STATEMENT RELEASE WILSON REACTS TO BESHEAR’S VETO OF SENATE BILL 107
FRANKFORT, KY (March 24, 2023) — The following is a statement from Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson upon the Governor’s veto of his Senate Bill 107—which mitigates political influence and provides legislative oversight on the confirmation of Kentucky’s education commissioner:
“The Governor would like to keep as much control as possible over the Kentucky Department of Education to continue indoctrinating students and causing gender confusion rather than caring for their ability to read, write, and learn arithmetic. Given the Governor’s and current commissioner’s abysmal failure regarding Kentucky students’ learning outcomes, we must ensure legislative oversight and confirmation of the next education commissioner.
“We must not forget that only hours after Beshear’s inauguration, he dramatically politicized the Kentucky Department of Education by completely dissolving the Kentucky Board of Education, appointing Democrats to all 11 voting-member positions, and immediately paving the way for removing the state’s education chief with no just cause, then hiring a new one.
“Section 93 of the Constitution of Kentucky grants the Kentucky Senate authority to confirm a state officer. I look forward to adding Senate Bill 107 to the long list of bills vetoed by the Governor and overridden by the Kentucky General Assembly, and establishing necessary checks and balances for the selection of the Commonwealth’s Education Commissioner.”
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Senate Bill 107 requires the state education commissioner to be subject to Senate confirmation before taking office. The bill also sets a four-year term for the position.
Click here to access Senate Bill 107 and learn more about Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson.
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Senator Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, represents the 32nd Senate District, including Logan, Simpson, and Todd Counties and southern Warren County. He serves as the Senate majority whip and, as a Senate majority leadership member, serves on the Legislative Research Commission, the Committee on Committees, and the Rules Committee. Wilson is a member of the Senate Agriculture; Economic Development, Tourism and Labor; Education; Transportation; and Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection committees. He also serves as Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee and Public Pension Oversight Board member. Wilson recently served as a 2022 Interim Early Childhood Education Task Force member.