Kentucky lawmakers override veto on ending COVID-19 emergency

On Mar 23, 2022

After Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a measure to end Kentucky’s COVID-19 state of emergency, lawmakers in the GOP-dominated legislature ignored his warnings and decided to move ahead without his backing.On Tuesday, the General Assembly announced it overrode Beshear’s veto of Senate Joint Resolution 150, which ends the state of emergency the governor signed into place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.The lawmakers said the move officially marks the end of the pandemic “two years and one day after the initial emergency declaration.”Republicans believe it’s time for the state to move forward amid ongoing improvements in the fight against the virus, while Democrats have concerns. Beshear, in vetoing the measure last week, warned that ending the measure would mean cutting off extra food aid to Kentuckians in need.Warning to lawmakers: Beshear vetoes ending COVID-19 emergency early in KentuckyAccording to Beshear’s office, the measure would cut their monthly average food stamp benefits by about $100 during a time of rising food prices. The federal government can only provide the extra benefits to states with an emergency declaration related to COVID-19, he said.Beshear urged the GOP-dominated legislature not to override his veto. Lawmakers in the House and Senate paid no attention to Beshear’s remarks.”People around the country and around the world are ending their states of emergency and the governor already signed into law a bill that ends Kentucky’s on April 14. It is disingenuous of the governor to say it is too dangerous for Kentucky to do so. The governor continues to have the authority to temporarily address any issues that arise using the emergency regulatory process, but the people of Kentucky can’t live under a state of emergency indefinitely,” House Speaker David Osborne said in a statement.What to know: Kentucky introduces new COVID-19 guidance to match CDC’sThe veto override was sent to Kentucky Secretary of State Mike Adams Tuesday morning.”Continuing to operate under a false emergency for the sake of pulling down federal dollars is simply fraudulent and unethical,” Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement.The lawmakers stressed that Beshear’s administration still has time before the session ends on April 14 to “file any necessary administrative regulations.” They said that includes seeking an extension of SNAP (food stamp) benefits if needed.The governor issued a statement on Twitter, calling the veto override — one of two — cruel.”Legislators voted to take food off the tables of hungry children and seniors at a time when groceries cost too much. They also positioned Kentucky to be one of the least helpful states for Kentucky workers who lose a job or a career at no fault of their own,” he said on Twitter.

FRANKFORT, Ky. —

On Tuesday, the General Assembly announced it overrode Beshear’s veto of Senate Joint Resolution 150, which ends the state of emergency the governor signed into place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lawmakers said the move officially marks the end of the pandemic “two years and one day after the initial emergency declaration.”

Republicans believe it’s time for the state to move forward amid ongoing improvements in the fight against the virus, while Democrats have concerns. Beshear, in vetoing the measure last week, warned that ending the measure would mean cutting off extra food aid to Kentuckians in need.

Warning to lawmakers: Beshear vetoes ending COVID-19 emergency early in Kentucky

According to Beshear’s office, the measure would cut their monthly average food stamp benefits by about $100 during a time of rising food prices. The federal government can only provide the extra benefits to states with an emergency declaration related to COVID-19, he said.

Beshear urged the GOP-dominated legislature not to override his veto. Lawmakers in the House and Senate paid no attention to Beshear’s remarks.

“People around the country and around the world are ending their states of emergency and the governor already signed into law a bill that ends Kentucky’s on April 14. It is disingenuous of the governor to say it is too dangerous for Kentucky to do so. The governor continues to have the authority to temporarily address any issues that arise using the emergency regulatory process, but the people of Kentucky can’t live under a state of emergency indefinitely,” House Speaker David Osborne said in a statement.

What to know: Kentucky introduces new COVID-19 guidance to match CDC’s

The veto override was sent to Kentucky Secretary of State Mike Adams Tuesday morning.

“Continuing to operate under a false emergency for the sake of pulling down federal dollars is simply fraudulent and unethical,” Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement.

The lawmakers stressed that Beshear’s administration still has time before the session ends on April 14 to “file any necessary administrative regulations.” They said that includes seeking an extension of SNAP (food stamp) benefits if needed.

The governor issued a statement on Twitter, calling the veto override — one of two — cruel.

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Our faith and values should compel us to be compassionate and fair, but yesterday’s veto overrides by the General Assembly were cruel and will kick struggling Kentuckians while they are down.
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— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 22, 2022

“Legislators voted to take food off the tables of hungry children and seniors at a time when groceries cost too much. They also positioned Kentucky to be one of the least helpful states for Kentucky workers who lose a job or a career at no fault of their own,” he said on Twitter.