GEORGETOWN (July 9, 2020) –
Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles issued the following statement in response to Governor Beshear's comments made at a press conference earlier today.
"Contrary to the Governor’s performance this afternoon, this lawsuit isn’t about him. It isn’t political. It isn’t personal. It’s about people who have been deprived of their rights to participate in the policy-making process.
"All that I am asking him to do is to issue emergency administrative regulations that take effect immediately - with a public comment period, like the law requires. The Governor’s rhetoric makes it sound like he is unaware of this part of the law.
"Public health is paramount in a pandemic, but we don’t need to eliminate due process. I follow CDC guidelines. We all should. But the process in Kentucky has left people out of the conversation.
"It’s disingenuous to suggest that agriculture doesn’t want to prioritize public health. We do. But the process has not treated everyone the same. Why do well-connected amusement parks with lobbyists get to talk to the government, but mom and pops get ignored?
"The General Assembly has given the Governor the tools he needs to act swiftly and engage the public in a lawful process. He should follow the law, protect public health, and bring everyone into the process."
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