Speaking on behalf of Kentucky Right to Life, our Right to Life Chapters across the Commonwealth, and Prolife Kentuckians, I doubt if anyone is surprised by the Governor’s decision to veto House Bill 3. But I am disappointed. The Governor, having served previously as Kentucky Attorney General and the former chief law-enforcement officer and prosecutor for our Commonwealth, knows well the issues of human trafficking, abuse and exploitation of women and girls, which contribute to the very real risks associated with mail-order abortion.

House Bill 3 addresses multiple issues impacting the health of minor girls and women across the Commonwealth. As a result of the FDA’s decision to stop enforcing their longstanding health guidelines for issuing RU486, a two-pill regimen for non-surgical abortions, the in-person meeting with a medical provider, counseling, and ultrasound have been replaced with do-it-yourself at-home abortions via mail order.

Kentucky women deserve better than risky do-it-yourself, mail-order-abortions!

Without an in-person consultation between a pregnant woman or minor girl and a medical professional, not only is it difficult to assess any serious risk factors such as an ectopic pregnancy, pre-existing conditions or the presence of STIs– sexual transmitted infections, but the door is left wide open for vulnerable women and girls to be physically forced into an unwanted or quick decision on abortion.

The Governor states that there is no exception for rape and incest. The issues of rape and incest are extremely sensitive and personal matters, and those harmed by sexual violence often carry a lifetime of scars. Unfortunately, those who oppose any restrictions on abortions often insert rape and incest to undermine the legislation. The fact that statements on HB3 are made about such tragic and life-impacting matters as rape or incest without fully reading the bill, especially Section 1, and understanding the bill, is a political travesty. Section 1 explicitly indicates exceptions for sexual abuse and sexual abuse by the minor girl’s parent.

Kentucky Right to Life has led the State for 50 years advocating for an end to abortion and today remains unwavering in its support for the dignity and sanctity of life, especially the unborn. We advocate for prolife justice, justice for the children and their mothers.

A woman facing an unplanned pregnancy deserves the opportunity to learn about her options other than abortion, and deserves for her reproductive health to be respected rather than thrown down to a mail-order solution for such a serious, life-impacting decision, such as terminating the life of her child.

Please call the Legislative Hotline, 1-800-372-7181, and ask your legislators to please override Gov. Beshear’s VETO of HB3.

The Courier-Journal stated on December 12, 2019 that the voting rights of more than 140,000 felons with completed sentences were restored by Gov. Beshear. Readers were simultaneously reminded about Bevin’s pardons of criminals through in-article links to stories.

Then, on March 4, 2020, the C-J reported about a state website that allows 152,000 Ky. felons to see if their voting rights have been restored. There is a big difference between 140,000 and 152,000.

Then on April 2, 2020 the C-J told us in a story headline that Gov. Beshear would release 186 inmates, “as coronavirus cases rapidly increase with 700 more coming soon.” But in the article the specific number was 743. “It's likely to be the first of at least two waves of early releases, with the second involving 743 inmates, state officials said.”

Then on April 28, 2020, the C-J announced that Gov. Beshear commuted the sentences of an additional 352 state inmates. They were near the end of sentences for nonviolent, nonsexual felonies.

Gov. Bevin had intended to ask Kentuckians to vote on a ballot measure as to whether or not felon voting rights should be restored. It would be the people’s decision.

An attorney friend has noted: I always thought that, if a person was convicted of a felony, they had shown poor judgment and should lose the right to vote. If they lived a good life for a period of time after serving their time, they could petition for a restoration of their voting rights, but I don't think it should be automatic. I also am not crazy about automatic expungement of records. It is one thing to give a person a second chance, but it is up to the person to show they are worthy of it, and potential employers should not be deceived.

Whatever your sincerely held belief on the matter, the number of felons who can vote this year is increasing as the pandemic evolves. How will this affect the 2020 Elections?

The “niche” is a marketing dream. With a niche, a business can so easily target numerous individuals to attract their interest and to educate them. To gain their loyalty. To—ask for their vote? But, who would do this? Who has the felons’ contact information?

Some races will be very close. For example, in the 2018 General Election, in District 96, Kathy Hinkle (D) won over incumbent representative Jill York (R) by 5 votes. In District 91, for that election, Cluster Howard (D) beat incumbent representative Toby Herald (R) by 7 votes. The image from Ballotpedia.com shows a race that was won by A SINGLE VOTE. Many other races in 2018 were extremely close, and they will be again in 2020.

Some (many?) citizens may not bother to vote in the Primary because of the “pandemic” process that requires more effort than ever before.

See this article for the new process.

Yes, pro-lifers currently hold a majority in the Kentucky House and Senate, but DON’T EVER IMAGINE that cannot change.