Kentucky lawmakers override veto of McConnell-backed Senate vacancy plan

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Courier-Journal

By Morgan Watkins

The Republican-run Kentucky legislature on Monday easily overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a notable bill that restricts his ability to fill any vacancies that arise if one of the state's U.S. senators dies or leaves office early.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the commonwealth's powerful senior senator, threw his support behind Senate Bill 228. That sparked speculation that the 79-year-old statesman, who just got reelected last fall, might be eyeing the exits.

However, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, SB 228's lead sponsor, has said the longtime senator plans to stick around and McConnell himself has never given any public indication he doesn't plan to serve out his new six-year term.

Historically, Kentucky's governor has been able to choose anyone — of any political party — to fill in temporarily if a vacancy pops up in the Senate, whether that happens by the senator's choice, expulsion or death.


Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/ky-general-assembly/2021/03/29/kentucky-lawmakers-nix-veto-mcconnell-backed-senate-vacancy-plan/7055091002/

[CurtEastPoint]

1. I won't be around to read the history books in 20 or 30 years but the GOP will be trashed by truth

[Eugene]

2. As expected, but still disappointing.

Reccing with disgust.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. Gov. Beshear can opt NOT TO APPOINT

a replacement.

I see this going to court as long as a Democrat remains Governor of Kentucky and voters turn out in huge numbers like down in Georgia.

[bullimiami]

4. I was wondering if he could just leave the seat open.

Didn’t know if the bill messed with that.

[machoneman]

5. I'll bet he can! Usually, the laws (in many states) state that the Gov. and only the Gov. can...

...nominate the replacement. 'Course, knowing how the R's in KY operate, they may offer a work-around here too. Still, he can likely stall any move by the legislature for some time with a lawsuit.

[bucolic_frolic]

18. That would be pulling a Mitch McConnell on Mitch McConnell

or on Mitch McConnell's ghost. I'll drink to that.

[jaxexpat]

12. As a son of the commonwealth I can tell you a thing or so about Kentucky voters.

When they show up in huge numbers they're likely to commit huge, mindless, atrocities.

As a young man I had always looked to Georgia and Tennessee as "progressive" states. Seriously, hard to envision as it is, compared to Kentucky, they had the trappings of western civilization: biggest airport and home of music city, Jimmy Carter and Albert Gore. Atlanta and Nashville are still pretty much places that beacon to people with ambition and talents.

[PatSeg]

13. That's what I was thinking

Suppose he chose to just not get around to appointing someone? Could he just set it aside and wait until possibly the next election?

[FBaggins]

26. No he can't

The bill says that he "shall"... and gives him 21 days from when party leaders provide the list of choices.

[quakerboy]

28. And if he doesnt?

[FBaggins]

29. The KY courts issues a writ of mandamus?

You're not seriously going to advocate for a governor not obeying a law?

[quakerboy]

30. Im curious what the consequences could be.

I'm advocating nothing, Im just asking a question.

That said.. I dont believe laws are the end all be all. Some egregious ones should be ignored or actively disobeyed. The new one about not bringing water to voters springs to mind. Civil disobedience is a valid response, in my opinion.

[onenote]

33. There are other states with the same law

And I wonder whether you would feel the same way if a Republican governor refused to follow the law when a vacancy occurred in a seat held by a Democrat.

[quakerboy]

34. Honestly, Id kinda expect it

That seems to be the way things are now done.

[FBaggins]

31. Also worth noting...

... Republicans control far more than enough seats in the state legislature to impeach and convict without any Democratic votes.

The the Lt Governor becomes Governor and follows the law.

Or doesn't and now Stivers (R - the lead sponsor on the bill) becomes governor and it's a "two-fer"

[Bayard]

6. McConnell's dastardly tentacles reaching out again

Does the HR bill cover this at all?

[Jay25]

7. I am so fucking tired of republicans doing whatever they want and Democrats jumping through

hoops trying to do what’s legal.

[PatSeg]

14. Well, I'm not tired of Democrats

doing what is legal and right. This is essential if we are to preserve our democracy. I don't want Democrats to act like republicans, I just want the republican party to die out. Now I do think Democrats need to work more on messaging though, something we are seeing with the Biden administration, thank goodness.

[KPN]

15. All of that is good, if our democracy actually survives. At some point, it becomes necessary to do

everything necessary to survive. At this point, the GOP is doing everything necessary plus some. Yeah, we should do what is legal and right, but including changing what is legal and right as far as rules that apply to governance and our "democratic" system. If that is acting like Republicans, then I am all for it.

[PatSeg]

23. "The ends justify the means" is the republican way

And for them that includes ANY means necessary to win. History pretty much tells us over and over again that does not end well. It is harder doing things the right way. It takes more time and patience, but the results are more enduring. How often have people heard leaders say that these changes and/or restrictions are only temporary, until we can establish order and continuity? Then those changes become permanent, because even those with good intentions initially do not want to let go of power.

There is a very good reason why we repeatedly hear, "We are a nation of laws, not men".

[catrose]

8. Can Democrats go to court? Even if they don't expect to win, delay might be worth it.

[NewJeffCT]

20. I'm guessing it will be challenged in court

KY courts will likely uphold the law, and a radical RW SCOTUS would likely say it's legal for a state legislature to do that.

[onenote]

35. On what grounds?

There are several states that have similar provisions. To give but one example, Maryland, which currently has a Republican governor, and two Democratic Senators, requires the governor to fill a Senate vacancy with a member of the same party as the Senator who previously held the seat. Pretty certain most DUers would think that's a good law.

[RobertDevereaux]

9. "Lawmakers"? Nope. Scofflaws, or better, Outlaws.

[niyad]

10. Kicking with loathing and disgust. May they receive everything they deserve.

[Warpy]

11. Let the lawsuits begin

No one in govrenment should be allowed to hand pick his successor.

No one should be allowed to be a dictator, either.

Mcconell has been allowed to do both.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. Treat Mitch's successor like Obama's 3rd SCOTUS pick. Just ignore it.

and what does the state Constitution say? Tying the Governor's hands is not the freedom to appoint.

[KPN]

17. GOP SOP ... change the "rules" to suit them whenever they no longer do.

Given recent GOP strategy/crap, at some point, we Democrats will have to stop trying to make the "rules" work and do what they do -- change them to suit us and democracy. The filibuster is number one on that list.

[Hugh Bloody Bastards]

19. "Moscow Mitch" is a statesman???

Terribly sorry, but I beg to differ!

[NewJeffCT]

21. He is a statesman

for the rich & powerful

[piddyprints]

22. Of course they did.

Anything to keep rethugs in power.

[aggiesal]

24. I thought the Gov. appointing a Senator was written in the Kentucky State Constitution? n/t

[FBaggins]

25. No surprise there

KY has an incredibly weak veto for the governor.

[ancianita]

27. But isn't that decision in the scope of a governor's authority within the state constitution?

So an override can't be automatic, or in advance, but must be done once the appointment event is before the governor and he makes his decision.

Seems that this can be challenged, legally. Just sayin'. Could be wrong.

Otherwise, the way trumpcult legislatures are going, they might as well have a state manager and not a governor. Who governs.

Maybe this is what corporate dark money's goal really is. Creating state level corporate campuses. Eventually, a national corporate campus. You know, fascism.