Local lawmakers say pension reform seeming less likely

With eight days left in the 2018 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, some local legislators are saying pension reform is looking less and less likely.

Speaking with WHOP News, Representative Lynn Bechler, who represents Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston and a part of Christian County, says he thinks the odds of a pension bill passing are very slim at this point. He says that disappoints him, because he believes reform is necessary.

Representative Walker Thomas agrees that it seems unlikely to happen and he’s not sure what it would take for compromise to be accomplished on pension reform.

Teachers and state workers aren’t the only ones that will be impacted by pension issues, as local governments, quasi-government entities and school boards will have to start paying more into their pensions. Senator Whitney Westerfield says Senate Bill 66 is a companion bill that was supposed to give those people some relief and it’s apparently as dead as the pension bill.

Representative Myron Dossett does not support the pension bill in its current form. He says if pension reform happens this session, it will be a changed one that is fair to everyone.

Both the pension bill and the budget are still in the Senate and both have to make it back to the House and then likely a conference committee before the Governor can give the items consideration for his signature.