Gov. Steve Beshear has appointed a 23-member "blue ribbon commission" to study Kentucky's tax system and propose a plan for reforming it.

In a speech at the Capitol Thursday, Beshear announced the members of the bipartisan commission, which will be headed by Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson, and said it "represents a broad spectrum of private and public sector experience," including six legislators.

Members will review the state's current tax system and propose a list of recommendations by Nov. 15.

Beshear said the state needs to ensure that it has "a tax system that produces adequate revenue that meets the needs of our people."

Revenue has been growing at about 70 percent to 75 percent of the economy's growth rate, Beshear said, and the government has cut spending by $1.3 billion.

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