KTIA Lobbyist and Other Leaders Comment on the Election

Post-Election Interview with Ellen Williams

Ellen Williams, a Principal with MML&K Government Solutions, is KTIA’s chief lobbyist. She is also a longtime observer and participant in Kentucky and national politics and government. Very few people share her vantage point of having a thorough understanding of both the Kentucky travel industry and the Frankfort political scene.  Therefore, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s election we thought it would beneficial to the industry to get Ellen’s take on the election and the upcoming session of the legislature. KTIA President & CEO Hank Phillips sat down with Ellen this morning following her participation in KET’s Election Night coverage. 

Additional post-election observations from other key leaders follow Ellen’s interview.

KTIA: Let’s go right to the heart of the matter.  What are the implications of Tuesday’s election for the Kentucky travel and tourism industry?

Ellen:  The implications, not just for travel and tourism, but also for the state will be evolving.  I think there is a lot of nervousness out there right now because there’s a new sheriff in town, as they say. He’s the second Republican in the last forty years and he’s coming in with a mandate of 90,000 votes. He’s coming in with his hands not tied. He’s not beholden to special interests.  He’s a fiscal conservative.  He’s a less government kind of guy. But he also knows that Kentucky’s beauty and other assets are a part of its marketing ability and a part of its prosperity and I think he believes we can take full advantage of that – to really maximize it.

So I think that the travel and tourism industry has huge opportunities, really huge opportunities, under Governor Bevin and I am really excited about it.  I can see him taking advantage of the natural beauty that we have and really from a businessman’s standpoint trying to figure what do you do.  How do you weave it all together? Maybe it’s not all state government marketing.  Maybe there’s some privatization that goes on to work with entities around the state, both business and governmental, to really think outside the box. It won’t happen over night, but I think that over time we’ll evolve into a much more aggressive marketing operation and I think that’s really great for our state and for our folks as they promote their regions of the state.

KTIA:  Are there any concerns that you think the industry should have in light of the change and transition?

Ellen:  I think they shouldn’t have concerns over the change.  I think they should embrace the change, because there was a mandate given to Governor-elect Bevin to lead the state. And so I think we need to look at it through a positive lens and I think we need to look at it as an opportunity to really move this state forward and for the industry to think about how they can pitch in and help.

We have some great opportunities in the next thirty days coming up with the inauguration and the parade and the swearing in, and we need to immediately be thinking about those things. As the tourism industry we could do a lot of things to promote andhighlight ourselves.  There are going to be tens of thousands of people coming to Frankfort to see this man and the Lieutenant Governor on December 8 and so that’s our first opportunity I see to play a role. 

Maybe I’m being a little pollyannaish, but I think we need to be his partners and involve the expertise of everyone across the state that’s in the tourism business. I think that your leadership - and I’m not saying this to blow smoke - I think that your leadership and the relationships you’ve built in the relatively short time you’ve been with KTIA can help a lot, and possibly with the transition itself.  I would encourage you and some of your folks in the industry to volunteer your time and your talents as the Bevin team sits down and tries to figure out how to put the tourism cabinet together. I think that’s a big opportunity.

KTIA:  Although KTIA’s 2016 Legislative Agenda is still evolving, currently it includes opposition to any sweeping of tourism marketing funds, opposition to a plan to allow up to 75% of restaurant tax monies to be taken from tourism commissions and given to city governments, and support for changes in the school calendar in order to lengthen the tourism season. What is your quick take on each of those issues?

Ellen:  I think the restaurant tax is a fairly easy one.  I don’t see Governor-elect Bevin supporting the expansion of a tax, which is what the KLC plan is calling for, in addition to shifting the monies from CVBs to city governments. Also, there is not a sentiment among legislators to enact a tax expansion.

On the tourism marketing funds when he spoke at the KTIA conference he said that sweeping of those funds – robbing Peter to pay Paul - is not the appropriate way to fund state government and to balance the budget.  I think we still need protect the funds, but I also think we need be sure that there is full access to the funds in the first place and to start thinking creatively about what we can do to maximize tourism marketing funds.  So, I think we are going to see someone who is a little more creative who will help us take more full advantage of the marketing dollars we do have.

On school calendar, that’s a wild card.  I know at the conference he declined to take a position, but he did express his personal opinion that schools start too early. If I had to guess I’d say that it wouldn’t be a priority for this session.  Its almost a disservice what our constitution does to new governors – elected on November 3, then  December 8 we swear them in and between November 3 and December 8 he needs to build his cabinet. From December 8 until the end of January he has to write a budget, he has to give a State of the Commonwealth address, and he has to figure out how to deal with the General Assembly.  In light of all that there are many issues that won’t get the attention that many people might want.

KTIA: On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you generally rate legislators’ understanding and appreciation of the importance of the tourism industry in Kentucky?

Ellen:  I’m always conservative so I would say a 4, but I think it is increasing.  I think the Tourism Subcommittee is starting to take hold.  I sat in a Local Government Committee meeting where the Kentucky League of Cities presented their legislative agenda and tried to make the case that convention & visitor bureaus didn’t deserve all the restaurant tax money that’s going into their coffers and that the legislature should re-consider that.  And with that Rep. Rita Smart, Co-Chair of the Tourism Subcommittee spoke up and really took them to task and talked about the importance of tourism.

KTIA:  During this lead up time to the session, if you could wave the magic wand and cause all KTIA members to do one thing, what would it be?

Ellen: Go see their legislator. Talk to them about the restaurant tax, preservation of tourism marketing funds and remove any limits on access to those funds so we maximize the sharing of Kentucky’s beauty with people from across the country.  And tell your local stories about the value of tourism.

With a second wave of the wand in KTIA’s direction, put together a contingent of tourism folks and let’s go see the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

KTIA: Any other observations?

Ellen: Taking a more global view, the way government runs in Kentucky is going to undergo a philosophical sea change.  It is a three-legged stool and Republicans have had one leg of the stool. Now they have a veto proof majority of Republicans in the Senate and a Republican governor. There is still a Democratic majority in the House.  Every vote will count and no one is going to dictate any policy up here. It’s going to be a collaboration.  I think everyone in the industry needs to be open-minded and really tune into the political and governmental process.

Other Observations

State Representative Rita Smart (D – Richmond), Co-Chair, Tourism Development Subcommittee   “I look forward to our continued efforts to promote the Travel and Tourism industry.  This is truly a economic development engine for our state and must be kept in the forefront with the necessary revenue to support it.”

Senator Chris Girdler (R – Somerset), Co-Chair, Tourism Development Subcommittee   “With every election comes an adjustment period and during that transition I plan on continuing to tout tourism as a major economic development tool for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In particular, with the upcoming legislative session being a budget year, I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the new administration as well as their legislators to help keep tourism on the forefront of everyone's mind in the process. I appreciate the support of the tourism industry with our new tourism development committee and pledge to continue to speak out on the importance of tourism to Kentucky.”

Secretary Bob Stewart, Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet “Gubernatorial transition is always a time of some uncertainty.  I know because I’ve been through several.  So we’ll have to wait and see how the new administration prioritizes tourism.  What I do know is that the tourism industry in this state is at an all time high in terms of its impact on Kentucky’s economy.  I also know that the professionals who work in Kentucky’s tourism industry are ready to make sure the Governor-elect knows how important this industry is and will extend a hand to work with him and his administration to keep tourism strong and moving forward.  I have no doubt about that whatsoever.”

Mary Quinn Ramer, KTIA Board Chair and President, VisitLEX “Tourism is a relationship business and we now need to put that skill to work with a new governor and his team.  We will be cooperative as we always are, and we look forward to new ideas and new opportunities.  Along the way, and irrespective of anything else, we will continue to be steadfast in standing up for tourism.”

Eric Summe, KTIA Legislative Committee Chair and President, meetNKY “We’ve heard Governor-elect Bevin say at our recent annual conference he understands the value of tourism and is supportive of our organization.  We look forward to advancing our dialogue with him as we work to strengthen our industry and position our state as a premiere visitor destination.”

Sara Osborne, MML&K Chief of Staff and KTIA Lobbying Team Member,  “I think everyone will immediately start to move their focus to the November 2016 House elections. That's is the next battleground. You could hear the "flip the house" chants at the Republican Party event last night and Speaker Stumbo came out swinging in his speech about protecting the House at the Democratic Party event. Any and all decisions made by either side on tourism and all other issues will be motivated in some way by that election.”

James Higdon, MML&K Associate and KTIA Lobbying Team Member, “Based upon Governor-elect Bevin's remarks at the KTIA conference and his acceptance speech, I am confident that he will view the state's tourism assets, in part, from a consumer perspective. As a transplant to Kentucky, he has been a tourist himself, and appears passionate about sharing those unique Kentucky experiences with others."