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From The Lexington Herald-Leader: Bevin’s pension bill clears first hurdle. Monday’s House vote expected to be tight.

Berry Craig
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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.

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