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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TARC (Transit Authority of River City)
Louisville’s public bus system, providing 2.8 million rides annually across 50+ routes. Governed by independent authority, funded by Metro government, […]
Read Full Definition → Tax Base
The total value of everything that can be taxed (property, income, sales, etc.). A growing tax base means the city […]
Read Full Definition → Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
A development tool where future property tax increases from a project are used to finance current improvements. The area is […]
Read Full Definition → Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Strategies to attract qualified teachers to the profession and keep them in the classroom rather than leaving for other careers. […]
Read Full Definition → Technology Procurement
The process government uses to purchase technology systems, software, and services. Traditional procurement emphasizes lowest bid and rigid specifications written […]
Read Full Definition → Tenant Rights
Legal protections for renters including: habitable conditions, privacy, anti-discrimination, fair eviction procedures, security deposit protections, and retaliation prohibitions. Stronger in […]
Read Full Definition → The Difference
Not the amount (both $1.2B), but HOW it’s spent: – Current administration: Centralized police precincts → Biggers: 63 neighborhood substations […]
Read Full Definition → Title IX
Federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. Covers athletics, sexual harassment, and equal educational opportunity. Dave’s […]
Read Full Definition → Traffic Calming
Street design techniques slowing vehicles and improving safety: speed humps, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, chicanes, roundabouts. Makes streets safer for […]
Read Full Definition → Traffic Stop Data Collection
Systematically recording demographics, reason for stop, search occurrence, and outcomes of all police traffic stops to identify patterns of racial […]
Read Full Definition → Transfer
Moving money from one fund to another. Sometimes confusing, but it’s just internal accounting to get money where it needs […]
Read Full Definition → Transit-Oriented Development
Compact, mixed-use development near public transit stations designed to increase ridership and reduce car dependence. Includes housing, retail, offices within […]
Read Full Definition → Transparency
Making government operations, decisions, and budgets open and accessible to the public. Dave’s budget is the most transparent in Louisville […]
Read Full Definition → Transparency Dashboard
Public website showing real-time budget data, program outcomes, and spending. Dave commits to creating this.
Read Full Definition → Trauma Support
Counseling and services for individuals who have experienced violence, abuse, or other traumatic events. Part of violence prevention programs – […]
Read Full Definition → Trauma-Informed Care
Approach that recognizes how trauma affects people and provides appropriate support. Especially important for youth programs and violence intervention.
Read Full Definition → Tree Canopy
The layer of leaves, branches, and stems of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above, measured as percentage […]
Read Full Definition → Turnover Rate
Percentage of employees who leave their jobs each year. High turnover costs money in recruitment and training. Louisville currently loses […]
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