Area state legislators previewed the 2019 session of the Kentucky General Assembly at Monday’s Pennyrile Area Development District Christmas Luncheon.
State Senator C.B. Embry of Butler County was one of a very few Republicans who voted against pension reform legislation earlier this year and says an expected decision on that bill by the Kentucky Supreme Court this week will go a long way in determining how the 2019 session proceeds.
Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County says cleaning up some issues with taxes and tax reform will be a priority.
Representative Jason Petrie of Elkton agrees tax reform will come up, but doesn’t expect sweeping changes in the short session.
Representative Lynn Bechler of Marion wants Kentucky to continue moving toward a consumption-based tax structure similar to Tennessee.
Representative Melinda Prunty of Greenville used the occasion to urge area residents to log onto the Tennessee Valley Authority website and offer their support to the Paradise coal-burning power plant—which is in danger of being shut down by the TVA.
Meanwhile, representatives of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman James Comer say they expect the Farm Bill to receive passage by Congress this week and it includes provisions to remove industrial hemp from the federal list of controlled substances.