The power of Kentucky governors to commute and pardon sentences for criminal acts has been widely discussed since former Governor Matt Bevin gave relief to several convicted sex offenders and murderers in his final days in office and local lawmakers expect legislation this year to restrict the timetable on when governors can issue such orders.
Appearing on the WHOP Legislative Preview Show, state Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County says legislation filed by Senator Chris McDaniel would create a constitutional amendment to eliminate pardoning powers for the month leading up to an election, and for the time between an election and the swearing-in of a new governor.
Westerfield says while most agree that the pardons of sex offenders and murderers were bad decisions, former Governor Bevin did make some good pardons for individuals who had already been out of prison for some time and who had not committed new offenses.
Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke would support Senator McDaniel’s bill and expects it to pass both chambers in 2020.
Representative Walker Thomas notes that pardons and commutations undo the work of judges and juries and says he will enter the 2020 session with an open mind to legislation regarding that power.
Any constitutional amendment would have to be approved on an election ballot to become official.
You can hear local legislators discuss pardons, the biennial budget and other potential bills that could come up in the session during our program Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.