Record-Breaking Failure to Raise the Minimum Wage Is Holding Back Kentucky
This week marks the longest period in history the federal government has failed to increase the minimum wage, which has...
Economic Security
Systemic Barriers Continue to Hold Back Wages and Employment for Kentuckians of Color
On the 154th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, barriers to thriving for black Kentuckians are still deeply entrenched. Data on wages and unemployment in Kentucky show that discrimination and...
Pension Proposal Steers Quasi-Governmental Organizations Toward Breaking Promise to Current Employees
A new pension proposal from the governor’s office pushes quasi-governmental organizations to leave the retirement system in ways that are still very expensive to them, and even less affordable if...
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 commonwealth. KCEP’s careful analysis of Kentucky data and the research...
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...
Evidence from Kentucky Should Serve as Warning Against Food Assistance Restriction Rule
Click here for a PDF version of our full comments on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s February 1, 2019 Proposed Rule The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps 566,900 Kentuckians put...
Letter to Legislators: Quasis Need True Relief
Dear Representative/Senator, As you consider how to provide needed relief for quasi-governmental agencies facing substantial pension increases, it is important to do so in ways that do not break legal...
Watch Out for Attack on Pensions on Session’s Final Day
The General Assembly adjourned for the veto period without providing relief from soon-to-spike pension costs to quasi-governmental organizations like regional universities and community mental health centers. The legislature can still...
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...
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...