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Lawmaker Eyes 2013 for Possible Tax Reform

Rep. Bill Farmer

By Stu Johnson - Kentucky Public Radio

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- – Fayette County state representative Bill Farmer thinks 2013 is the best chance to change the state's tax system. Farmer, who has offered his own tax reform plan previously, says 2013 is a non-election year, which might make lawmakers more open to tough votes on taxes.

Farmer says a challenging economy could also work in favor of making some changes

"With the economy moving as slow as it is, maybe they will be motivated more so if there's a little more growth in the economy to look at restructuring the tax system.

Some Kentucky mayors have asked the state for permission to increase local sales taxes. That would need a constitutional amendment.

"Realistically, to make it work we would have to set it at a rate and say everybody can have one percent, because what we don't need is communities vying against each other on a half percent sales tax differential to get people to come to their community to shop."

Farmer has previously proposed doing away with the state's income tax system and for increasing the state's sales tax by one percent.

Early this legislative session the Senate approved a one year study on tax reform. It failed to move in the House.