What has KBT been doing?

Founded in late 1977, KBT has a long history of positive accomplishments to improve Kentucky’s transportation systems.

KBT supported economic deregulation of railroads, which would include protection for captive shippers.
KBT has worked regionally and nationally to get lock and dam improvements.
The understanding was developed at KBT Washington Fly-Ins to fund the Owensboro bridge and to free up funding for the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.
KBT coordinated the statewide effort in 1986 to get more adequate funding for state and local road programs.
KBT coordinated the effort in 1987 to override the President’s veto of the federal-aid highway program. Senator McConnell’s vote was a key vote in the override.
KBT worked closely with the Wilkinson Administration in the replacement of the SHU tax in 1988.
KBT took a leadership role during the 1988 session of the General Assembly to terminate the gasohol subsidy.
KBT worked in the 1990 session to get an increase in the usage tax dedicated to the Road Fund rather than having it go to the General Fund. This amounts to some $75 million annually.
KBT worked for authorization of the $600 million bond issue to complete some of the state’s most needed corridor highways.
KBT has provided a strong voice of opposition to diversion of road funds on the state and federal levels.
KBT’s push for a public long-range transportation plan came to fruition in 1992. This long-range plan helps opinion leaders have a much better vision of the magnitude of the continuing effort the state must have for successful economic development and improved quality of life.
KBT worked with national leaders in 1997-98 to get a national surface transportation program enacted that provided a more equitable return to Kentucky than ISTEA.
KBT has worked with the administration and legislative leaders to get more adequate funding for airports. Legislation in the 1998 session of the General Assembly dedicates the usage tax on jet fuel to airports.
KBT has urged coordinated management of the state’s human services transportation funds. Legislation in 1998 centralized the management function in the Transportation Cabinet.
KBT worked with the administration and legislative leaders to get major highway safety legislation enacted in the 2000 session of the General Assembly. This legislation included TEA-21 mandates on “repeat DUI” and “open container” and reduction of .10 blood alcohol level enforcement to .08.
When efforts to get a motor fuels user fee in 2005 were unsuccessful, KBT supported the authorization of $450 million in economic development road bonds and the dedication of a 1 cent temporary increase in the motor fuels user fee to pay the debt service on the issue.
When efforts to get a motor fuels user fee in 2006 were unsuccessful, KBT supported the authorization of $350 million in bonds for “Economic Development Road Projects” and the dedication of 1.1 cents temporary increase in the motor fuels user fee to pay the debt service on the issue.
KBT in 2006 successfully lobbied for two important measures to tighten vehicle usage tax provisions, providing an estimated annual fiscal impact of an additional $25 million for the Road Fund.
KBT worked with the administration and legislative leaders to get major highway safety legislation enacted in the 2006 session of the General Assembly. This included a primary seat belt law, improved graduated driver’s license, and “quick clear” of highway crashes.