In less than six months, state lawmakers are scheduled to return to Frankfort. At that time, there will be a slew of issues to wrestle with, but few are likely to be broadly adopted by a divided legislature. Lexington Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo thinks state pensions passes that litmus test. Palumbo said lawmakers need to be willing to negotiate and put everything on the table." She added, "because for Kentuckians, that matters. That's an important issue."
Fellow Lexington lawmaker Susan Westrom says comprehensive tax reform should top the list. Westrom, another veteran representative, says addressing tax structure would also help deal with long term state pension problems. "We can no longer put that off and I don't understand why we have, but that is all predicated on our leadership," said Westrom. "So I'm hoping that that happens this year."
State lawmakers are not expected to gather in Frankfort before January. Although requested by some Kentucky county clerks, Governor Beshear has said he won't call the legislature into special session to address issues related to marriage licensing.
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