Meet Kentucky’s elected officials in-person at the library

Café LOUIE is a series of informal meetings designed to facilitate conversation between Louisvillians and both local and state officials.

LOUtoday_Cafe LOUIE

Café “LOUIE” stands for Louisvillians: Organized, United, Informed, and Engaged.

Photo by Café LOUIE

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Have a burning question or suggestion for Kentucky’s legislators? Café LOUIE is here to give your voice a mic and your thoughts a stage at its monthly meetings with elected officials.

Café LOUIE is a partnership between the Library Foundation, the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL), the Leadership Louisville Center, and the Friends of the Library. The annual series is designed to facilitate community interaction with state and local legislators.

Each month, from January to March, the meetings are held Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. at a different LFPL location.

Community members can grab a cup of Heine Brothers coffee and ask questions to a cast of rotating officials, including Kentucky State Senate members, Kentucky House Representatives, Metro Councilpersons, and mayors. A trained facilitator will direct + moderate the discussion.

Who’s who at Café LOUIE?

Here are some fast facts about each legislative branch:

Kentucky State Senate

  • Comprised of 38 members elected from single-member districts
  • Meet in Frankfort annually starting in January — sessions last 60 legislative days in even-numbered years and 30 days in odd-numbered years
  • Senate candidates must be at least 30-years-old, a citizen of Kentucky, and have lived in their district for at least one year prior to election.
  • No term limits
  • Find your state senator

Kentucky House of Representatives

  • Composed of 100 representatives elected from single-member districts
  • House candidates must be at least 24-years-old, a citizen of Kentucky, and have lived in their district at least one year prior to election
  • Elected every two years
  • Find your state representative

Louisville Metro Council

  • Established in 2003 after the merger between the City of Louisville and Jefferson County
  • Consists of 26 seats corresponding to districts throughout Jefferson County
  • Elected every four years in a staggered process.
  • Read more about the council’s responsibilities and how to participate.
  • Find your councilperson
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