House forging ahead with redistricting proposals

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Despite a request from Gov. Steve Beshear to put off redistricting until later this year, state House Speaker Greg Stumbo is moving forward with getting proposals on the divisive issue.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Stumbo sent a letter to House members asking them to submit proposed boundaries for new legislative districts by Feb. 1.

Stumbo said after the proposals come in, lawmakers would decide whether to try to tackle redistricting during the 2013 General Assembly, which resumes on Feb. 5 and is set to end March 26.

Beshear said delaying the redistricting issue would allow lawmakers to devote more time to reforming the state's pension program for government retirees and for reforming the state's tax code. He raised the specter of a special legislative session to deal with redistricting.

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