Mask revision rejected by legislative committee; judge ends Beshear’s powers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – A legislative subcommittee assigned to oversee the state’s regulatory process rejected June 8 a regulation that would allow the governor to extend the mask mandate beyond it being lifted on June 11.

The Beshear Administration filed the emergency regulation to line up the revised mandate with new federal recommendations, but Beshear has suggested all the state’s mandates still will be lifted June 11.

Meanwhile, a Boone County judge ordered Tuesday all Beshear’s mandates and emergency orders to end at 5 p.m. Thursday.

And all the flurry of activity comes as the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the separate of powers issues Thursday. The Boone County ruling likely will be consolidated into those cases as some others already have.

“On paper this may be a revision, but in reality this is a new mask mandate and would have to be repealed by the Governor,” legislative committee Co-Chair David Hale, R-Wellington, said durintg Tuesday’s hearing. “We have no intention of extending a regulation that could have devastating effect on Kentucky businesses that could or could not be repealed.”

During the public hearing the cabinet had on the provisions laid out in the new regulation, Kentuckians from throughout the state communicated concerns regarding mask mandates.

“Even after hearing Kentuckians’ concerns, the administration refused to amend the regulation.” Hale stated. “At this point, it seems like this regulation and any additional mandates are more about control, and less about public health.”

The mandate put in place by the Governor’s Executive Order is set to expire on June 11. Cabinet officials say that they expect further guidance from the governor on that day as well.

Meanwhile, Boone County Judge Richard A. Brueggmann issued his order.

“Citing expert medical and scientific proof, the Boone Circuit Court directed the Governor to comply with legislation that ends all of the Governor’s COVID-19 mandates,” said attorney Chris Wiest, who has filed a number of lawsuits challenging Beshear’s authority and bid a bitter opponent of the governor’s decisions.

He said the decision (511055321-Boone-Circuit-Court-Order) gives “the public the play-by-play of how they have been manipulated by a governor hungry with power violating their rights,” Wiest continued.