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Pension Relief For Universities, Health Departments Still On To-Do List

Josh James
/
WUKY

One lingering issue lawmakers expect to take up on the final day of the 2019 Kentucky General Assembly deals with pension costs for what are known as “quasi-state agencies," entities like regional universities and local health departments. Some report they cannot absorb the rising costs.

Without relief, those quasi-governmental agencies could be confronted with a sudden spike in pension contributions – eating up more than three-fourths of their payroll.

Both the House and the Senate have advanced different bills to take the pressure off, but Speaker David Osborne said his chamber had reservations about the plan coming from down the hall.

"The biggest concern that our members had is they were hearing from a lot of their quasis... that they just simply could not meet the requirements that were going to be mandated under that bill," he said. 

And Senate also harbored concerns about the House bill. Both versions would have delayed the pension increases for another year and allowed universities to leave the Kentucky Retirement Systems, but the Senate also provided an off-ramp for health departments and others.

Senate President Robert Stivers says it’s likely to be a focus on the legislature’s final working day, and Osborne has sounded cautious optimistic they could reach a deal.

"I think they're pretty close, but didn't feel like they were close enough to get all the details worked out and get something through," he told reporters. 

Lawmakers return on March 28th after the governor’s veto window.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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