Democrats meet to discuss pensions, health care

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky House Democrats have held an election-year special meeting to discuss the state’s public pension crisis and a proposal from Gov. Matt Bevin to change the Medicaid program.

Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo invited all 100 House members to attend the meeting, which he said was meant to be an informational session so members could get more background on these complex issues to discuss them with constituents.

But Republicans boycotted the meeting, calling it a stunt whose sole purpose was to use taxpayer money to pay for members’ travel to Frankfort on the same day as a Democratic fundraiser.

Stumbo said members would be paid $188.22 for the day, but only if they wanted to. Democrats held a closed caucus meeting in the afternoon at the state Democratic Party headquarters.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.