KY lawmakers take unprecedented steps to conduct business during COVID-19 pandemic
Kentucky lawmakers, some of whom were wearing face masks, took extraordinary measures Wednesday to conduct their business of approving a state budget during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 100-member state House only allowed 25 members at a time in the chamber to answer roll call and approve a change in House rules to allow voting by paper ballot or phone. Each House member then went somewhere else within the Capitol complex to watch the action in the chamber on a television or cell phone.
“It’s unprecedented times,” said Rep. Chris Harris, D-Forest Hills. “I think it’s a responsible way to work around the situation. We have to have a budget, I understand that, and we’ve got to vote in order to pass it. I think this is a responsible way to do it.”
Gov. Andy Beshear closed the Capitol last month to only essential personnel due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the General Assembly struggled to strike a balance between passing necessary legislation and protecting the safety of its members.
Harris was critical on the floor of the House of Representatives on March 18, calling them reckless for continuing with the legislative session amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, he had changed his tune and made a floor speech complimenting leadership for taking precautions to allow members to vote safely.
After his floor speech, Harris returned to his car, where he was using his cell phone to watch the proceedings on KET’s website. Each member of leadership had a group of lawmakers they contacted via a group text. Those lawmakers then texted their votes to that member of leadership.
The members of leadership then read off the votes of lawmakers one by one, by their county and district, and each vote was registered.
“While a legislative first, these actions reflect House Majority Leadership’s intent to preserve each district’s right to participate in the budget process,” said a news release from House Speaker David Osborne’s office.
The changes were drafted after research and discussion with legal and public policy sources, including legal scholars, former judges and the National Conference of State Legislatures, the statement said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a historic challenge for our commonwealth and the Kentucky House of Representatives is willing to take equally historic steps to meet our constitutional obligations to the people of Kentucky,” said Osborne. “I appreciate the support of our caucus members, House minority leadership and our staff in making it possible to use every tool available to us in order to finish our work.”
Meanwhile, two Senate committees met at different times Wednesday in the Senate chamber instead of in committee rooms in the Capitol Annex.
For the floor session, the 38 members of the Senate were spread throughout the chamber. Sen. Ernie Harris, R-Crestwood, was wearing an N95 mask he had found in his workshop in an effort to protect himself from the novel coronavirus.
“I have no symptoms at all but I’ve seen graphs that show the value of wearing a mask. So that’s why I’m doing it,” said Harris, who is 72-years-old.
Both chambers started at noon Wednesday. On every desk in both chambers sat a bottle of hand sanitizer produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown. They were 80 percent alcohol antiseptics — or 120 proof. On the label, in clear capital letters came a warning: “Do not consume.”
After Wednesday’s business, the legislature is to return April 13 to consider any vetoes by the governor. The session cannot run past April 15.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 12:16 PM.
