Commonwealth Policy Center

Kentucky Republicans scrapped Gov. Andy Beshear’s mask mandate for public schools and daycare centers. The special legislative session ended with lawmakers giving mask policy decisions to local school boards and local governments. Gov. Beshear vetoed the provision, which means the legislature will be back to override it. Republicans believe that local governments are better at crafting policies that are a good fit for their communities instead of a central authority in Frankfort. This is because each community is unique. The situation in Louisville is vastly different than the situation in Fulton or Flemingsburg. Each school board and city council are better equipped to do what best fits their community needs. Local control and government closer to the people are Republican principles. And perhaps this is a big reason Republicans have supermajorities in both Houses.