Last Minute Pension Bill Ends Protections for New Teachers, Cuts Benefits
Legislation introduced and passed suddenly in the General Assembly yesterday moves new teachers into a less secure hybrid cash balance...
Economic Security
Pension Bill Doesn’t Save Money for KRS, Revised Teacher COLA Cut Changed Little
The pension bill SB 1 is not a cost saver for the Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS), according to the actuarial analysis of the bill released today. And a change to...
Reinstating Time Limits for Food Assistance Will Hurt Low-Income Kentuckians and Local Economies
Many Kentucky communities still face deep economic challenges eight years into the recovery from the Great Recession, and yet the state plans to make Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits...
Guest Blog: HB 2 Will Take Money Out of Injured Workers’ Pockets
Last week, the Kentucky House passed House Bill (HB 2), legislation that would hurt Kentucky’s workers, their families and their communities. The bill would severely restrict compensation for seriously injured...
Switching to 401ks Is a Lose-Lose
It’s a bad idea for Kentucky to shut down its pension plans and move new teachers and public employees into less efficient 401k-type defined contribution (DC) plans. State and local...
Bill Would Limit Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Cut Them Off Much Sooner
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a form of income-replacement coverage that keeps workers who lose their jobs out of poverty, boosts the economy in communities that experience downturns and helps to...
Passage of the Dream Act Would Benefit Kentucky
In September, the Trump Administration announced the end of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), a program established by executive order that granted immigrant youth who were brought to the...
Additional Contribution for Retiree Health Benefits Is an Unnecessary Wage Cut
The state’s proposed framework for pension legislation would require public employees to pay three percent more of their salaries toward retiree health benefits, the effect of which is the same as...
Supplemental Security Income is the “Assistance of Last Resort” for Kentucky’s Most Vulnerable
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), similar to Social Security Disability Insurance, provides a vital lifeline to blind, disabled and aged Kentuckians. Being a means-tested program, however, SSI is specifically designed for those with...
Pension Framework Makes Harsh Benefit Cuts, Adds Costs Without New Revenue
The governor and legislative leaders released a framework today that makes substantial cuts to pension benefits for current workers, new employees and even retired teachers. It includes a shift to...