RAWLINGS RESPONDS TO BESHEAR’S VETO OF SB 59

RAWLINGS RESPONDS TO BESHEAR’S VETO OF SB 59

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 7, 2026) — In response to the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 59, Sen. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, issued the following statement:

“This veto misses the mark and misrepresents what Senate Bill 59 actually does. The bill does not silence anyone’s First Amendment rights; it reinforces a basic principle that taxpayer dollars should never be used for political advocacy. Public officials are free to speak, campaign and express their views, but they should not be doing so on the taxpayer’s dime.

“SB 59 simply puts enforcement behind a law that already exists. Right now, Kentucky prohibits the use of public funds to influence ballot questions, but without real consequences, that law has no teeth. This legislation ensures accountability when public resources are misused, while preserving the ability of individuals to speak in their personal capacity.

“Kentuckians expect their tax dollars to be used for legitimate public purposes not political campaigns. This bill protects that trust and keeps the focus where it belongs: on fair, transparent elections where voters, not government-funded messaging, decide the outcome.”