Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Monday that he would pause COVID-19 press conferences as the state’s numbers continuously decline.
“While we still have some struggles … things continue to move in the right direction, and they are continuing to move at a regular pace,” Beshear said. “That means cases, positivity rate, all declining, as well as hospitalizations, those in the hospital and ICU, and those on ventilators. Every metric in the right direction.”
Beshear highlighted a map of Kentucky that showed counties and were based on color. Most of the northern and southwestern portions of Kentucky were green, which meant that COVID numbers were at healthy levels. Most Eastern Kentucky counties were red, meaning they still had high case numbers but were likely to decrease.
But, while Beshear plans to end the COVID pressers, he has been reluctant to end the COVID State of Emergency in Kentucky, which the legislature is seeking to do through Senate Joint Resolution 150.
If so, it could potentially cost $50 million in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program) Benefits, as federal funds have been pouring into the state via the CARES Act and ARPA Funds. In order for the state to receive those extra funds, a state of emergency must be declared.
“Senate Joint Resolution 150 is politics at its worst,” Beshear said. “It will take food off the tables of more than a half-million Kentuckians, most of them struggling seniors and struggling children.”
Beshear said that the federal government is providing these extra benefits because COVID hasn’t just hit us in terms of health. It has hit supply chains, which has caused the price of food to increase.
“As the Governor evaluates Senate Joint Resolution 150, which is legislation expiring the COVID-19 State of Emergency effective upon his signature or the General Assembly’s potential veto override, it is important to note that he already agreed to end his two-year State of Emergency on April 14 as evidenced by his signature to Senate Bill 25 on January 14,” said Senate President Robert Stivers in a statement. ‘While SJR 150 ends the emergency a month earlier than SB 25, it also explicitly states that the General Assembly has no intent to impair or delay the ability of the Commonwealth to receive any federal stimulus or pandemic-related funds or services.’”
The resolution is sitting on Beshear’s desk, and he signaled there would be movement later this week. If he vetoes, the legislature can override due to a supermajority in both chambers. Stivers noted that the Governor is welcome to come to him.
“It certainly sounds like someone saying they wouldn’t have robbed the bank if the security guard would’ve stopped him,” Beshear said.
“While the Governor claims his signature on an executive order declaring a State of Emergency is the only remedy that can secure extended pandemic-related SNAP benefits, we note that a Statement of Emergency is provided through the emergency administrative regulation process,” Stiver said. “The Governor still uses his pen to sign the Statement of Emergency on the regulation, and the public is afforded the opportunity to engage in public hearings with adequate legislative oversight.”
