Greenberg releases agenda for Kentucky's upcoming legislative session

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg outlined his priorities Tuesday for Kentucky's upcoming legislative session.

Greenberg shared his agenda for the 2026 general assembly during a news conference and on social media. It includes "capital requests and statutory changes" the mayor said will "advance Louisville Metro's highest priorities" of public safety, affordable housing, early learning opportunities and investments in the city's neighborhoods.

Investments in first responder training, downtown, sports tourism

The agenda first focuses on "Investing in Louisville's Future" through revitalizing downtown and building on a $100 million investment made by the General Assembly last session.

Greenberg is asking for more funding to continue investing in downtown projects he said will create jobs, attract visitors, provide shelter and services to the city's homeless communities, and other development projects. Those include: the Community Care Campus; the ongoing Belvedere renovation project; the LOUMED district; Convention Center Corridor; the future of the Humana building; and the Waterfront Amphitheater. 

The agenda also asks for funding to build a dedicated training facility for first responders in Jefferson County and surrounding counties. Greenberg said the facility would provide "comprehensive training from driving skills to emergency response." He added that the city has allocated funding toward the project and has already signed a letter of intent to purchase land in southwest Jefferson County.

Greenberg is also looking for funding for a new master plan that would transform Jefferson Memorial Forest "into a premier recreational destination" by enhancing infrastructure, expanding amenities and more.

With Louisville getting a United Football League team, the Louisville Kings, Greenberg's agenda calls for turning Louisville into a national leader in sports tourism by investing in athletic infrastructure. That includes tournament-ready facilities to attract regional and national competitions Greenberg said will drive tourism and economic growth for the city and the state.

Investments in public safety

One of Greenberg's top priorities for this legislative session and previous sessions is public safety and keeping Louisville safe.

One of his goals is for the General Assembly to allow Louisville to "legislate local solutions to gun violence prevention" by giving more local control. 

This comes more than a month after Councilman Ken Herndon, D-District Four,  introduced a resolution that would carve out an exception for Louisville to a 2012 law that bans any city in the state from creating regulations around the sale, ownership or possession of firearms. To do so, he's asking state lawmakers to amend a different statute to allow local governments more control in the disposal of firearms. Herndon said Louisville is unique in the state, and lawmakers have created Louisville-specific laws before. The resolution passed Metro Council's Public Safety Committee.

Greenberg also wants lawmakers to require background checks for all firearm sales, waiting periods for first-time buyers and limits on concealed carry for those under the age of 25.

The mayor's agenda also calls for a ban on gun conversion devices — known as "Glock switches" — which turn legal firearms into automatic weapons. Greenberg said this would bring Kentucky in line with 26 other states, including Indiana.

It also calls for investments in violence intervention through funding for outreach, conflict de-escalation and intervention programs. It also calls for extending felony-level penalties for assaults on public transit drivers, and reducing crashes through automated traffic enforcement in high-risk areas, as well as strengthening distracted driving laws.

Investments in families, child care and early learning

Greenberg's agenda calls for preventing cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs; preserving utility assistance by supporting funding for programs like LIHEAP; and protecting residents from extreme weather conditions by banning utility shutoffs.

It also calls for funding for Thrive by 5, the Greenberg administration's Universal Pre-K initiative that would "provide free, high-quality education" to 3- and 4-year-old children in Louisville. Funding would help expand early education, reduce costs for child care and grow the child care workforce. 

Greenberg also wants ECCAP eligibility expanded, allowing public employees to use the state Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership. 

The agenda also calls for the automatic restoration of voting rights for those who have completed their felony sentences, and modernizing Kentucky's eviction laws to expunge filings after a period of good standing.

Housing and neighborhood investments

Greenberg is asking for support on legislation introduced in 2025 that establishes local housing development districts, helping to streamline the zoning process and offers incentives for construction of residential areas.

It also calls for the creation of a state housing tax credit, equivalent to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

The mayor wants to reduce development barriers by getting rid of sales tax on building materials for affordable homes, and create a "revolving loan fund" that offers low-interest financing for housing development.

The agenda also calls for partnerships with faith communities, enabling institutions to develop affordable housing and improve address housing shortages locally.

Greenberg also wants to expand historic preservation credits by consolidating program funding into a single pool of $100M. The mayor said that will ensure the "full utilization of available tax credits." He also wants to strengthen landbanks by expanding boards from three to six members. He said that will help "accelerate the reuse of vacant properties."

Transportation and infrastructure

The agenda also calls for capital investments in roadway improvements by funding "critical transportation projects" inside and outside the Watterson. Those ongoing projects are focused on improving safety, relieving congestion and improving infrastructure. Greenberg said this builds on Louisville's proposed priorities for the 2026 state highway plan.

Greenberg wants to establish permanent state funding for TARC to provide reliable service to residents. He also wants to establish a Residential Infrastructure Fund to "help local governments finance roads and utilities needed for housing." It's modeled after Indiana's Residential Infrastructure Fund, Greenberg said.

Last legislative session, Greenberg's administration was able to secure more than $1 billion in investments, with over $100 million going to downtown Louisville revitalization.

To read the full agenda, click here.

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