5 Things to Watch for in the House Federal Tax Plan
Tomorrow the U.S. House is expected to release a draft bill that, by all accounts, would enact large tax cuts...
Budget & Tax
Revenue Options to Meet Obligations and Protect Investments
To meet our pension obligations and begin reinvesting in a stronger future for the commonwealth, Kentucky needs new revenue. Currently, too many tax breaks drain money that is needed to...
Congressional Plan to Cut Taxes Now and Programs Later Would Harm Kentuckians
Now that the Senate and House have both passed budget plans that include a fast-track process for tax cuts, Congress is poised to launch the first step of a likely...
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...
Film Industry Tax Credits are Growing Rapidly and Pose a Significant Threat to State Revenues
In a recent important article, the Lexington Herald-Leader examined the proliferation of Kentucky’s film industry tax credits. The state’s law allowing the credits was amended in 2015 to reduce the...
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...
Report Shows Kentucky’s Preschool and Kindergarten Programs Effective, Need Greater Investment
High quality early childhood education has long been understood to be an important investment with a significant return. While our state has done more in recent years to expand access...
Group Provides Insight Into Growth of Kentucky’s Inmate Population
The Kentucky Justice Reinvestment Work Group, which held its third meeting this week, plans to propose criminal justice reforms in December for consideration during the 2018 General Assembly. The first...
Pension Legislation Should Solve Real Problems and Avoid Harmful Consequences
Legislative leaders say they will soon share a framework for potential pension legislation the General Assembly will consider in a special session this fall. Big questions loom over the legislation,...
Level Dollar Approach Shifts Enormous Burden to Upcoming Budget
The proposed level dollar approach to funding Kentucky’s pension liabilities would shift a large burden to our upcoming state budget and ask comparatively little from budgets a couple of decades...