Lawmaker: Beshear hasn't pushed for curb on gubernatorial pardoning powers

By John Stamper
jstamper@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — A key Democratic lawmaker says Gov. Steve Beshear has made no effort to push for the approval of a significant plank in his gubernatorial campaign platform: a constitutional amendment limiting a governor’s pardoning powers.

Rep. Darryl Owens, who sponsored House Bill 5 and chairs the committee that would hear the proposal, said he has gotten no pressure from the governor’s office to hold a hearing on the bill.

“I haven’t heard from him, but that’s not unusual,” said Owens, D-Louisville. “I feel like the jilted wife. I’m the last one to know everything around here.”

Beshear promised in a January news conference to “lead” the fight for a broad ethics package that included a constitutional amendment to stop a governor from pardoning someone who hasn’t yet been convicted of a crime.

Although the House has approved a large portion of Beshear’s ethics package, the constitutional amendment remains in the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

A spokeswoman said Monday that Beshear remains committed to the bill.

“The Governor strongly feels that HB 5 should be passed by the House and Senate and placed on the ballot in November,” said Vicki Glass. “He will be discussing this issue with House leadership in due course.”

Tuesday is day 38 of the 60-day legislative session, which concludes April 15.

During the fall gubernatorial campaign, Beshear repeatedly criticized former Gov. Ernie Fletcher for pardoning his entire administration during a lengthy investigation of state hiring practices and pledged he would lead an effort to make sure no other governor uses pardons to essentially stop an ongoing criminal investigation.

Although Fletcher and 14 others were eventually indicted by a special grand jury, no one was ever prosecuted for breaking state hiring laws.

Even though he sponsored the bill, Owens said he doesn’t plan to call a vote on the constitutional amendment.

The constitution says only four proposed constitutional amendments can be on the election ballot for voters’ ratification at one time. Therefore, the House can put forward two, as can the Senate.

“We’ve got two constitutional amendments already,” Owens said, referring to the plan to allow casinos in Kentucky and the measure to restore voting rights to past felons. “Why would I call it?”

If Beshear is “willing to forgo casinos,” then Owens said he will reconsider.

Meanwhile, Beshear has called a news conference for 10 a.m. Tuesday to discuss his position on restoration of felon voting rights.

Beshear is expected to be joined by Secretary of State Trey Grayson, several lawmakers and representatives from the League of Women Voters, which has pushed for a constitutional amendment on that issue for several years. Glass declined to comment further about Beshear’s position on felon voting rights.

Comments

[DisgustedWithHypocrites&Liars]

Just another hypocritical campaign promise to be broken!!

After all the trouble Beshear has been in the first couple of months in office, he had better hang on to his pardoning power! He may very well need it!

[Suspicious (and scared) of this Administration]

Beshear hasn't pushing for anything but casino gambling because all his eggs are in that basket.