Some will pay more under Kentucky's tax overhaul, Bevin says

(AP) — Some people will have to pay more under a proposal to overhaul Kentucky's tax code, a move the state's Republican governor said is necessary to rescue it from a crushing multibillion dollar pension debt.

Lawmakers have debated changing how Kentucky taxes its residents and businesses for years, most recently after the Great Recession forced the state to slash spending by more than $1.6 billion.

Bevin said Republican lawmakers are working "behind the scenes" with people in "private business" to come up with a plan.

Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer said he is "not for or against anything," but said the tax code needs to bring in more money by creating more jobs.

Bevin, who did not read from a prepared text, used most of his speech to remind people what the legislature has already done, including banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and outlawing mandatory labor union dues.

Some Democrats oppose Bevin's charter school plans, saying it would take money and resources away from Kentucky's traditional public schools.