The Kentucky House Budget Committee has acted to make revenue modifications, partly focusing on sales taxes and exemptions. The changes are contained in a bill numbering well over a hundred pages. The language of the legislation has been inserted into another existing bill. Budget Committee Chair Jason Petrie was asked about the process. After the meeting, he said most of the items in the bill are, quote, “well-worn issues.”
“So, maybe not new ground. We try to include as many people as we can moving forward. But, as you know you don’t want to catch bad swirl and bad information. You want it to come out straight the first time. So, that people have a better chance of understanding it,” said Petry.
Petrie testified that he doesn’t like constant tinkering with tax items but said these have been deemed necessary to get to them now.
The bill easily passed out of committee. One of those voting "no" was Louisville Representative Josie Raymond. She said it’s not a good idea to implement new sales tax exemptions when there’s uncertainty about funding obligations.
“You knew every year we’re adding new services here we’ve got a bill where we’re out some that have just been added. You know, adding a few others and then taking out some that have been there for a little bit. Often that’s about who has the loudest voice,” said Raymond.
The committee also approved legislation to allow for a six percent across-the-board salary increase for state workers.
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