McConnell, during a visit with the Rotary Club of Paducah, said he’s spoken with leaders of the state general assembly, and believes it’s wise to put the decision of school mask mandates in the hands of school boards and those more directly educating students.
Both the governor and Republican leaders of the legislature say they are negotiating when to call the session and what policies to propose, including whether to renew the official state of emergency for the pandemic.
Republican House Speaker David Osborne said several legislators are reviewing a list of pandemic priorities sent over by the governor, who is the only one with the power to call a special session.
Lawyers for Beshear and GOP Senate President Robert Stivers asked Franklin Circuit Court for 10 days to come up with an agreed plan before the court vacates the ruling.
Special legislative sessions are politically tricky — partly because the governor is the only person allowed to call them. Generally, governors try to reach a consensus with lawmakers before calling them in to officially consider legislation.
An Aug. 12 mask mandate from the Kentucky Board of Education remains in force, despite a separate requirement from Gov. Andy Beshear that was lifted on Monday.
