Legislation that would change how Kentucky hires transportation secretaries passed out of the state Senate last week and now awaits action in the House.
Senate Bill 4 would establish a Kentucky Transportation Board. The board would be responsible for submitting a list of transportation secretary candidates from which the governor would have to choose. The governor’s choice would also have to be confirmed by the Senate.
The governor can currently hire whoever he or she wants for the job.
Senator Whitney Westerfield supported the legislation and hopes it’s a step toward taking politics out of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as much as possible.
Representative Myron Dossett says he is not inclined to support the bill, but does believe decisions regarding transportation should be a balance between the governor and General Assembly.
Senate Bill 4 states one of the transportation board’s first responsibilities will be to begin the process for the selection of a cabinet secretary. The current transportation secretary could be considered for the job but wouldn’t be guaranteed a re-appointment.