A bill to block efforts to raise Fayette County's occupational tax anytime soon is gaining momentum in Frankfort.

Senator Amanda Mae Bledsoe's Senate Bill 76, is in response to the local school board's action last year to raise the tax, only to have it swatted down by the state attorney general, who said it was unconstitutional.

The measure sparked a spirited and intense debate on the Senate floor this morning, with Republicans taking jabs at Fayette County Public Schools and its superintendent, Demetrius Liggins.

Our Makenzie Spink has more.

Senate Bill 76 would prevent a county from raising the occupational license tax rate unless it has a population of at least 500,000.

Currently, Jefferson County is the state's only county that meets that threshold.

Last year, the Fayette County School Board approved a tax hike to mitigate a $16 million budget deficit.

It did not advance because of a ruling by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman.

This proposal offers a pause for stability and confidence for employees and employers while we work through the audit process and give a school board administration space to rebuild its relationship with our community.

I will add that the administration is taking some action to right the ship.

They have made changes to the budget, not only reduced administrative bloat, add a new lines of staff accountability, and established new committees with external members which will add in community support and engagement.

Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas argued that the district's overall academic performance is what matters most.

As an example, he said, Fayette County students outperformed every state except for Wyoming on the Act.

Liggins is the 2026 Kentucky Superintendent of the year and is one of four finalists for the national recognition.

Senator Thomas says the county's tax raising authority should remain a local decision.

And has been set by some.

And I just find this really interesting that while Fayette County does have a great school system, it has poor leadership at the highest echelons that leaders have done an outstanding job.

And the Fayette County community has embraced his leadership.

And there's been no outcry.

As we've heard, there's been no outcry by the business community or high level people, high level to, you know, Ashworth resignation or demand that he he leave.

We're going to lose $15 million by virtue of this passage of this bill today.

Senator Chris McDaniel, who chairs the chamber's budget panel, didn't hesitate to clap back.

We didn't seek this issue.

This issue found us.

The outcry is from the citizens of Fayette County.

The outcry is from the middle class people who go to work every day, who make a good living, who are not allowed to speak at a meeting, to whom it is an affront.

That in the darkness of night, attack should be imposed upon them with no input.

The outcry wasn't just there.

It was immense.

It just didn't come from the very few powerful in the educational establishment who think that they're entitled to the tax dollars of everyday Kentuckians without ever being questioned.

The State Auditor's office has not yet finished its audit of FcPS finances, and an external audit initiated by the district is also under way.

Senate Bill 76 passed on the floor today along party lines.

It will now head to the House for consideration for Kentucky Edition on McKinsey.

Spink.