Local legislators expect pension bill soon

Rep. Walker Thomas (R-Hopkinsville)/photo from KY LRC

Local lawmakers agree a pension reform bill will likely be unveiled to the General Assembly in the near future.

Representative Walker Thomas of Hopkinsville says he heard Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne indicate the pension bill could come in the next few days.

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Representative Lynn Bechler says waiting on data analysis on the impact the legislation could have on the state employee retirement systems has been part of the delay.

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Senator Whitney Westerfield, who represents Christian, Todd and Logan counties, believes the election filing deadline may have also had an impact on why it’s taken so long to see the bill.

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Pension reform will be closely related to the budget-making process this year. Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke chairs the Budget Review Subcommittee on Finance, Personnel and Public Retirement and says Christian County Property Valuation Officer Angie Strader was in Frankfort for a recent meeting to describe the impact proposed cuts in the governor’s budget would have on her office.

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Hear local lawmakers discuss the pension, budget and other issues during our weekly legislative update program Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.