Governor Matt Bevin is accusing some of those who oppose his pension reforms of having a “thug mentality.”
In an interview on Bowling Green radio station WKCT, Bevin pointed out that some teachers booed Republican State Senator Joe Bowen of Owensboro during a recent committee debate over the pension bill he co-sponsors.
Others picketed outside his business.
Bevin said “That’s the kind of thug mentality that’s being dealt with and it’s
unfortunate."
Bevin went on to say that most teachers aren’t the problem, but instead blamed the Kentucky Education Association for not doing what’s best for its members and ignoring the problems facing the state’s underfunded pension systems.
The Governor’s latest comments come after he called educators “selfish” and “short-sighted” last week for opposing his pension reform efforts.
Senate Bill One would reduce the annual cost of living benefit increases for retired teachers from 1.5 percent to 1 percent.
Supporters say it’s necessary to pay off the retirement system’s massive liabilities.
Opponents say a pension is a promise, and that the terms of the deal shouldn’t be changed now.
