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Debate in Kentucky over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Kentucky in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in Kentucky

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Kentucky.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (Wave 3 News): Governor Andy Beshear argued that Indiana’s re-opening plan, which allowed for a faster re-opening than Kentucky’s, posed a public health risk to Kentuckians.

    "I think less about the competitive disadvantage because we’re maybe a couple weeks behind and more about the health risk that may be imposed. … Let’s not drive to other states because they’re doing something earlier, if we think we have done it better." - "GLI calls plans to reopen Kentucky and Indiana ‘disjointed’," May 4, 2020.

  • U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman (WCPO): Judge William O. Bertelsman ruled that Kentucky’s prohibition of interstate travel was unconstitutional, but upheld the ban on mass gatherings.

    "The restrictions infringe on the basic right of citizens to engage in interstate travel, and they carry with them criminal penalties. … The 'constitutional right to travel from one State to another’ is firmly embedded in our jurisprudence." - "Judge upholds Ky. mass gathering ban but rules travel ban unconstitutional," May 4, 2020.

  • Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, President and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. (Wave 3 News): Sarah Davasher-Wisdom called on the governors of Kentucky and Indiana to coordinate their re-opening plans.

    "We were under the impression that there would be a coordinated timeline that aligned. … We have businesses in our region that really have no concept on when they can reopen, like restaurants. … We’re not saying one state is right or wrong, we’re simply saying that we need to be coordinated." - "GLI calls plans to reopen Kentucky and Indiana ‘disjointed’," May 4, 2020.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (Kentucky.gov): Governor Andy Beshear announced a plan to re-open the economy in phases, beginning with the re-opening of health care facilities for non-urgent services on April 27, 2020.

    "Doing this right is about saving lives, making employees safe and making sure the people they serve are safe when we reopen." - "Gov. Beshear: Phase 1 Health Care Services Will Begin Reopening Monday," April 23, 2020.

  • Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (Courier Journal): Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said that a 14-day decrease in the number of coronavirus cases would be a pre-condition for lifting the lockdown.

    "That's a long enough duration to feel confident enough that it's not just a day-to-day variation, but a real trend." - "How will Kentucky's economy reopen? Beshear provides 7 benchmarks," April 17, 2020.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (Office of the Governor): Governor Andy Beshear (D) identified several factors that would guide the re-opening of the state's economy. These included a two-week decline in the number of cases, the availability of personal protective equipment, testing capacity, and the progress of vaccine development, among others. Beshear said that Kentucky would follow federal guidance for re-opening.

    "We believe our approach is very much in line with the White House. The plan put out by the White House has certain thresholds that states should meet before we start taking certain steps. … The benchmarks are being driven by public health. We are all on the same page about what keeps people safe." - "Gov. Beshear Outlines 7 Benchmarks to Reopen Commonwealth’s Economy," April 17, 2020.

  • State Rep. Jerry Miller (R-36) (MSN): The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill (SB 136) that would open chiropractor offices and require industry groups to create safety guidelines for re-opening and present them to Governor Andy Beshear. State Rep. Jerry Miller (R-36) defended the bill, which was not taken up by the Kentucky Senate.

    "The piece I’m working on does not tell the governor what to do. It just directs the boards to come up with a plan to present to the governor." - "New bill would reopen chiropractors. Boards would make plans for other businesses.," April 16, 2020.

  • Scott Hofstra, spokesman for the United Kentucky Tea Party (Courier Journal): A grassroots group called Kentucky is Open for Business protested Governor Andy Beshear’s stay-at-home-order in Frankfort on April 15, 2020. Scott Hofstra, spokesman for the United Kentucky Tea Party, explained why he supported the protest.

    "People are frustrated, and they're not having input on this at all because the governor is dictating. … The governor is putting a higher priority on locking the entire state down for a virus that, as of a day or so ago, had a death rate that is 1/6th of the traffic accidents in Kentucky." - "Kentucky protesters plan demonstration to express dislike of Beshear's COVID-19 restrictions," April 16, 2020.

  • Protesters (Courier Journal): Protesters demonstrated in Frankfort on April 25, 2020, demanding that Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) act to pressure Governor Andy Beshear (D) to re-open the economy. - "Angry protesters appear in Frankfort today. This time, they're mad at AG Daniel Cameron," April 25, 2020.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (IndyStar): Governor Andy Beshear said he supported a regional approach to re-opening Kentucky’s economy and would coordinate with the governors of Ohio and Indiana. He argued that coronavirus could spread further if neighboring states lifted restrictions at different paces. - "Kentucky Gov. says lifting coronavirus restrictions will be in 'lockstep' with Ohio, Indiana," April 14, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Two Kentucky mayors submit plans to Beshear for re-opening their local economies" - Lexington Harold Leader, April 21, 2020


Debate over school closures in Kentucky

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Kentucky.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over religious service restrictions in Kentucky

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Kentucky.

  • Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) (Twitter): Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) said that he supported allowing both drive-in and in-person religious services.

    "Churches should have the same flexibility as secular groups to resume operations, in accordance with social distancing guidelines. If big box stores and liquor stores can do it, churches should be allowed to also. As the court said, 'Why is it safe to wait in a car for a liquor store to open but dangerous to wait in a car to hear morning pastors? Why can someone safely walk down a grocery store aisle but not a pew? Why can someone safely interact with a brave deliverywoman but not a stoic minister?'" - "Attorney General Daniel Cameron Twitter," May 2, 2020.

  • Crystal Staley, spokeswoman for Governor Andy Beshear (D) (Washington Examiner): The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Governor Andy Beshear could not prohibit drive-in religious services. The court declined to grant an injunction allowing in-person religious services. Crystal Staley said that the ruling upheld Beshear’s position, which was that the stay-at-home order prohibited in-person, but not drive-in religious services.

    "While Maryville Baptist claimed that the governor banned drive-in services, he clearly did not. The governor has allowed and even encouraged hundreds of drive-in services across Kentucky. … He explicitly encouraged them for Easter at his daily news conferences and on calls with local leaders and clergy. … What the 6th Circuit decided is that drive-in services are OK, but the governor's order prohibiting in-person services remains in effect. That has been the governor’s exact policy since the beginning." - "Appeals court rules Kentucky lockdown measures can't stop drive-in church services," May 2, 2020.

  • Maryville Baptist Church (WHAS 11): Maryville Baptist Church requested a temporary restraining order that would allow them to hold in-person services despite Governor Andy Beshear’s executive order prohibiting mass gatherings. In the lawsuit, they argued that the order targeted religious gatherings.

    "[Beshear allowed] so-called 'life sustaining' commercial and non-religious entities to accommodate large gatherings...without scrutiny." - "Federal judge denies Kentucky church's restraining order request against ban of mass gatherings," April 19, 2020.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (WDRB): Maryville Baptist Church requested a temporary restraining order that would allow them to hold in-person services despite Governor Andy Beshear’s executive order prohibiting mass gatherings. U.S. District Judge David Hale denied the request. Governor Andy Beshear defended the ruling.

    "To my knowledge, every other church in Kentucky is holding either virtual or drive-in services, and we're one of a handful of states that allows drive-in services because we want to make sure that everybody can have that opportunity to worship. … I just mention that, at this church, there is a drive-up option and there is a virtual option. I just wish that everyone would select that because it would mean that everybody is being safe in what they're doing." - "Federal judge denies Kentucky church's request for restraining order against governor's order prohibiting mass gatherings," April 19, 2020.

  • Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) (Wave 3 News): On Fire Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky sued the city of Louisville, arguing that Kentucky’s stay-at-home order violated its First Amendment right to hold drive-through services. Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) filed an amicus brief in support of the church, arguing that the order was unconstitutional because it targeted religious services.

    "Arbitrarily targeting the practice of religion, as the Beshear administration’s order does, plainly violates the First Amendment. As long as business operations are allowed to continue during the pandemic while following social distancing guidelines, churches must be allowed to hold drive-in services without fear of targeting from their elected leaders." - "Attorney General Cameron files amicus brief in support of drive-in worship services," April 18, 2020.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (Courier Journal): Governor Andy Beshear defended including religious services among the types of mass gatherings prohibited by the stay-at-home order.

    "If you're still holding mass gatherings, church or otherwise, you are spreading the coronavirus. … And you are likely causing the death of Kentuckians." - "Church vs. state: Can Kentucky governments block religious gatherings amid COVID-19?," April 9, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Judge allows drive-in service at Louisville church, says Fischer 'criminalized' Easter" - Courier Journal, April 11, 2020


Debate over election policy in Kentucky

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Kentucky.

Debate over in-person voting during Kentucky's 2020 primary


Debate over voter identification laws

On April 14, 2020, the Kentucky legislature passed Senate Bill 2, a law that made photo identification necessary for in-person and absentee voting. Governor Andy Beshear (D) had vetoed the bill, but the legislature overrode the veto.[1]

  • Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey (D-19) (Wave 3 News): Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey (D-19) explained why he opposed Senate Bill 2.

    "Our county clerks offices are closed and people cannot go and get a drivers license, even if they wanted one. … You’re standing here today making it harder for people to vote." - "Kentucky lawmakers strike down veto, pass voter ID law," April 14, 2020.

  • State Senator Robby Mills (R-4) (Wave 3 News): State Senator Robby Mills (R-4) explained why he supported Senate Bill 2.

    "This simply will not go into effect until November’s elections. … I’m sure that we will have those clerks offices open and doing business later in the spring or summer and there’s going to be ample opportunity." - "Kentucky lawmakers strike down veto, pass voter ID law," April 14, 2020.

  • Governor Andy Beshear (D) (Courier Journal): Governor Andy Beshear (D) explained why he vetoed Senate Bill 2.

    "I am vetoing Senate Bill 2 because the provisions of the law would create an obstacle to the ability of Kentuckians to exercise their right to vote, resulting in fewer people voting and undermining our democracy. … During this time, the offices that would provide this identification are not open to in-person traffic, which would be necessary to create the actual identification." - "Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear blocks GOP legislature's voter ID bill citing COVID-19," April 3, 2020.


Debate over absentee voting


Responses to the coronavirus in Kentucky

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Kentucky)


Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Kentucky.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Wave 3 News, “Kentucky lawmakers strike down veto, pass voter ID law,” April 14, 2020
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