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Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, has been appointed by Senate President Rober Stivers, R-Manchester, to serve on the Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs Committee of The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South).

CSG South was founded in 1947 and it is the largest of four regional offices under the Council of State Governments. It includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

As a committee member, Douglas will represent Kentucky and engage with fellow legislators to “enhance regional economic and transportation policy initiatives,” participate in committee sessions and business meetings at the annual conference, contribute to legislative roundtables and police discussions, vote on key policy positions and committee leadership roles, and engage in CSG South’s briefings, webinars, and leadership development programs.

According to U.S. News, Kentucky is ranked among the states at #24 for infrastructure. Within that, Kentucky is #31 in energy infrastructure, #21 in internet access, and #18 in transportation. According to t4america.com, in 2023, Kentucky was ranked among 20 other states that have the worst access to public transportation. Since access to transportation is integral to get to work and therefore integral to any given state’s economic development, the senator has his transportation work cut out for him.

According to CSG, the Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs 2025 preview examines issues related to delivery fees on retail deliveries, tax options for electric vehicle charging, funding resilient infrastructure, workforce housing, and investing in the creator economy.

 

Douglas and other members will have the opportunity to attend the annual Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 19-23. According to the press release, the conference will “provide policymakers with a platform to engage in policy discussions, explore economic development strategies, and promote infrastructure and cultural affairs in the Southern region,”

 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on this committee and work alongside my colleagues to drive economic growth and improve transportation infrastructure in our region,” said Douglas. “CSG South provides a great platform for collaboration, and as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I’m excited to highlight the significant strides Kentucky is making in strengthening our infrastructure for the future.”

 

Douglas will serve a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

Douglas chairs the Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services. He also serves as vice chair on the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of the Senate Committees on Banking and Insurance; Licensing and Occupations; and Health Services. Douglas also serves on the Government Contract Review Committee and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee.