 Among the progressive reforms advocated by McCreary and passed in the 1912 legislative session were making women eligible to vote in school board elections , mandating direct primary elections , and allowing the state 's counties to hold local option elections to decide whether or not to adopt prohibition . McCreary appointed a tax commission to study the revenue system , and the Board of Assessments and Valuation made a more realistic appraisal of corporate property . McCreary created executive departments to oversee state banking and highways , and a bipartisan vote in the General Assembly established the Kentucky Public Service Commission . Near the close of the session , McCreary County was created and named in the governor 's honor . It was the last of Kentucky 's 120 counties to be constituted . 
