Kentucky’s Democratic governor has filed a lawsuit to block a new state law that gives Republican officials the power to appoint the majority of members to an ethics commission.
Governor Beshear’s suit was filed Thursday. It warns that the reconstituted membership on the Executive Branch Ethics Commission could launch politically based investigations. The suit claims the measure violates Kentucky’s constitution.
In a pair of tweets, Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron says the new ethics commission law is a good-government measure.
“This bill is a good-government measure that keeps partisan politics out of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. And, it is Constitutional. I’m disappointed that the governor sued to undermine the independence of this important government agency.”
It’s the latest in a series of legal fights over Republican-backed laws that would weaken the Democratic governor’s executive authority.
