BESHEAR CONTINUES TO OBSTRUCT
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
New Opinion from AG squashes Governor’s faulty and politically motivated excuses
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 11, 2025)—Legislative leaders responded Tuesday to an opinion from Attorney General Russell Coleman’s Office (OAG 25-01), which confirms that Senate Bill 207 (2022) does not violate federal law, directly refuting the Beshear administration’s refusal to implement it.
SB 207 was enacted to decentralize workforce development oversight by shifting authority from Frankfort to local workforce boards, ensuring they have the power to manage job training and employment initiatives while maintaining state-level oversight. The General Assembly overwhelmingly passed the bill, but Governor Andy Beshear vetoed it, arguing it conflicted with federal workforce laws. The legislature overrode that veto. However, despite this clear legislative directive, the executive branch has refused to enforce the law for nearly three years, citing legally unsubstantiated claims that it violates federal law. The decision appears to be a matter of political choice rather than legal necessity.
The administration’s opposition to SB 207 stems from Executive Order 2020-551, issued by Beshear to establish the Kentucky Education and Workforce Collaborative, a centralized body under his direct control. SB 207 sought to rebalance power by giving local workforce boards more autonomy, allowing decisions to be made closer to the communities they impact. Despite the bill’s alignment with federal law, the administration has stalled its implementation, refusing to relinquish centralized control.
For almost three years, Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, the sponsor of SB 207, has attempted to work with The Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board in good faith to ensure compliance with the law. However, those efforts have been ignored. Left with no alternative, Higdon requested an official opinion from the Attorney General, who issued a six-page legal determination confirming that SB 207 does not violate federal law and that the Governor has no legal grounds to continue blocking implementation.
“This legal opinion removes any doubt—SB 207 is fully compliant with federal law,” said Higdon. “This legislation was about making workforce development more effective. It’s disappointing to see it not being implemented.”
Senate President Robert Stivers criticized the administration’s selective enforcement of laws.
“Our governor should open his aperture a bit and see how this collaboration is good for developing Kentucky’s workforce at the local level and implement it fully,” said Stivers. “The legislature acted in good faith to improve workforce development, but Beshear’s administration is obstructing progress.”
With legislative and legal hurdles cleared, Governor Beshear's refusal to act is the only obstacle to SB 207's implementation.
A PDF copy of the Attorney General’s opinion is attached.
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