Legislators react to end of session, Gov’s remarks

Sen. Whitney Westerfield/file photo

Three local legislators say the 2018 session of the Kentucky General Assembly that ended Saturday was a success and they are condemning remarks Gov. Matt Bevin made about teachers who rallied in Frankfort Friday.

Dozens of Kentucky school systems, including Christian County, closed Friday as teachers rallied in Frankfort for education funding in the state budget.

Speaking to media in Frankfort, Governor Bevin said….

Appearing on this week’s WHOP Legislative Update program, Republican Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke distances himself from Gov. Bevin’s remarks in no uncertain terms.

Senator Whitney Westerfield of Hopkinsville, who is running for Kentucky Attorney General in 2019, calls the governor’s remarks “reprehensible.”

Representative Walker Thomas says he had a good experience meeting with teachers in his district this weekend and believes Gov. Bevin’s remarks were harmful.

Regarding the end to a session that saw lawmakers approve a budget, tax reform, pension reform and put a constitutional amendment for a crime victim’s bill of rights on the ballot—Senator Westerfield calls it successful as a whole.

Both chambers overrode Governor Bevin’s vetoes of the budget and tax reform on the final two days of session and Representative Dossett says it had to be done.

Lawmakers also overrode the veto on legislation phasing in increases in payments to the pension system for cities, counties, school systems and other entities and Representative Thomas says that was necessary to avoid major consequences.

Hear lawmakers discuss these topics and more Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.