FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky state lawmakers will return for a 60-day legislative session with a new Republican governor, a bare-knuckle battle for control of the state House and a massive pension shortfall.
The issue sure to dominate the session that begins Tuesday in Frankfort will be how to spend $21.4 billion in tax money over the next two years. But lawmakers will have plenty of other matters to contend with along the way.
Medicaid, the option for local sales taxes, and laws on campaign finance and union membership all could be on the table. Smoking bans and start dates for children in public schools also could come up.
Some issues, like Medicaid, could be decided on partisan lines. The state House remains in control of Democrats, while Republicans hold the Senate.