Is Right-to-Work Wrong For Kentucky?

Upcoming Lexington Forum Events

The Lexington Forum Presents

”Is Right-to-Work Wrong For Kentucky?”

Right-to-Work laws have long been championed as tools for creating new jobs and economic growth. The laws opponents contend they are simply aimed at diminishing the power and influence of labor unions, drive down wages and benefits, and create a “free rider” program. Join the Lexington Forum on Thursday, March 1 for a Right-to-Work debate between local attorney Richard F. Dawahare and businessman Warren Rogers. Each side will present their case and then take audience questions.


Where: Hillary J. Boone Center, UK Campus
When: Thursday, March 1, 2012
7:15am: Coffee & Networking
7:30-8:30am: Breakfast & Program


To ensure adequate seating and food availability please RSVP using the link below no later than Tuesday, February 28th at noon.

Free to Forum members who have paid their 2011-2012 Dues.
Guests are welcome: $20/guest.

RSVP NOW

Lexington Forum Presents: “Tear Down The Winchester Wall!”

Upcoming Lexington Forum Events

The Lexington Forum Presents

”Tear Down the Winchester Wall!”

“Tear Down the Winchester Wall!” You hear the refrain often these days from region-minded local officials in the towns along the I-64 corridor, east of Lexington. It’s about the perception that to people in Lexington, “the world ends at Winchester.”

But as participants on the most recent Commerce Lexington regional tour discovered, there are reasons -and they are many- to pay close attention to developments in Mt. Sterling, Morehead, Ashland, Maysville and points between.

For example, are you aware of the almost $100 million expansion and improvement of infrastructure and services at Morehead State University? Did you know that MSU actually houses a state-of-the art Space Science Center, operates five regional campuses, or that the university, in partnership with UK Healthcare, sees 97 percent of its pre-med graduates accepted into medical schools around the nation?

Offering 143 undergraduate degree programs, Morehead State was recognized for the eighth consecutive year as one of the top public universities in the South in the 2011 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S.News & World Report.

Our guest speaker for the Feb. 3 Lexington Forum breakfast: Morehead State University President Wayne D. Andrews.


Where: Hillary J. Boone Center, UK Campus
When: Thursday, February 2, 2012
7:15am: Coffee & Networking
7:30-8:30am: Breakfast & Program


To ensure adequate seating and food availability please RSVP using the link below no later than Tuesday, January 31st at noon.

Free to Forum members who have paid their 2011-2012 Dues.
Guests are welcome: $20/guest.

RSVP NOW

Lexington Forum Presents: Prescription Pill Abuse in KY

Upcoming Lexington Forum Events

The Lexington Forum Presents

Prescription Pill Abuse in KY

Non-medical use or abuse of prescription drugs is the fastest- growing drug problem in the United States, according to Office of National Drug Control Policy. In Kentucky, prescription drug overdoses have doubled over the past decade and now surpass traffic accidents as the leading cause of accidental death.


“Prescription pill abuse isn’t happening on street corners or in back alleys,” said Van Ingram, Executive Director of Kentucky’s Office of Drug Control Policy. “It’s starting at home in the medicine cabinet. Parents need to remember to monitor and secure their prescriptions and safely dispose of any medications that are no longer needed.”


Mr. Ingram will detail the scope and urgency of the prescription pill abuse issue in Kentucky,as well as pending related legislation at the January 5, Lexington Forum breakfast meeting.


Where: Hillary J. Boone Center, UK Campus
When: Thursday, January 5, 2011
7:15am: Coffee & Networking
7:30-8:30am: Breakfast & Program


To ensure adequate seating and food availability please RSVP using the link below no later than Tuesday, January 3rd at noon.

Free to Forum members who have paid their 2011-2012 Dues.
Guests are welcome: $20/guest.

RSVP NOW

Feb 08, 2011- UK Chair Lays Out Search Plan & Rupp Thoughts at Forum

Lexington Forum, February 8, 2011 Featured Speaker: UK’s new Board of Trustees Chairman, Britt Brockman Dr. Brockman, a Louisville ophthalmologist, is overseeing the university’s passage through major changes and challenges, ranging from the search for a successor to UK President Lee Todd to persuading Kentucky legislators to grant the university more autonomy in how it addresses endless infrastructure needs. And hardly insignificant is the University’s position on the matter of a new or renovated Rupp Arena. Dr. Brockman generously shared his remarks with Business Lexington so that you might bring yourself up to speed on what is happening at the top at the University of Kentucky. To view this transcript please Click here and visit our corporate member Business Lexington

Jan 25, 2011 – Downtown development a focus of Mayor Gray’s first State of the Merged Government Address

Lexington Forum, January 25, 2011 Featured Speaker: Mayor Jim Gray On his 24th day in office, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray today signaled his intentions to champion his notion of a vibrant downtown as “the industrial park of the 21st century,” touching on some of the city’s hottest development topics in the first State of the Merged Government Address of his young administration. Click here to read the rest of this article as it appeared in the January issue of Business Lexington

Discussing the Economic Development Impact of a Downtown Entertainment District

Lexington Forum, February 7, 2008 Featured Speakers: Anthony Wright, Budget Director, LFUCG; Jim Gray, Vice-Mayor; Tom Martin, Editor, Business Lexington How does Lexington attract and keep more young, well-educated talent in the years to come?  One answer is to create a more vibrant after-hours entertainment mix.  Get the full story on the activities of the the recently-created Downtown Entertainment Development Task Force.  Click here to read the full review of this meeting from the February 22nd issue of Business Lexington. Or, click on the link below to download a podcast of the meeting: Link to podcast

Getting an Inside Look at the Long-Term Costs and Effects of the EPA Consent Decree

Lexington Forum, March 6, 2008 Featured Speakers: Cheryl Taylor, LFUCG Environmental Quality Commissioner: Charles Martin, Director of Division of Water & Air Quality; Bill O’Mara, Director of the Division of Revenue The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent settlement with Lexington will require major upgrades to our storm sewers and sanitary sewers over the next decade.  Get a detailed look at the scope of the projects and the costs of construction straight from the people in charge of making it happen.  Click on the link below to download a podcast of the meeting courtesy of Dynamix Productions: Link to podcast Or, click here to read the analysis of the presentation as covered by Business Lexington.

Governor Beshear Offers a Review of His First Four Months in Office

Lexington Forum, April 3, 2008 At our spring Keeneland meeting, Governor Steve Beshear provided candid insights into the 2008 legislative session and a review of his first four months in office.  For a complete podcast of his presentation, click on the link below: Link to podcast Click here for a copy of the written analysis as it appeared in Business Lexington.

Political Experts Handicap the Kentucky Presidential Primary

Lexington Forum, May 1, 2008 Our May meeting featured a thoughtful review of the 2008 Presidential race and how it might play out in the Kentucky Primary.  Speakers included Ryan Alessi, Political Writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader; Scott Jennings, Political Strategist and former Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Director of Political Affairs; and David Wescott, Vice President of APCP Worldwide, former legislative assistant to Senator Edward Kennedy.  To hear a podcast of their discussion, please click on the link below: Link to podcast

Brainstorming Lexington’s Future for Destination 2040

The June meeting featured a presentation by Charlie Boland, project manager of Destination 2040, followed by brainstorming sessions to develop ideas for Lexington’s future.  For a podcast of the meeting, please click on the link below: Podcast