Commissioner Quarles issues statement on Kentucky Supreme Court rulings

FRANKFORT (Aug. 21, 2021) –Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles issued the following statement after the Kentucky Supreme Court issued today’s opinion:

“In today’s ruling, the Kentucky Supreme Court said the General Assembly sets the public policy of the Commonwealth,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Our constitutional order does not take a break during a pandemic. With this ruling, Governor Andrew Beshear should turn away from his lawless ways and his open disrespect for the People’s branch, and do what he should have done from the beginning: actually bring people together and lead.

“Soon, Kentucky’s courts will have another opportunity to vindicate the right of the General Assembly to set public policy in a similar case: the Governor’s lawsuit against the Kentucky State Fair Board and me. The Governor is not a legislator or a king: even he is bound by our constitution and laws.”