As Kentucky lawmakers prepare to convene for a 60-day session that will tackle pension reform and look to fill a $1 billion budget shortfall, Louisville leaders are wondering if more changes are planned for how the city's government is run.

Louisville Democrats were apoplectic when the Republican-controlled legislature unveiled a series of bills in 2017 that amended the state law that merged city and county government. It was quickly dubbed a "war on Louisville" by opponents who saw it as conservative state lawmakers trying to neutralize the liberal-leaning city.

One of the most controversial proposals, which was eventually dropped, sought to give the governor the authority to appoint a new mayor or Metro Council member in the case of a vacancy. Mayor Greg Fischer rebuffed the proposed changes, telling Courier Journal at the time it was "an insult to the people of Louisville."

Going into the 2018 legislative session, state Rep. Jerry Miller, R-Louisville, who served on the council, said his colleagues are too consumed with pension reform to worry about tweaking the city's home rule.

"Seriously, I think everyone was so sick of dealing with Louisville bills last time – U of L issue, neighborhood schools, etc. – I think we wore out our welcome," he said. Legislators "would be happy if no Louisville bills would be brought up next session."

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But an ordinance passed by Louisville Metro Council this year could disrupt the peace. The ordinance forbids city law enforcement from assisting federal agents on immigration stings.

State Rep. Lynn Bechler told Courier Journal that he is planning a bill that would strip all state funding from municipal governments and public colleges or universities that enact "sanctuary city" policies, or laws that limit cooperation with the federal government on immigration enforcement. And from Bechler's viewpoint, Louisville has done just that.

"We just would stop giving them any state funds, that's what my bill would do," said Bechler, R-Marion.

Louisville's operating budget has roughly $28.4 million, or 3 percent, in state grants, according to Fischer's office. When it comes to the city's capital budget, state dollars make up about $8.1 million, or 7 percent.

Fischer's office declined to comment on Bechler's proposal, which has yet to be filed in the state legislature. The mayor's office pointed to its legal response to similar concerns expressed by the Trump administration about the ordinance, which said nothing in the local rule fits the federal government's definition of a sanctuary city.

Other Republicans from Louisville, such as state Rep. Jason Nemes, said they are aware of Bechler's proposal and want to learn more about how the city is enforcing its new rule.

Nemes, R-Louisville, said it is a waste of local resources to go after people whose only crime is being in the U.S. illegally, but he said local law enforcement must be allowed to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"It's important when we have people who are undocumented immigrants who are committing crimes in Kentucky that our officers, whether city or state, are cooperating with federal agents to remove those people from Kentucky," he said.

Nemes said local Democrats overreacted to much of the 2017 state legislation dealing with the city. He said lawmakers have a natural interest in overseeing the city and its institutions and that they also represent residents who live in smaller suburban cities.

But Metro Council President David Yates said the state's changes had a negative impact in some areas, such as an amendment that complicated the removal of former Councilman Dan Johnson over sexual harassment allegations.

Under the legislature's changes, a vote by two-thirds of the entire council would be needed to remove an elected member. But it was unclear if that extended to counting the votes of the five council members needed to bring charges against a sitting member.

Johnson's attorney said the state's changes meant 18 votes were needed for removal from the 26-member council, while the Jefferson County Attorney's Office said only 14 votes were needed. Ultimately, the council struck a controversial deal with Johnson to remain in office and removed him after accusing him of breaking the deal.

Yates said city leaders want a clarification on how many votes are required to remove a council member or mayor. "When state lawmakers take it upon themselves to resolve local issues without working directly with us, it creates inconsistencies," he said.

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Metro Council did embrace a change giving it the ability to bestow subpoena power to different boards and commissions. It has since granted those powers to its government accountability committee and the Metro Ethics Commission.

Another change gave the council the authority to make appointments for city boards and commissions when the mayor fails to do so within a certain period.

Miller, the former council member now in the legislature, said many of the changes were needed and had been sought by Louisville leaders for years. He said his colleagues are open to clarifying any changes made to the removal of local elected officials.

Fischer spokeswoman Jean Porter said whatever further tweaks to the city’s home rule powers are proposed, the administration will "see if there is a potential impact on Louisville, good or bad, and then work with the bill sponsor to address any concerns or suggestions we have."

The mayor's office hasn't finished coming up with its agenda for the 2018 legislative session, Porter said, but "it’s safe to say that we will continue to advocate for common-sense gun laws, including enhancing penalties for a convicted felon in possession of a firearm."

Louisville police Chief Steve Conrad recently told Metro Council members, for instance, that more than half of the guns that officers with his 9th Mobile Division – which focuses on high crime areas – pulled off the streets this year were from people who had a previous felony conviction.

The state legislature convenes Jan. 2.

Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at 502-582-4475 or 502-582-4475. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/philb.