LOUISVILLE, Ky. — December marked nine years since Kenneth Forbes lost his son, Kenneth Forbes, Jr. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Greg Fischer and other Louisville leaders announced their legislative priorities Monday

  • Fischer said public safety is the city's top legislative priority

  • The General Assembly convenes on Tuesday

  • Fischer said he would like to see the strengthening of the Group Violence Intervention initiative, bail reform and tax reform, among other priorities

Forbes, the founder of Mothers of Murdered Sons and Daughters of Kentucky (MOMS), joined Louisville leaders Monday to call on lawmakers to help address gun violence. 

"The last 10 years we’ve had over roughly 1,000 homicides in the city of Louisville and if you multiply that by the number of individuals who attend wakes or funerals, the numbers grow to the tens of thousands of people who was actually affected by that homicide," Forbes said.

Mayor Greg Fischer said public safety was the city’s top legislative priority as the General Assembly prepares to begin a new session Tuesday.

"In 2021, we broke a record that we never want to break; 2021 saw about a 10% increase with 188 homicides in our city in one year’s time," Fischer said.

City leaders want legislators to amend state law so that guns seized by law enforcement can be destroyed, strengthen the Group Violence Intervention initiative by making risk and needs assessments mandatory for people accused of violent crimes, and they want to give subpoena power to the inspector general working with the Civilian Review and Accountability Board. 

Leaders are also pushing for bail reform, tax reform and a list of road plan requests. 

"You can’t walk two feet without somebody talking about the need for road spending, particularly in the growth areas of our city and commonwealth," said Council Member Anthony Piagentini (R, District 19). 

The legislative session beginning this week will end in mid-April. 

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