KEA President Eddie Campbell tells General Assembly to get essential work done and go home

“At a time when every Kentuckian is being asked to sacrifice in unprecedented ways to help ensure that the COVID-19 virus will not spread further, the Kentucky General Assembly, led by Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne, has grasped on to an ill-conceived notion that they should be  immune to the voices and wishes of the people they are supposed to serve.

“Our General Assembly has determined they will continue business as usual through the end of the legislative session, with one significant exception—they will operate on an ‘invitation only’ basis. Only they and selected others will be allowed to take part in the Commonwealth’s legislative process. No ‘unauthorized’ personnel may enter the Annex, per the order of the Senate President and Speaker of the House. They want to operate our democracy in the dark.

“While the citizens these ‘leaders’ represent are struggling to manage our homes and work and families and bills for the greater good, legislators choose to avoid the messy work of democracy by insulating themselves from the germ of a vocal opposition. Legislators were sent to Frankfort to pass a budget for our Commonwealth and have had ample time to do so. Instead of finishing that essential work and sacrificing like everyone else, our elected representatives can now take up many divisive issues without any meaningful, direct opposition.  They will do this while collecting their full legislative pay on the very same day that many Kentuckians are forced to apply for unemployment benefits.  Their actions will pull Kentuckians apart at the very time we should be pulling together.

“It’s time legislators also face this crisis we all are waking up to each day. Pass a budget that helps students, parents, educators, and their communities. Provide temporary relief to our school districts by suspending instructional day requirements and extending emergency leave for all school employees. Then go home.

“Democracy does not work ‘virtually’ or in the dark. Bills and policies that would otherwise receive vocal outrage and opposition will pop up like mushrooms in that darkness. Educators have seen this before. In 2018, the “sewer bill” was passed in the dark of night to undercut pensions and gut the education budget. Leaders shine a light and show the way. They don’t hide in the shadows. Call your legislators right now at 1-800-372-7181.  Tell them to pass a budget; remember who they serve; and then go home.”