After a local option sales tax bill failed last year in the state legislature, Kentucky tea party members are urging Republican lawmakers to block what House Democrats are calling their number one priority for the 2015 session.
Republican House Leader Jeff Hoover was a co-sponsor of the bill last year, which received two readings and several floor amendments before stalling without a vote. In an open letterreleased Monday, the United Kentucky Tea Party calls for Hoover to withdraw his support for the bill, which they say is an affront to GOP values and his own pledge to work against new taxes.
"Based on your position as House Minority Leader, we also expect that you will use your influence to persuade other Republican House members to reject and oppose this bill," the letter says.
Hoover could not be reached for comment Monday.
The bill would allow cities or counties to, after a vote, impose tax levies in order to fund local capital projects. The measure has been championed by Gov. Steve Beshear, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and several local leaders through the LIFT Kentucky initiative.
The 2015 session begins Tuesday.
