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Gov. Bevin Explains Position On Pension Reforms At Cynthiana Forum

Matt Markgraf
/
WKMS
Gov. Matt Bevin speaks with a forum participant following the forum.

Governor Matt Bevin held a public forum in Cynthiana on Friday and spoke on a variety of issues. Bevin spent more than 20 minutes explaining his position on pension reforms. That was met with strong reaction from public educators in the front row. 

Retired social studies teacher and Harrison County School Board member Mary June Brunker talked about transportation and extended school service cuts. 

Bevin said there’s not enough tax money to pay for past pension promises. “Everything has to be paid for by somebody, it does. And when we take a dollar from one place and put it somewhere else, somebody else doesn’t have that dollar. So, yes things have been cut. Of course they have, because we’re actually paying our bills.”

In the middle of the sometimes contentious community forum, Harrison County Judge Alex Barnett welcomed Bevin to Cynthiana. He added that opening up such a session to any question is what he labeled, “brave.”

Mary June Brunker said she believes Bevin is more interested in boosting economic-related standings than addressing public education needs. 

“And if he had a higher bond rating then his economics can be better placed through the state.  Of course, my passion and my emphasis is on is what he’s doing to education through the cuts,” said Brunker.

Bevin cited Tennessee and Indiana, each with roughly two million more people than the Commonwealth. He said if Kentucky could see that type of population growth, more tax money could meet many needs. He said attracting more people comes with lower taxes.

© 2018 WEKU

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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