FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18)– Governor Matt Bevin made it clear that he wants a special session in order to pass a pension bill for certain Kentucky groups, but time is running out.
On July 1st, regional universities, health departments, and quasi-governmental groups will face huge pension cost increases. These are changes that these groups cannot afford.
Bevin says his solution is his pension reform bill, and he wants it passed in a special session.
So will the special session happen?
Leaders from both the Senate and House say that they are hoping for it, but there is a possibility it will not happen. Bevin does not have the votes for it right now and Republican leaders say that they don’t know if they’ll get them in time.
“At this point, maybe we just shouldn’t have a special session and people need to see how bad this pension crisis really is. Some people want to put their heads in the sand and pretend it’ll go away or throw more money at it, which is not a solution. We need to have reforms,” said Majority Floor Leader Senator Damon Thayer.
“I don’t think any of us want that to happen, but it may take something like that to really get people to understand how serious this issue is,” said Majority Floor Leader Representative John Bam Carney.
If the state’s constitution is being followed, lawmakers will need at least five days to pass the new bill.
Bevin tweeted a copy of a letter he sent to lawmakers, which includes his revised pension proposal, you can read it below:
Official Letter from @GovMattBevin to the #KYGA Regarding Special Session to Address Pension Crisis Facing Regional Universities and Quasi-Governmental Agencies > > > https://t.co/LOmSj8gKhu pic.twitter.com/EYV3wcOlE6
— Governor Matt Bevin (@GovMattBevin) June 5, 2019
