Logan County may soon join neighboring Warren, Todd, and Simpson counties in passing a local right-to-work law.
The Logan County Fiscal Court voted unanimously for an ordinance Tuesday on first reading. A final vote is scheduled next month.
Judge-Executive Logan Chick says the county has two industrial sites ready for new business, which he hopes a local right-to-work law will attract.
"Every time somebody visits you have obstacles they look at, and of course that's one of the obstacles we hear on a regular basis," Chick told WKU Public Radio. "Anytime you can eliminate any obstacle, the better off you are with that particular project."
Chick doubts Logan County magistrates would be considering a local right-to-work measure had surrounding counties not already acted. Chick says a local ordinance is needed to stay competitive with those counties, as well as neighboring Tennessee which has a statewide right-to-work law. Chick realizes his vote may not sit well with some in his party.
"When you're elected to office, you're elected to represent all the people. I am a Democrat, but once I'm in this office, I'm here to represent 100 percent of my people," added Chick.
Advocates say right-to-work laws will make counties more attractive to businesses and create jobs while opponents contend the laws are designed to crush labor unions and lower wages.
Meanwhile, the question of whether counties have the authority to pass such measures is still to be decided in court.
