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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P
Prevention ROI
Return on investment from preventive programs – measuring how much money is saved in healthcare, criminal justice, and social costs […]
Read Full Definition → Prevention-First Approach
Investing in programs that prevent problems (crime, health crises, fires) before they happen, rather than only responding after problems occur. […]
Read Full Definition → Preventive Care
Healthcare that prevents disease and identifies problems early (screenings, vaccinations, health education). Saves money long-term.
Read Full Definition → Primary Care
Basic healthcare (checkups, common illnesses, chronic disease management). Wellness centers provide this through nurse practitioners.
Read Full Definition → Primary Election
An election where voters choose their party’s candidate who will run in the general election. In Kentucky, primaries are ‘closed,’ […]
Read Full Definition → Procedural Justice
The principle that people evaluate police legitimacy based on how they’re treated (fairness, respect, voice, neutrality) not just outcomes. When […]
Read Full Definition → Project Labor Agreement (PLA)
Pre-hire collective bargaining agreement between construction contractors and unions establishing wages, benefits, work rules, and dispute resolution for large projects. […]
Read Full Definition → Property Tax
Annual tax on real estate based on assessed property value. Major source of city revenue. If you own property in […]
Read Full Definition → Protected Bike Lane
Bike lanes physically separated from traffic by planters, posts, curbs, or parked cars. Dramatically safer than painted lanes, encouraging cycling […]
Read Full Definition → Provisional Ballot
A special ballot given to voters whose eligibility is unclear on Election Day (wrong precinct, name not in poll book, […]
Read Full Definition → Public Defender
A government-employed lawyer who represents people charged with crimes who cannot afford private attorneys. The Constitution guarantees everyone the right […]
Read Full Definition → Public Hearing
A formal meeting where citizens can speak directly to Metro Council or other government boards about proposed legislation, developments, or […]
Read Full Definition → Public Housing
Government-owned rental housing for low-income residents, operated by local housing authorities. Federally funded but chronically underfunded, leading to deteriorating conditions […]
Read Full Definition → Public Reporting
Regular reports to citizens on program progress and budget status. Quarterly reports proposed.
Read Full Definition → Public Safety Committee
The Metro Council committee overseeing police, fire, emergency services, and corrections. This committee reviews LMPD policies, approves contracts for public […]
Read Full Definition → Public Works Department
The government agency responsible for maintaining and building public infrastructure including roads, bridges, sidewalks, traffic signals, storm sewers, street lighting, […]
Read Full Definition → Q
Qualified Immunity
A legal doctrine that protects police officers from civil lawsuits unless they violated ‘clearly established’ constitutional rights. Qualified immunity makes […]
Read Full Definition → Questions?
If you don’t understand something in the budget, that’s OUR failure, not yours. Email info@rundaverun.org with questions and we’ll update […]
Read Full Definition → Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present for Metro Council (or any official board) to conduct business legally. […]
Read Full Definition → R
Racial Profiling
Law enforcement targeting individuals for stops, searches, or arrests based on race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than evidence of […]
Read Full Definition → Rainy Day Fund (Reserve Fund)
Money set aside for emergencies, unexpected expenses, or economic downturns. Like your emergency savings account. Financially responsible cities have 10-15% […]
Read Full Definition → Rapid Rehousing
Short-term rental assistance (3-6 months) and services helping homeless families quickly move into permanent housing. More cost-effective than shelters, with […]
Read Full Definition → Recidivism
The rate at which released inmates return to jail or prison, measuring whether criminal justice programs successfully rehabilitate or merely […]
Read Full Definition → Recycling Program
A system that collects, processes, and converts waste materials into new products, conserving natural resources and reducing landfill use. Effective […]
Read Full Definition → Reentry Programs
Services helping released inmates successfully transition back to the community—housing assistance, job training, education, mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling. […]
Read Full Definition → Referendum
A type of ballot measure where voters approve or reject a law or action already taken by the legislature. A […]
Read Full Definition → Renewable Energy
Energy generated from naturally replenishing sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal that don’t deplete over time and produce little […]
Read Full Definition → Rent Control
Government limits on rent increases, typically capping annual increases at inflation rate or fixed percentage. Protects tenants from rapid rent […]
Read Full Definition → Resolution
A formal statement or decision by Metro Council that doesn’t have the force of law. Like a statement of support […]
Read Full Definition → Response Time
The time between when a 911 call is placed and when police/fire/EMS arrive on scene. Measured separately for Priority 1 […]
Read Full Definition → Restorative Justice
An approach to crime that focuses on repairing harm and rehabilitating offenders through dialogue between victims, offenders, and community, rather […]
Read Full Definition → Return on Investment (ROI)
How much value you get back for money spent. Example: Wellness centers have an ROI of $2-3 saved for every […]
Read Full Definition → Right to Counsel (Housing)
Guaranteed legal representation for tenants facing eviction, similar to criminal defense. New York, San Francisco, and other cities provide free […]
Read Full Definition → Right to Work (Law)
State laws prohibiting union contracts that require all workers to pay union dues/fees. Weakens unions by creating ‘free rider’ problem […]
Read Full Definition → Right-of-Way
Public property along streets including roadways, sidewalks, street trees, utility lines, and the land between sidewalks and private property. Government […]
Read Full Definition → Road Diet
Reducing number of traffic lanes (typically 4 lanes to 2 plus center turn lane) and reallocating space to bike lanes, […]
Read Full Definition → Rollout Strategy
Plan for gradually implementing new programs. Starts with highest-need areas, expands systematically.
Read Full Definition → Rubbertown
Industrial corridor in West Louisville housing chemical manufacturing facilities. Produces synthetic rubber, plastics, and chemicals since WWII. Known for air […]
Read Full Definition → S
Safe Routes to School
Programs creating safe walking/cycling routes to schools through: infrastructure improvements (sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic calming), crossing guards, walking school buses, and […]
Read Full Definition → Scaling Up
Expanding a successful program from small to large. Example: Starting with 12 substations in Year 1, scaling to 63 by […]
Read Full Definition → School Board
The elected governing body that sets policy, hires the superintendent, approves budgets, and provides oversight for a public school district. […]
Read Full Definition → School Choice
Policies allowing families to choose which school their children attend rather than being assigned based on home address. School choice […]
Read Full Definition → School Facilities
The buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields, and infrastructure where education occurs. Facility quality affects learning—students in well-maintained schools with proper lighting, […]
Read Full Definition → School Funding Formula
The complex system determining how much state and local money each school district receives, based on factors like enrollment, student […]
Read Full Definition → School Resource Officer (SRO)
A sworn law enforcement officer assigned to work in schools, providing security, building relationships with students, teaching law-related classes, and […]
Read Full Definition → School Transportation
The system that transports students between home and school, including school buses, public transit, walking, and family vehicles. JCPS operates […]
Read Full Definition → School-to-Prison Pipeline
Policies and practices that push students, particularly students of color and students with disabilities, out of schools and into the […]
Read Full Definition → Second Chance Employment
Programs and policies that help people with criminal records find employment by removing barriers, providing training, and partnering with fair-chance […]
Read Full Definition → Section 8 Voucher
Federal rental assistance program (Housing Choice Voucher) where eligible low-income families receive vouchers paying portion of rent directly to landlords. […]
Read Full Definition → Senior Programs
Services and activities for older adults (typically 60+) including fitness classes, social events, educational programs, meals, transportation, and wellness checks. […]
Read Full Definition →