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Jody Richards: Reflections of a Kentucky Statesman

Credit Jody Richards' Facebook

When Legislators convene the 2019 session of the Kentucky General Assembly on Jan. 8, one prominent Democrat will be absent.  After more than 40 years of service to the Commonwealth, Representative Jody Richards begins his retirement.  The former House Speaker and Democratic gubernatorial candidate says there are many challenges facing lawmakers, but one issue is critical.

"The most important issue facing the Commonwealth always is education  - elementary, secondary, and higher - that’s the main function of state government," Richards said. "We spend somewhere around 55 percent of the state budget on education, so to me that is such an important part of state government.”

Representative Richards thinks a pension compromise is doable.  The Bowling Green native represented the 20th District of Kentucky for 42 years, 14 of which were spent as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He also made two unsuccessful runs for governor on the Democratic ticket.

You can listen to an extended interview with Jody Richards here:

jodyrichards_extra.mp3

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