From The Lexington Herald-Leader: Bevin’s pension bill clears first hurdle. Monday’s House vote expected to be tight.
By JACK BRAMMER
Despite protests from Democratic members, the House State Government Committee on Saturday approved Gov. Matt Bevin’s plan to offer financial relief to regional universities and quasi-governmental agencies facing huge pension costs on an 11-8 vote and sent it to the full House for its consideration.
The sponsor of House Bill 1, Rep. James Tipton, R-Shelbyville, said he expects the House to pass the measure Monday “but maybe not by a very large margin.” Republicans claim the bill needs 51 votes to emerge from the 100-member chamber, while Democrats contend that it is a revenue bill that needs 60 votes in an odd-numbered year session.
House Democratic Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, said he is not sure how the bill will fare in the House, noting that one Republican on the committee — Rep. Tommy Turner of Somerset — voted against it.