Several pieces of legislation to limit or change the governor’s emergency powers have passed both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly, but likely still face challenges to become law.
The measures generally require the governor to consult with members of the Kentucky General Assembly to continue a state of emergency if it exceeds 30 days and legislators would have to be brought into the decision-making process. A special-session would be required in the nine months of the year lawmakers are not in Frankfort.
Representative Myron Dossett is pleased with the legislation, saying he wants to increase communication and doesn’t believe the legislature is actually taking tools away from the governor.
Senator Whitney Westerfield believes the governor’s pandemic mitigation measures should have been more geographically-centric based on where COVID outbreaks have been hottest at any given time and he’s confident the governor can still fight the virus with the new limitations.
Republicans in the House and Senate have the numbers to override an inevitable veto from Governor Andy Beshear, but Representative Walker Thomas expects the governor’s office to challenge all of the restrictions on emergency powers in court.
Senator Westerfield says he’s confident the bills are constitutionally sound and will be upheld against any challenges from the governor.
You can hear interviews with all three local lawmakers Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.