FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky's Republican-dominated legislature convened Tuesday for a 30-day session that will play out against the backdrop of the state's premiere political contest — the race for governor.
Lawmakers are expected to consider legislation calling for another phased reduction in the state's individual income tax rate.
It would be a follow up to a measure enacted in 2022 that triggered a reduction of the state individual income tax rate from 5% to 4.5% at the start of this year. The ultimate goal for GOP lawmakers is to phase out individual income taxes in Kentucky.
"Certainly it does take money out of state coffers, about $600 million this year, $1.2 billion in 2024, and we happen to believe its good policy to allow the tax payers to keep more of their hard earned money," House Speaker Rep. David Osborne (R-D59) said.
Osborne expects the House could push forward with as many as three bills this week alone.
High-profile, perennial issues could resurface during the session.
Those issues include efforts to legalize, regulate and tax sports betting and resolve lingering questions over so-called gray machines — devices resembling slot machines that have spread in stores across the state.
Lawmakers also could consider another push to fully legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky.
"We just are looking for things that are helping families and helping move Kentucky forward," Minority Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson (D-District 88) said. "The priority for us is getting this very much needed medicine in the hands of patients that need it."
For some, like the newly-minted Senate Minority floor leader Sen. Gerald Neal (D-District 33), a move toward bipartisanship will be key this session.
"We have to redefine our relationships and try to move toward things that benefit the Commonwealth of Kentucky," Neal said Tuesday.
Republicans added to their supermajorities in last year's election, and the House and Senate welcomed a bevy of new lawmakers Tuesday. Lawmakers are scheduled to meet the rest of this week, then take a break before reconvening in February.
The session will continue until late March.
By then, the hotly contested Republican primary for governor will be in full gear. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who has feuded with GOP lawmakers over a series of issues, is seeking a second term.
The governor is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Commonwealth speech to the legislature and a statewide television audience Wednesday evening.
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