Beech Tree News Network

BELTON, KY— Monday, September 5th is Labor Day 2022 in the United States. It is always good to reflect on why a holiday is celebrated. Oftentimes the original intent gets lost and having a day off is the only thing that enters many people’s minds.

The goal of Labor Day is to honor the contributions and achievements of American workers. It has historically been celebrated on the first Monday in September. 

It began as a grass roots efforts of the labor movement and was originally observed by individual states. City ordinances began passage in 1885 and 1886, which led to pressure for states to pass legislation to establish an official day to honor workers. 

It was needed because workers were abused during the Industrial Revolution, which was not right. Workers worked long hours for little wages and there were no protections for child workers. Many working conditions were unsafe.

As manufacturing gradually displaced farming as the main source of American employment, unions were formed to protest poor conditions and negotiate wages and hours and were much needed at that time in our nation’s history. They still are under certain circumstances today. 

As more and more states got on board, Congress passed legislation making the first Monday in September of every year a legal holiday. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland subsequently signed it into law. 

There remains controversy over who proposed the first Labor Day. Was it Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, or was it machinist Matthew Maguire, secretary of the Central Labor Union? Both have been given credit in various arenas as well as reported as attending the first Labor Day Parade in New York City. 

Regardless, we should always appreciate the men and women who provide the skills that have raised the standard of living for Americans. Not only have they contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known, they have also brought us closer to the achievement of our traditional principles of economic and political democracy. We acknowledge their contributions to our country’s strength, freedom, resiliency, and leadership. 

During my tenure in the Kentucky legislature, we have tried to craft policy that is balanced and fair to both employees and employers. Unfortunately, there is potential for abuse on both sides of any issue. Finding that middle ground is not always easy to do. Laws need to be continuously re-evaluated as to their impact on society as a whole. 

One of the key policy changes made this past session will allow for a decrease in personal income tax from 5% to 4.5% in January of 2023. The goal is for gradual one-half percent decreases over time until personal income tax is zero. 

Each cut will be triggered by a formula based on how much actual revenues exceed expenses of the state’s budget plus the dollar value of a 1% drop in income tax. It is estimated that the decrease will keep between $600-650 million in taxpayer pockets in 2023, of which the workers of Kentucky are a huge segment, to be invested or spent in local economies.

We continue to look at workforce participation and are crafting policy to encourage those who are able to participate. We are also looking at issues that prevent workforce participation and will attempt to continue to enact policies to assist those who want to participate but have barriers that make that impossible or not very worthwhile.

This past week I was able to attend Gospelfest in Central City as the opening event for Central City’s Labor Day Weekend’s festivities. There was a large crowd at the outdoor event at LuRay Park. Seeing everyone out and about and enjoying Christian music gives one hope for the future.

As always, I welcome your comments and concerns on any issue and can be reached, regardless of if in session or not, through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at-1-800-372-7181, at 502-564-8100, Ext. 59010, or via email at [email protected]

Please follow me on Facebook @melindagibbonsprunty. You can also keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation by visiting our website at https://legislature.ky.gov and watch both live and recorded meetings on YouTube at KY LRC Committee Meetings or on Kentucky Educational Television at https://ket.org/legislature.

Note: Representative Melinda Gibbons Prunty represents the 15th House District. She is Vice-Chair of both the Health & Family Services Committee and the Budget Review Sub-Committee on Health & Family Services. She serves on the Appropriations & Revenue, Education, and Natural Resources & Energy Committees as well as Medicaid Oversight & Advisory and the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening & Prevention Advisory Committee.