The Kentucky House of Representatives has transpired a bill that will allow businesses and schools to reopen throughout the coronavirus pandemic once they follow federal guidelines, even if that goes against Gov. Andy Beshear's orders.
House Bill 1 still must distribute of the state Senate before it can become law. The Republican-led legislature could easily override a veto by Beshear if he were to achieve this.
Rep. Steve Rudy, a Republican from Paducah, said that more businesses and schools ought to be open and criticized the governor's approach.
“We would like to know as an insurance policy making branch, why on the planet he's doing this. The CDC may be the defacto standard, the CDC says schools should be open,” Rudy said.
The bill would also allow family visitation for kids in foster care throughout the pandemic (such visits were temporarily suspended in November, but have resumed) and waive interest on businesses’ unemployment insurance bills until next year.
The is through one of several racing to passage during the first week of the year's legislative session that will alter the governor's power amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The bill allows businesses and schools to spread out once they “meet or exceed” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, climax unclear which recommendations lawmakers want followed.
The CDC provides several strategies for how schools and businesses can try to operate throughout the pandemic, though it also recommends that people shelter in place whenever possible if they live in an area where the virus is spreading uncontrollably.
Currently, 114 of Kentucky's 120 counties are considered to possess uncontrolled spread from the virus, meaning you will find at least 25 cases per 100,000 people.
Rep. Patti Minter, a Democrat from Bowling Green, asserted Republicans were ceding power to the federal government.
“I think we have to become more deliberative as we fight this war against COVID, because if we don't win the war against COVID, none of us win. Our businesses don't stay open, and many of us don't survive,” Minter said.
Leaders from the Republican-led legislature have waived requirements that typically slow down passage of bills, meaning House Bill 1 and a handful of other measures could be headed to the governor's desk on Saturday if lawmakers continue to move quickly.
Other fast-tracked bills include House Bill 2, which may give Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron capacity to enforce abortion regulations, Senate Bill 1, which would require the governor to obtain approval in the legislature to increase emergency orders beyond 30 days, and Senate Bill 9, the so-called “born alive” abortion bill.
