Kentucky lawmakers return to Frankfort Monday to take up several vetoes of bills made by Governor Beshear. A freshman Senator says this so-called short session has been very busy.
Harlan Attorney Johnnie Turner is finishing up his first session in the 38-member Senate. Turner also served for four years in the Kentucky House from 1999 to 2003. The eastern Kentucky lawmaker doesn’t characterize Governor Beshear’s actions regarding coronavirus as an “over-reach”, but he does wish the governor would consult legislators more. “And you know sometimes a number of brains in a number of heads collectively can make a better decision than one individual. Now, I’m not criticizing the governor and saying he’s not a smart man or anything. I’m just saying that’s a literal fact that we all as human beings know,” said Turner.
Turner said there are divergent communities across the Commonwealth, saying eastern Kentucky is different than Louisville or Lexington. The Harlan Senator noted he feels appropriate health safety measures have been used during the 2021 legislative session.
The eastern Kentucky lawmaker said he favors giving the general assembly the ability to call itself into session during emergency situations.
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