2026 Regular Session - Day 57 - FCCR for HB 757 | Rep. Josh Bray | Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Free Conference Committee retained all provisions of the Senate Committee substitute to House Bill 757. It also had a sales tax incentive for tourism development, a historic rehabilitation credit for a large project, and at this time I would like to yield to the gentleman from McCracken One. General McCracken. Mr. Speaker, the Free Conference Committee report also contains in it direction to erect a statue in the rotunda of the new state capitol. Mr. Speaker, this statue will honor one of the greatest Kentuckians ever to serve this state in public office. Our commonwealth is blessed to have had the service of United States Senator Mitch McConnell for most of my lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I know of no person that not just stood up for Kentucky and the citizens thereof and really all of middle America when you think about his time as the leader, the longest serving senator in the commonwealth's history, the longest serving leader in United States history. This man who was never polled very popular made a huge impact on our republic. We've had two United States senators serve as leaders in the history of our commonwealth since 1792. One of them was raised in my district and his statue is in the rotunda. And since we now have a vacancy in the rotunda, I can think of no better person who deserves to be honored than Senator McConnell. I yield back to the gentleman from Marquess. With that, Mr. Speaker, I move adoption of the free conference committee report number one.