Senator Reynolds files bill naming the Corvette as the official state sports car

[Rob]

Senator Reynolds files bill naming the Corvette as the official state sports car

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
National Corvette Museum News

Related Video: VetteTube - Corvette Videos, Corvette Babes, Corvette Pics, Corvette Burnouts, Corvette Mods

State Senator Mike Reynolds, D-Bowling Green, has filed legislation (Senate Bill 111) designating the Corvette as the official state sports car of Kentucky.

The Corvette’s role in Kentucky’s manufacturing and tourism industries make it a natural choice for “official sports car of Kentucky.” Warren County is the home of the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant and the National Corvette Museum.

“Bowling Green is becoming more of a tourist destination. The National Corvette Museum is a major part of that and is a definite drawing card for the traveling public. Drawing attention to our community and the Corvette’s unique role in our American heritage can only boost economic development for our area,” Senator Reynolds said.

The first 300 Corvettes were built by hand in 1953 in Flint, Michigan, just after General Motors unveiled the Corvette as a “dream car” in the Motorama show in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The next year, the production was moved to St. Louis and in June of 1981, the Corvette production was transferred to Bowling Green. Today, the Bowling Green plant employs more than 500 Kentuckians and is known throughout the world for its famous high-quality product.
On July 2, 1992, the one millionth Corvette was manufactured. The 50th anniversary was marked in June of 2003 with a special 50th anniversary Corvette package. The Corvette plant received a number of awards in 2009 including the J.D. Power’s Top GM Model, Best in Segment and the Bronze Plant Award.

Each year, approximately 50,000 tourists from around the world visit the Corvette plant to watch the manufacturing process. The plant has partnered with the National Corvette Museum to enable Corvette enthusiasts the opportunity to watch their own dream car being built and to take a personalized tour of the facility. The museum has around 150,000 visitors a year.

Senate Bill 111 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. “The Corvette has become a tangible symbol of our Commonwealth, and I’m excited to make that symbolism official,” Senator Reynolds said.Senator Reynolds represents the 32nd district, which includes Butler and Warren counties.

 

[surfer93]

Another great example of tax dollars at work.

 

[air1jpg]

I think this is very cool! Expecially since I live in KY..

 

[surfer93]

Sorry, reread my post and it sounds bad.
I liked that they are doing it and hate they are wasting money when there are so many better things to spend it on in this economy.

 

[ottomatic]

Sorry, reread my post and it sounds bad.
I liked that they are doing it and hate they are wasting money when there are so many better things to spend it on in this economy.

What money? The desigination may bring more tourism to Kentucky and that means more money for the Commonwealth.

 

[DDLS3]

Yep it's all good!

 

[MY4THVette]

This could be one of the best pieces of legislation the Good Senator proposes all year !

 

[catbert]

It's good that KY is in such great shape that they can devote time to issues like the state sportscar.

 

[ottomatic]

It's good that KY is in such great shape that they can devote time to issues like the state sportscar.

Here's the real story:

“Bowling Green is becoming more of a tourist destination. The National Corvette Museum is a major part of that and is a definite drawing card for the traveling public. Drawing attention to our community and the Corvette’s unique role in our American heritage can only boost economic development for our area,” Senator Reynolds said.

Each year, approximately 50,000 tourists from around the world visit the Corvette plant to watch the manufacturing process. The plant has partnered with the National Corvette Museum to enable Corvette enthusiasts the opportunity to watch their own dream car being built and to take a personalized tour of the facility. The museum has around 150,000 visitors a year.

Every tourist dollar spent for hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, entrance fees, side trips like caverns, historic sites, distilleries means money that will help sustain or grow a local economy. It's not about sports cars (well, maybe just a little :L) It's about tourism. It will say that Kentucky is a great place to visit and maybe a great place to live.

 

[catbert]

Here's the real story:

“Bowling Green is becoming more of a tourist destination. The National Corvette Museum is a major part of that and is a definite drawing card for the traveling public. Drawing attention to our community and the Corvette’s unique role in our American heritage can only boost economic development for our area,” Senator Reynolds said.

Each year, approximately 50,000 tourists from around the world visit the Corvette plant to watch the manufacturing process. The plant has partnered with the National Corvette Museum to enable Corvette enthusiasts the opportunity to watch their own dream car being built and to take a personalized tour of the facility. The museum has around 150,000 visitors a year.

Every tourist dollar spent for hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, entrance fees, side trips like caverns, historic sites, distilleries means money that will help sustain or grow a local economy. It's not about sports cars (well, maybe just a little :L) It's about tourism. It will say that Kentucky is a great place to visit and maybe a great place to live.

That's all true, and would happen without an official sports car. It just seems a trivial government proclamation. My love for Vettes notwithstanding.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I am a long-time Corvette owner and "nut". I have visited the Bowling Green Assembly Plant and National Corvette Museum several times. I live in a state that adjoins Kentucky and I travel and vacation in Kentucky often.

Having said that - this is a classic example of what is wrong with governments and politicians. This is not the function of government - just another politician that wants to get his name and picture associated with someone else's good fortune. He is using the accomplishments of GM, its employees, and the Corvette community to further his political career.

Just my two cents worth...

 

[plasboy]

I think this is great. It surely isn't going to take up too much time on anyones agenda to think this over and will surely benefit the state and the corvette at least to some extent. Also if it helps to make the corvette more important in GM's eyes or the federal government mavbe it will help secure its future.

 

[KANE]

It's good that KY is in such great shape that they can devote time to issues like the state sportscar.

As a resident of Kentucky... Tourism is a huge industry here.

I can also tell you the horse racing industry is hurting. Not that I personally care for horse racing- but it brings in a lot of money to the state. The state has recently looked at allowing slots at the track- essentially, making them mini-casinos. There are lots of event here each year- Kentucky Derby, Thunder over Louisville, The Kentucky State Fair, and the list goes on.

Now, what I'd really like to see is the repeal of county and city level income taxes. Louisville Metro squanders soooo much money (granite curbs downtown???).

But that is a topic best left for the Edge...

 

[catbert]

The connection between some yahoo declaring a state sportscar and tourism seems a bit tenuous. There ARE serious issues facing every state that are ill-served by timewasting and pandering. JMHO.

....on the other hand, me commenting several times on something I've characterized as trivial seems.....trivial, and more than a little ironic (or moronic).

 

[KANE]

The connection between some yahoo declaring a state sportscar and tourism seems a bit tenuous. There ARE serious issues facing every state that are ill-served by timewasting and pandering. JMHO.

True... but it doesn't impact me in the form of higher taxes- and most states are raising taxes to fill holes for programs that don't work and yet need more money.


I'd rather they pass "feel good (P.R.)" legislation than "feel this (tax increases)". There are no ear marks in that bill. :L

 

[Patrick]

It's certainly a nice idea, and a clever way to promote tourism into the state.

I do, however, have two questions about this:

1) If you are driving "The Official Sports Car of Kentucky" in Kentucky, are you still required to adhere to the posted speed limit?

2) Does this mean all 49 other states are required to adopt an official sports car? I can just see California naming the Prius as its official "sports car."

 

[DDLS3]

The connection between some yahoo declaring a state sportscar and tourism seems a bit tenuous. There ARE serious issues facing every state that are ill-served by timewasting and pandering. JMHO.

....on the other hand, me commenting several times on something I've characterized as trivial seems.....trivial, and more than a little ironic (or moronic).

Catbert,

You are correct on all accounts, the Senator, a junior senator at that was critisized for submitting this bill in light of the more pressing issues of budget shortfall.