Greetings KRTA Family:
Happy New Year to all our KRTA Family. I hope you are doing well and looking forward to 2026!
We have officially begun our 2026 General Assembly and KRTA staff, lobbyists and legislative volunteers have already been closely following current activities.
2026 is a budget year, and we are anxiously awaiting the release of the House and Senate Budgets. Governor Beshear has released his budget. His 2026 budget fully funds the teachers’ pension and retiree medical benefits by providing an additional $171.7 million in fiscal year 2027 and an additional $212.2 million in fiscal year 2028 for the pension plan. The Commonwealth’s “shared responsibility” portion of funding the medical benefits requires an additional $16.4 million in fiscal year 2027 and $28.2 million in fiscal year 2028.
Our Legislative team has had conversations with Senate and House leadership, and all indications points towards full funding of the pension and health insurance. We continue to be thankful for their support.
The bill filing deadline isn’t until early March. I will update you on any bills that may impact our priorities and other education bills as they get filed.
There have been a few bills filed that would have an impact on retired teachers.
This bill would amend KRA 141.019 to increase retirement distributions exclusion from $31,110 to $41,110 for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
KRTA FULLY SUPPORTS THIS BILL AND WILL BE WATCHING IT CLOSELY
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