Kentucky Lawmakers Change Schedule to Avoid Special Session

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Kentucky House and Senate leaders have changed the schedule of this year's legislative session to avoid a special session.

A potential—and costly—special session has loomed over the General Assembly in recent days, as lawmakers continued work on pension reform. Instead of convening Friday, lawmakers will work on Tuesday, with hopes that talks started Thursday night could lead to an agreement on pension reform by then.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo says those talks have included the Governor and Senate leaders. 

"The only conversation that we've had with them has obviously revolved around pensions, funding of pension liabilities and just a brief conversation about redistricting," he says.

Pension reforms are expected to cost millions of dollars. And the House has maintained that any reforms much be paired with a payment plan. The Senate, however, wants to deal with funding next year, when lawmakers consider a new state budget.

But despite those differences, Senate President Robert Stivers says he's confident a compromise can be reached soon.

"Very optimistic, everybody's willing to talk, have dialogue, discuss the issues," he says.