By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
For the time being, Kentucky Senate Bill 19 is dead.
Governor Andy Beshear vetoed the bill on Wednesday, March 26. He wrote in his veto message that the bill “has no exceptions,” leading to law violations by kindergartners, does not recognize those religions that utilize standing prayers and is ill-defined in its moral instruction provision.
As previously reported, Senate Bill 19 would require “a moment of silence or reflection” to be observed at the beginning of the public school day lasting “at least one minute, but not exceed[ing] two minutes,” and House committee substitution would allow “local boards of education [to] authorized…pupils to attend moral instruction” for one hour a week.
Senator David Givens voted for the original bill and the amended version. Givens’ district includes Barren County. Barren County Representative Steve Riley was one of the nine House members to not vote on the bill, according to the Legislative Research Commission. The bill passed the Senate with a 31 to 6 margin and passed the House of Representatives with 72 “yea” votes to 19 “nay” votes.
However, it is possible for the legislature to override Beshear’s veto during the two-day veto period that is March 27-28. To override a veto takes a “constitutional majority,” which is half of both chambers’ members plus one.
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