Kentucky Rep. Chad McCoy to Retire at End of Current Term

By BRUCE SCHREINER, Related Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky state Rep. Chad McCoy, a member of the Home management staff who helped navigate a constitution faculties invoice into legislation, stated he’ll retire from the legislature when his present time period ends.

The Bardstown Republican introduced his choice Thursday night time, shortly after lawmakers ended their 60-day session. McCoy was usually on the forefront of the session, pushing for the contentious invoice to launch constitution faculties in Kentucky and provide them with funding.

“I’ve stated all alongside that I’ve no intention to grow to be a profession politician and the time has come to maneuver on to the subsequent chapter,” McCoy, 51, stated in a information launch.

McCoy, an legal professional, was elected to the Home in 2016 and was chosen by his GOP colleagues as majority whip in 2018. His main function as whip was to construct consensus amongst Home Republicans on precedence points.

Home Speaker David Osborne credited McCoy’s function in passing one other signature GOP precedence this yr — a measure revamping the state’s tax code. The measure is aimed toward regularly phasing out particular person revenue taxes whereas extending the state gross sales tax to extra providers.

“You’ll be able to’t exaggerate the function Chad has performed in crafting the insurance policies that play a big function in our potential to cross laws like a tax modernization package deal that can quickly permit Kentuckians to maintain extra of their hard-earned cash by eliminating the revenue tax,” Osborne stated. “Whereas I’m saddened by his choice to retire, I want him the perfect.”

The constitution faculties and tax modernization payments have been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Republican lawmakers overrode each vetoes this week.

The constitution faculties invoice units up a long-term funding technique for charters. Public charters, like conventional public faculties, would obtain a mixture of native and state tax assist. It additionally requires not less than two constitution faculties be created beneath pilot initiatives — one in Louisville and one in northern Kentucky.

McCoy and different supporters stated constitution faculties would give mother and father extra decisions for his or her youngsters’s education. Opponents stated charters would divert funding from conventional public faculties.

McCoy, whose district is within the coronary heart of Kentucky bourbon nation, additionally was a number one advocate for laws benefiting the state’s bourbon trade.

McCoy will proceed his legislative duties till his time period concludes on the finish of this yr.

His retirement leaves two Republicans competing for his seat within the Could main election. No Democrat filed for the seat.

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