Ways Forward for the Commonwealth
In the coming weeks and months, Kentuckians will hear from candidates for governor about their vision and ideas for our...
Tax and Budget
2019 Session Tax Round Up – More Special Interest Tax Cuts Means Less To Invest
The Kentucky General Assembly ended the 2019 session with the passage of a pair of so-called tax "clean up” bills that make Kentucky’s precarious revenue situation worse. The first bill,...
Senate Pension Bill Also Breaks Inviolable Contract
When the governor vetoed House Bill 358, the legislation affecting pension costs for quasi-governmental organizations like community mental health centers and regional universities, his primary stated objection was that it...
Bank Tax Break Passed This Session Was Not What Proponents Claimed
One of the surprise provisions included in HB 354 - the tax clean-up bill that morphed into a tax giveaway bill – is a $56 million tax cut for banks....
Breaking Inviolable Contract for Quasi-Governmental Employees Would Result in Massive Loss of Benefits
Pension proposals for quasi-governmental organizations that attempt to break the inviolable contract for current employees will result in a huge loss of retirement income for those affected, with career employees...
Conference Committee Agrees to Substantial New Tax Breaks in the “Tax Clean-Up Bill” – Digging Our Revenue Hole Even Deeper
The 2019 short session is in its final days and House Bill 354 (HB 354) - the “tax clean-up” bill, the original purpose of which was specifically to address unintended...
Pension Bill Breaks Inviolable Contract, Shifts Contributions from Underfunded Plan
The Senate version of House Bill 358 essentially forces quasi-governmental agencies like health departments and community mental health centers to break the inviolable contract for pensions with their current employees...
Big Cut to Bank Taxes Is Not Cleanup
With just 3 days left of the 2019 General Assembly before the veto recess, now is the time to be concerned about the appearance of last-minute legislation to benefit special...
Private School Tax Credit Math Does Not Add Up
Enacting a private school tax credit – as proposed in HB 205 – will harm Kentucky’s school districts by depriving them of vital funding and leaving the General Assembly with...
Bill Provides Huge Subsidy to Investment Companies and Does Not Require Return to Communities
The stated purpose of House Bill 203, a proposal in the 2019 General Assembly, is to encourage investment in Kentucky’s rural areas and to create and retain jobs. Although these...