Lawmakers reach deal on tax oversight bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - House and Senate negotiators have worked out a tentative agreement on a bill that would strengthen accountability of Kentucky's 1,200-plus taxing districts that collect revenue for a variety of local government entities ranging from fire departments to libraries.

The measure could receive final passage as early as Tuesday.

The original proposal in the Democratic-led House called for more oversight of the districts, requiring them to file annual financial reports and create an online state registry. But the Senate, which has a Republican majority, amended the bill to go further, giving county officials the ability to veto increases in taxes and fees.

The breakthrough in negotiations came when the Senate agreed to strike the veto language from the bill.

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