KEA Calls for Tax Reform

This from H-L:

Coalition of agencies asks for major tax reform

FRANKFORT — A coalition of social service and nonprofit groups called on Gov. Steve Beshear Thursday to push for comprehensive tax reform as a long-term fix to the state's ongoing budget woes.

The announcement came on the same day legislative leaders said a special joint meeting of the House and Senate budget committees on June 4 will hear testimony on two tax reform bills.

Still, it remains unlikely major tax reforms will be considered during a possible special legislative session this summer. Beshear has previously said an overhaul of the state's tax system to fix a potential $1 billion shortfall is unlikely...

"We know we have to do something," said Rep. Bill Farmer, R-Lexington, an author of one of the tax reform bills. "Is there motivation for real reform? Not without real leadership."

The Kentucky Forward Coalition — made up of such groups as Kentuckians for The Commonwealth, Jobs with Justice, the Kentucky Education Association and the Kentucky Council of Churches — said in a conference call on Thursday that for too long Kentucky has depended on one-time Band-Aids to fix long-term budget problems.

Despite Beshear's reluctance to tackle tax reform, organizers said they hope to use grass-roots tactics to persuade legislative leaders and Beshear to make major changes in the way Kentucky raises revenue...