Voter Education Glossary
Understanding Louisville Metro Government & Policy
This comprehensive glossary explains 375 terms related to Louisville Metro government, policy, and civic engagement. Each term includes Louisville-specific context and explains why it matters to you as a voter.
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League of Women Voters of Louisville
– Nonpartisan voter education – Website: lwvlouisville.org – Publishes voter guides
Read Full Definition → Legal Aid
Free or low-cost civil legal services for low-income people who can’t afford attorneys. Legal aid helps with housing (eviction defense, […]
Read Full Definition → Legal Aid Society
– Free legal help for low-income residents – Phone: (502) 584-1254 – Website: laslou.org
Read Full Definition → Legislative Branch
Metro Council that makes laws and approves budgets. The “rule-makers” of government.
Read Full Definition → LG&E (Louisville Gas and Electric)
The investor-owned utility providing electricity and natural gas to Louisville and surrounding areas, serving approximately 400,000 electric and 325,000 gas […]
Read Full Definition → Line Item
A specific spending category in the budget (e.g., “Police Officer Salaries” or “Park Maintenance”). The more line items you see, […]
Read Full Definition → Literacy Programs
Educational services that teach reading and writing skills to children and adults, ranging from early childhood literacy initiatives to adult […]
Read Full Definition → Living Wage
The hourly wage needed for a full-time worker to afford basic necessities (housing, food, healthcare, transportation) in a specific area. […]
Read Full Definition → Local Hiring
Policy requiring or incentivizing contractors and businesses to hire residents from the local area, particularly for projects using public funds […]
Read Full Definition → LouieStat
Louisville Metro Government’s performance management system that tracks key metrics across departments to improve accountability, identify problems early, and make […]
Read Full Definition → Louisville Courier-Journal
– Local news and government coverage – Website: courier-journal.com
Read Full Definition → Louisville Fire Department
The fire protection and emergency medical services agency serving Louisville Metro with approximately 700 firefighters operating from 22 fire stations. […]
Read Full Definition → Louisville Forward
Louisville Metro Government’s economic development agency, responsible for attracting new businesses, supporting existing companies, and managing workforce development programs. Louisville […]
Read Full Definition → Louisville Free Public Library
– Free access to government documents – Computers and internet access – Help navigating government websites —
Read Full Definition → Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD)
The law enforcement agency serving Louisville Metro with approximately 1,200 officers and 400 civilian employees. LMPD’s budget is about $220 […]
Read Full Definition → Louisville Water Company
A publicly-owned utility that provides drinking water to approximately 860,000 people in Louisville Metro and surrounding counties, drawing water from […]
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