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2019 KY General Assembly Overview

Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort
Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort

State lawmakers return to Frankfort today for the beginning of the Kentucky General Assembly. Capitol reporter Ryland Barton says a variety of issues are on tap. Chief among them: pensions.

After the Supreme Court struck down the legislature’s last attempt to change pension benefits, Republican leaders say they’ll try again this year. But it’s unclear what this year’s version will look like.

Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office for the third year in a row, meaning they won’t need any help from Democrats to pass bills or constitutional amendments if they can stay united.
 
But there are still divisions within the legislature’s GOP ranks, especially when it comes to whether or how to overhaul retirement benefits for state workers in an attempt to address the state’s $38 billion pension debt.
 
Because 2019 is an election year for statewide offices like governor and attorney general, the session will also serve as an arena for candidates inside and out of the legislature to try and curry favor with voters.
The General Assembly lasts for a total of 30 working days between Jan 9 and Mar 31.

Ryland Barton is the Managing Editor for Collaboratives for Kentucky Public Radio, a group of public radio stations including WKMS, WFPL in Louisville, WEKU in Richmond and WKYU in Bowling Green. A native of Lexington, Ryland most recently served as the Capitol Reporter for Kentucky Public Radio. He has covered politics and state government for NPR member stations KWBU in Waco and KUT in Austin.
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