Mayoral Candidates Discuss Business At Venture Club Debate

by Gabe BullardThree candidates for Louisville mayor debated for the first time since the May primary Wednesday, at the Venture Club's monthly luncheon.The theme for the forum was supporting startup businesses. Democrat Greg Fischer, Republican Hal Heiner and independent Jackie Green all have experience running businesses, and they were asked about their strategies for fostering entrepeneurship in Louisville.Among other ideas, Heiner suggested Louisville work with other cities to lobby Frankfort to invest more tax dollars in cities."I know northern Kentucky's hungry for it. We'll build an urban coalition with other cities to address urban problems. They have the same problems we have with job growth, they have the same problems we have with older industrial areas and declining neighborhood," said Heiner.Fischer told the crowd of about 200 that he would work to change the culture in Louisville to be friendlier to small businesses."Change culture is difficult, I realize that, but it is any opportunity the mayor has by establishing the values of the administration around things like entrepreneurship and risk-taking," said Fischer.Green focused mainly on improving transportation, which is his signature issue."That is a job creator," he said. "You can make jobs building public transit systems just as well as you can make jobs pouring concrete across the river."The question and answer section of the debate is below: