the governor’s office reported that more than 4,500 state regulations exist in our Commonwealth. Only 15 to 20 percent of those regulations have ever been reviewed for effectiveness or ongoing need.
The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Governor Bevin’s Red Tape Reduction program because “red tape” concerns are frequently heard from Chamber members. In fact, in the last membership survey, excessive regulation was the second most pressing concern and impediment to doing business (right after workforce development). “The members impacted are across the board. Small businesses, large corporations, utilities, education, agriculture…all sectors of our membership report this as an impediment,” says Chamber CEO and President, Candance Castlen Brake.
As a business owner, Governor Bevin says he understands firsthand how difficult it can be for a new or growing business to be aware of, understand, and comply with every government regulation.
“Any person who has dealt with government at any level, may well have come across a regulation that just doesn’t seem to make sense. So, I invite all Kentuckians to contact us with their thoughts and ideas. We need all hands on deck to reduce the amount of government red tape in the Commonwealth.” – Governor Matt Bevin
While many regulations are necessary to protect the people of our Commonwealth and to promote economic stability, outdated or excessive unnecessary regulations increase the cost of operating and doing business, which ultimately hurts our community’s economic growth.
“These costs all get passed through to the consumer,” Governor Bevin said in a release about the Red Tape Reduction initiative. “I constantly hear from business owners that confusing government mandates and red tape are huge challenges for them. This suffocating red tape is a problem that must be fixed and, with the help of all Kentuckians, we intend to do just that.”
Why Reduce Red Tape?
Eliminating outdated and unnecessary regulations, associated rules, and laws will help:
- spur job creation and investment
- change the attitude of government from regulation makers to regulation managers (Customer Service)
- and therefore help the general public because excessive regulation drives up the cost of the goods consumers buy
The Process:
The governor has already instructed cabinet secretaries to start a review of all government regulations currently on the books. He is also asking all state employees, including those who enforce these regulations, to offer suggestions for improvement.
How to report:
The official website of the initiative is redtapereduction.com. A key feature of the website is the “Report a Regulation” form where the public can identify burdensome regulations and offer suggestions for improvement.
Kentuckians are urged to visit the website, click on “Report a Regulation,” fill in the online form boxes, and hit “submit.”
Former Owensboro mayor and current Kentucky Chamber President, David Adkisson, called the initiative “a long time coming.”
“I, on behalf of Kentucky businesses, could not be more pleased that this is taking place,” said Adkisson. “I, Governor Bevin, and our members will take an active role in identifying outdated or cumbersome regulations.”
Brake says the Red Tape Reduction initiative is an excellent opportunity to be heard. “The governor has asked for our help gathering input from not only business leaders but from all Kentucky citizens.”
Photo by Jason Tanner. Jigna Wilson – Wilson Family Pharmacy (L), Adam Hancock – Riney Hancock CPAs (C), and Leigh Ann Kuegel, Kentucky Farm Bureau.
