Fayette County school leaders attempted to raise their occupation license tax last year, as a way of patching a $16 million projected budget gap. That action was the spark that led to a long and hotly debated budget season — with members of the public, state lawmakers, and eventually the attorney general questioning the speed and manner in which the tax hike was passed.
Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, a one-time Lexington council member, said she heard the complaints loud and clear.
"Quite frankly, after last year's public debacle, I heard clearly from Fayette County residents who felt blindsided and frustrated. Their concerns are well-founded and I shared them. Raising the occupational license tax is not something to take lightly," she said.
Under her Senate Bill 76, Fayette County schools would not have the ability to raise the tax until the county reaches a higher population threshold: 500,000.
The proposal easily cleared the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee Wednesday, but not without one pass vote and a "no" vote cast by Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong.
"I don't believe in taking tools away from local government," the Democrat said. "I believe in local control and letting local communities make decisions. And so, for that reason, I think it's an important tool for local government to be able to retain."
The measure now moves to the full Senate, with more bills aimed at increasing oversight of Fayette schools expected in the coming days.
WUKY reached out to FCPS, but did not receive comment in time for broadcast.