FRANKFORT, Ky. — Less than two weeks remain before the anxiously awaited pension crisis deadline for regional universities and quasi-governmental agencies, like health departments and rape crisis centers. Lawmakers are also waiting to see if they will be called for a special session to fix an issue that could force some to lay off employers or close.
According to sources, Kentucky House Republicans finally have the votes on a plan which was pitched then altered by Governor Matt Bevin; however, House Majority Caucus chair Suzanne Miles insist the votes are not there.
With a deadline of July 1, several lawmakers suggest they could pass a plan in and make it retroactive to July 1, avoiding catastrophic consequences some claim will hit the roughly 120 quasi state agencies with employees in the pension system.
House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins claims his party has been left out of the debate on fixing the pension crisis for approximately 120 quasi state governmental agencies. They are calling for a freeze in the pension liability increase until next session. Republicans say that is not an option.
The governor's office released a statement by Deputy Chief of Staff Bryan which describes "positive momentum" and insists there is consensus for "real solutions.”
“We have had very constructive dialogue with members of the majority party in the House and Senate and are pleased with the positive momentum on this front. There is consensus that we need to offer real solutions, rather than continuing the history of underfunding that has put Kentucky in this situation.”
Both the Governor and Republican house members claim Democrats are not helping.
"Every proposal that has been out there, every adjustment that has been made, it has been made clear to us that the Democrats are not going to be supportive. So, the flip side to that is you could ask all the Democrats are they willing to allow a rape crisis center or a health department or any of these falter?” Rep Miles said.
"Don't go around and say let's lay it at the Democrat's feet. How do you lay it at the Democrat's feet when they have supermajorities in both chambers and they can't get the votes for the governor's bill? A bill that his own people won't vote for is piece of legislation. Let’s sit down and work together on this,” Rep. Adkins said.
If the majority can muster 51 house votes, it's expected to easily pass the Kentucky Senate.
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