Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

The County Voice



KACo has a strong voice representing Kentucky counties at the state and federal levels. We work to promote counties first, preserve county decision making and protect counties from cost shifting and preemption of authority.



KACo Advocacy Team


Jim Henderson
Executive Director/CEO

Shellie Hampton
Director of Government Affairs

Kayla Carter Smith
Policy Analyst

2026 Legislative Priority: Reshaping the Shared Responsibility of County Jails

Kentucky county jails are at a crisis point, with fiscal court subsidies rising more than 76% in six years and counties forced to raise taxes or cut essential services just to keep their facilities operating.

KACo has published a one-page document with key points of our comprehensive jails proposal.


Know Your Legislator

Find listings for Kentucky's legislators by chamber including a short biography, committee assignments and contact information for both their Capitol office and home district.

We encourage members to meet with legislators in their district prior to the start of the legislative session to update them on issues important to counties and how those issues will affect their district in particular. During the session, stay engaged and visit legislators in Frankfort as bills make their way through the legislative process.


Legislative News

Unemployment Rates in Kentucky counties
Unemployment rates fell in all but 10 of Kentucky’s 120 counties between July 2017 and July 2018.
SOAR Coal summit
Community leaders are meeting in a Kentucky region hurt by the collapsing coal industry, seeking strategies to help redevelop the area's economy.
N KY infrastructure grant
Secretary Chao was joined by KY Sec. of Transportation Greg Thomas, Congressman Thomas Massie and Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore to announce $75 million in infrastructure grants.
Animal Cruelty Bill KY
A bill filed for consideration in the next year's General Assembly session would create an online, public registry listing names of people convicted of animal cruelty.
KY Legislative Calendar General Assembly 2019 session
The 2019 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8 and will last 30 legislative days.
Jaime Morales Scott County Sheriff Deputy shooting
Scott County Deputy Sheriff Jaime Morales is in critical condition following an officer involved shooting late Tuesday night.
Handicapped Parking new law
Updated method of getting a handicapped placard aims to reduce fraudulent issuance to those who do not need them.
Kentucky Supreme Court hears pension arguments
The Kentucky Supreme Court will now decide if the public pension bill, SB 151, was constitutional after hearing oral arguments on Thursday.