special session

Pension reform legislation - passage of which is the reason for this week's special legislative session - quickly zipped through the House's state government commitee today.

Polwatchers reports the bill was debated for just an one and a half hours in committee before it was sent to the House floor, where it will be considered over the course of the next two days. The bill is then expected to hit the state Senate.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) called the special session in Frankfort to address shortcomings in the state pension system. House and Senate leadership have already agreed to the draft legislation in question - a pre-condition of Beshear calling the session - making a brief stay in Frankfort likely for legislators.

Beshear will address a joint session of the House and Senate at 7pm tonight with regard to the legislation.

Gov. Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) made it official this afternoon - the Kentucky state legislature will meet for a short special session to consider the pension reform package upon which House and Senate leadership are said to have largely agreed.

"The current condition of the public employee pension systems in Kentucky puts the retirement of Kentucky's teachers, firefighters, police officers, emergency workers and city, county and state employees at risk," said Beshear in a statement released today. "These people have worked hard and earned the right to be financially secure when they retire. The reforms that the House and Senate leadership and I have agreed to will go a long way toward placing the pension systems on a sound financial footing."