The 2016 Kentucky General Assembly session is underway in Frankfort. Senate majority leaders say they will unveil their legislative agenda Wednesday.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer says priority bills are likely to focus on issues such as right to work, medical review of malpractice claims, repealing prevailing wage, and religious freedom.
"It’s going to look very similar to the priority list that we’ve passed the last several years and very similar to the campaign platform that Governor Bevin ran on last fall,” said Thayer.
As state lawmakers gather in Frankfort for the 60 day session, passage of a new two year budget will be a major priority. Senate President Robert Stivers says although revenues are growing at a good rate, Governor Bevin still has his work cut out for him. “It’s going to be a daunting task for the governor, whether it was this governor or any governor that may have come in, to balance this budget,” Stivers said.
Former Governor Steve Beshear said there would be a budget surplus by the end of the fiscal year. Stivers says high costs tied to state pension and Medicaid issues far outweigh any money set aside in surplus.
The Senate President said Senate Bill One, often regarded as the highest priority, will be education related.
