People Over Politics: Governor Steve Beshear’s advice for politicians

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- There are people worried that politics will affect decisions, that need to be made about Kentucky’s pension system. Former Governor Steve Beshear is one of them. He talked about that Tuesday during an event about his book People Over Politics.

The Governor says the message in his book is perfectly suited for today’s political climate. The Governor is known for expanding health coverage in a state that did not approve of President Barack Obama or his healthcare plan. Now, Beshear says he is worried that progress could be under threat.

“What makes you think you have all the answers?” ABC 36’s Veronica Jean Seltzer asked the Governor.

“Oh, Steve Beshear never has all the answers. Nobody does, but I do have one of the answers and that is in government, you need to put the people first,” Beshear said.

He says he wrote his book now, with co-author Dan Hassert, because he feels all Democrats and Republicans do is fight. He says government does not have to be that way, citing the split party state house he worked with for eight years.

“Most of the time, after elections, I was able to get everybody to remember we were Kentuckians first and Democrats and Republicans second and when we could do that we got one heck of a lot done,” Beshear said.

He says Congress’ inability recently to reform healthcare is an example of his message.

“There are issues with the Affordable Care Act and Republicans and Democrats need to put people over politics, and we talked about that in the book, and bring people together and let us address the issues,” Beshear said.

He feels similarly about the Kentucky pension crisis, encouraging lawmakers to bring in non-partisan experts.

“This isn’t a partisan issue. This is about the retirement of a whole lot of people who give their lives to working for the people of this state,” Beshear said.

He says this book is not just a way to get back into office, just a way to get government back on track.

“Politicians better wake up or they’ll find themselves out of a job,” Beshear said.

The former governor says his son, Attorney General Andy Beshear, is just doing his job, as he has sued Governor Matt Bevin several times.

As for whether he will one day run for Governor, his dad says he is focusing on his current job, and has some time left yet before he has to decide.