Gov. Matt Bevin has issued his first five executive orders ahead of the holiday break. The orders fulfill a campaign promise and reverse actions taken by former Gov. Steve Beshear.
"One thing I will take care of right away is we will remove the names of the county clerks from the marriage forms," Bevin told reporters at his first post-election press availability in November. "The argument that that cannot be done is baloney. We've already changed those forms three time for crying out loud."
Bevin made good on that commitment today, effectively answering a request Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis made of the former Democratic governor. Bevin has said he will also move to make the forms downloadable.
The Republican also rescinded a number of orders Beshear issued on his way out the door – including measures reinstating voting rights for a large percentage of Kentucky’s non-violent former felons, obliging the executive branch and venders to observe a higher minimum wage, and creating the Governor’s Employee Advisory Council to address pay, hours, and other issues.
None of the orders pertain to kynect, the state's health insurance exchange created under the Affordable Care Act.
In a statement, Bevin said, “Today, I took action to uphold several commitments I made during my campaign so that we can implement real solutions that will help the people of Kentucky.”
Read the full statement from the Office of the Governor below.
Today, Governor Bevin issued five Executive Orders pertaining to marriage licenses, minimum wage, hiring practices within the state government, the restoration of rights to felons and a superfluous state board. “Today, I took action to uphold several commitments I made during my campaign so that we can implement real solutions that will help the people of Kentucky,” said Governor Bevin. “While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people. As we move into the New Year and upcoming session, I look forward to working with legislators and stakeholders to build consensus and drive policy that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of all Kentuckians” The following Executive Orders are being filed today: To ensure that the sincerely held religious beliefs of all Kentuckians are honored, Executive Order 2015-048 directs the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives to issue a revised marriage license form to the offices of all Kentucky County Clerks. The name of the County Clerk is no longer required to appear on the form. Executive Order 2015-049 relieves executive branch agencies and vendors of the obligation to comply with the higher minimum wage established by Executive Order 2015-370, except as to classified employees with status who have already received increases as a result of the Executive Order. Their remuneration will not be affected. Executive Order 2015-050 prioritizes effective and efficient management of state government operations by implementing a new moratorium on hiring. This order removes all oversight of the merit system hiring from the Governor’s Office. Unlike Governor Beshear’s Executive Order which had the Secretary of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet approve all personnel actions regarding merit employees, this Executive Order transfers that responsibility to the Personnel Secretary. Approval of non-merit employees will remain the duty of the Secretary of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet. Furthermore, effective immediately, all vacant positions in any agency will be reviewed to determine if they are necessary to the maintenance of essential government services. Executive Order 2015-051 rescinds Governor Beshear’s Executive Order 2008-471 which established the Governor’s Employee Advisory Council (GEAC). The GEAC was created to discuss issues pertaining to wages, hours, and terms of employment for merit employees, but is non-value added given that the Governor has no power to extend negotiation and collective bargaining rights to employees of the Commonwealth. The merit system, along with the policies and procedures enacted through the Personnel Cabinet, provide sufficient protections and oversight of these issues and functions in a streamlined and efficient manner. While Governor Bevin has been a strong advocate for the reinstatement of non-violent felony offenders’ voting and civil rights, Executive Order 2015-052 suspends the provisions of Executive Order 2015-871 as that order is contrary to the Kentucky Constitution and undermines the very right it seeks to restore by circumventing elected representatives in the state legislature and the voice of the people at the ballot box. The Office of the Governor will continue to utilize the processes and procedures under current law in the same manner as the previous administration pending further study and consideration by the Kentucky General Assembly. This Executive Order does not affect anyone whose rights have already been restored by the previous Executive Order.
