© 2024 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bevin Enters Office With Robust Agenda, Bipartisan Hopes

Josh James
/
WUKY

Newly-minted Republican Governor Matt Bevin issued a call for civility during his inaugural address Tuesday in Frankfort, but it’s unclear just how much cooperation he can count on from the Democratic-led House.

In his speech, Bevin challenged all Kentuckians to seek out common ground and work to make the state “the best version of itself." Those sentiments earned positive reviews from both sides of the aisle.

"I think he sounded the right notes that a governor would sound on the day of his inauguration," Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo said.

Echoing those remarks,  Republican Senate President Robert Stivers had this assessment: "I think it's a good tenor and a good tone. I think it's the tenor and tone people want today."

But don’t expect the honeymoon to last. While Stumbo signaled support for the new governor’s call to audit every state pension plan and openness to discussing items on Bevin’s agenda – from charter schools to eliminating the state’s inventory tax – he pushed back on plans to dismantle Kynect, which Bevin described as a “redundant program.”

"The Kentucky exchange has performed better than the federal exchange. It's cheaper on Kentuckians. It's done a good job for them. It's a model for the nation. So why would you want to move yourself from that situation?"" Stumbo asked.

Democrats might have little say in the matter, however, according to Stivers. The Senate leader told reporters he sees no barrier to Bevin taking unilateral action.

"I think he can do that by executive order," he said. " It was implemented by executive order, and I said at that time that it could be done. I think an unwind can be done by executive order." 

Asked whether he felt Bevin’s bipartisan overtures were genuine, Stumbo said, “Time will tell.”

Policy Priorities

In an inaugural ceremony peppered with religious language and frequent calls for unity, speakers – including Kentucky’s new governor – did not shy away from voicing their conservative agenda for the state. Whether it was Lee Greenwood’s live rendition of patriotic favorite “God Bless the U.S.A” or glimpses of Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis mingling with the audience, the message was unmistakable: Tuesday marked a new day in Kentucky politics.

Providing some of the most pointed commentary of the afternoon was Kentucky Sgt. Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient and grand marshal for the morning parade down Capitol Avenue, who won cheers with his strong endorsement of the incoming governor.

"His decisions like delaying the implementation of the relocation of Syrian refugees verify my confidence that we now have a man taking control that puts Kentuckians' best interest and safety foremost in his decision-making process," Meyer told the enthusiatisc crowd.

Speaker Stumbo applauded the gracious tone set early on in Bevin’s remarks, but on the question of policy, he hesitated to forecast the new administration’s attitude on compromise.

"I think it's going to be interesting to see exactly what it is he is proposing and we've cautioned our members and asked them don't draw lines in the sand. Let's see if we can play together in the sandbox first," Stumbo said.

In his address, Bevin also pressed for school choice and a rollback of the state’s Medicaid expansion.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
Related Content