Kentucky closing Capitol to public as coronavirus spreads. Legislature will continue.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday morning that the Kentucky State Capitol will close to the public Tuesday morning amid concerns about spreading the new coronavirus.
“That is a big step and I am a person who ran on these doors being open to everyone all the time,” Beshear said. “We’re dealing with something we could have never anticipated and at the end my obligation is to keep everyone safe as we’re moving forward.”
Beshear said the Capitol complex will only be open to essential personnel.
The general assembly will continue working, even as the federal government recommended avoiding contact with groups larger than 10 people to avoid spreading COVID-19.
In a joint statement by House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, and Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, the two lawmakers said they felt “the General Assembly has a responsibility to the people of Kentucky and our membership is committed to fulfilling that obligation.”
“However, we are putting in place a number of safety procedures based on the recommendations of public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the statement said. “While this is a departure from business as usual, we are taking every step possible to use available technology to ensure transparency and accessibility.”
In the coming weeks, only legislators, essential staff, media credentialed by the Legislative Research Commission, and specifically-approved individuals will be allowed in the Capitol and Capitol Annex, the lawmakers said. House Republican Caucus spokeswoman Laura Leigh Goins said lobbyists are not included on the list of “specifically-approved individuals.”
The lawmakers said more committee hearings will be streamed online by KET and the LRC. Additional workers will answer constituent hotlines — the toll-free message line is (1-800-372-7181) and the direct line is (502-564-8100). The use of doorkeepers, legislative pages and floor personnel will be suspended in the House and Senate chambers.
Later Monday, House Democratic leaders — House Minority Floor Leader Joni Jenkins, Rep. Derrick Graham and Rep. Angie Hatton — put out a statement saying they had advised all of their members who are older than 60, have health issues or live with someone who is older than 60 or has health issues, to stay home.
They said they think the legislature should only consider a budget and other critical bills needed to help Kentuckians deal with the coronavirus.
“We worry that even that may have to wait until a special session, given that the president and the CDC have asked Americans to limit groups of 10 or more,” the statement said. “Because of these and other reasons, we believe this situation is fluid and should be re-evaluated every day. We cannot ask Kentuckians to take draconian steps if we are not willing to do them ourselves.”
The legislature took a long weekend last week, choosing to skip their Friday and Monday workdays before planning to resume Tuesday. The 60-workday legislative session is required to end by midnight on April 15, according to the Kentucky Constitution, and the legislature is required to pass a two-year state budget.
Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, said Monday he already has told leadership that he plans to remain home unless he is needed for “a critical vote.”
Carroll, 88, said he would ask Beshear and legislative leaders “if it is advisable to end this session and come back in a special session, maybe in June” close to the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1 to adopt a two-year budget and consider any other major bills.
The law, said Carroll, allows for a governor to keep spending with a continuation budget if one is not enacted.
“We could pass a budget in a special session or wait until next January when the legislature is back in session,” he said. “I think we ought to be very cautious until this virus peaks.”
Carroll, who was governor from 1974 to 1979, joined the state Senate in 2004. He announced last year he would not seek re-election this year.
In addition to the Capitol, much of the state is being ordered to close to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has killed one person in Kentucky. On Monday, Beshear announced that all bars and restaurants will be closed to in-person dining.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 9:49 AM.
