Beshear Focuses on Pension, Tax Reform in State of the Commonwealth Address
By: Chris Veech
Updated: February 6, 2013
The governor addresses the Bluegrass State tonight hoping lawmakers can work together to move Kentucky forward. Governor Steve Beshear took the podium tonight in Frankfort to present his State of the Commonwealth address. Beshear used the speech to focus on the commonwealth's tax code and its employee pension plans.
Legislators have expressed doubt they can tackle a complicated issue like tax reform in 30 days, but Beshear argues that pension reform cannot be undertaken without tax reform that would bring millions of dollars to the state. He says he will call legislators back to Frankfort later this year to forge the reforms.
"We've already been six days into this 30-day session," said Governor Beshear. "It's 20 percent over. There's not a lot of time. And so, the agenda I'm setting forth is not only for this short session, but also for the year ahead."
The Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform recommends more than 50 changes to the tax code that would add $650 million to Kentucky's $9 billion annual budget.
Legislators have expressed doubt they can tackle a complicated issue like tax reform in 30 days, but Beshear argues that pension reform cannot be undertaken without tax reform that would bring millions of dollars to the state. He says he will call legislators back to Frankfort later this year to forge the reforms.
"We've already been six days into this 30-day session," said Governor Beshear. "It's 20 percent over. There's not a lot of time. And so, the agenda I'm setting forth is not only for this short session, but also for the year ahead."
The Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform recommends more than 50 changes to the tax code that would add $650 million to Kentucky's $9 billion annual budget.
