Pension proposal mired in legislative gridlock

Updated: Fri 1:39 PM, Mar 01, 2013

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Democratic-controlled House and Republican-led Senate have become mired in gridlock that threatens a proposed overhaul of Kentucky's pension system for government retirees.

Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo challenged Senate Republicans on Monday to "put on their big boy pants." Otherwise, Stumbo said, the pension system's financial problems won't be resolved in the current legislative session, which has only eight working days remaining.

Lawmakers had begun the legislative session promising a new day of bipartisan cooperation.

The Senate rejected the House's proposals to shore up the pension system, and sent them back to the House to be readdressed. The House refused.

Republican Senate Floor Leader Damon Thayer said the House's refusal jeopardizes work on pension reform. He said the Senate is willing "to meet in the middle" with the House.

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