Beshear looks for common ground on tax reform

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Gov. Steve Beshear is searching for common ground that could produce a package of tax reforms when lawmakers convene in Frankfort on Tuesday for a 30-day legislative session.

The second-term Democrat told The Associated Press that he believes people have come to realize Kentucky needs more revenue and that he's hopeful lawmakers will take action.

A commission appointed by Beshear last year to recommend tax reforms proposed a model that would generate about $690 million a year in additional revenue.

Beshear had asked the commission to recommend a simpler tax code that would generate enough revenue to meet the state's needs even during economic recessions, the last of which led to about $1.6 billion in state budget cuts.

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