In the midst of the inauguration festivities, we were able to speak with a number of those attending. Here are four of the conversations we had at the Beshear inauguration.
The teachers
Teachers from Boone County: Sarah Stamper (6th grade English), Jennifer Biddle (high school business), Patricia Kaylor (fourth grade)
Why are you all here today?
We’re here to celebrate! Celebrating education and our new governor.
Were you up here last year?
Biddle: I was here. Very different circumstances – not too celebratory then. We’re pretty happy today.
What do you think is going to be different?
Well, hopefully we have a governor who appreciates public education, and understands the need for every child to have a free public education. Understands that we need the resources, funding, and people to support us … and not belittle what we do.
Realistically, what are you looking for? We’re in a pretty big money crunch as a state.
Biddle: For me, it’s just feeling supported. You don’t have to throw millions of dollars my way; just understand what teachers do in the classroom, and how important teachers are to every child. Supporting our profession, instead of – I don’t know, I can’t even think of the words. Showing that you care about us, and that we are a valued profession.
Stamper: I couldn’t agree more. I would like to see more positive changes, with funding, because it’s all about the people. We’re looking for that hope, that moving-forward mindset.
Sharon Fleck, Shelbyville
What do you think? Are you pleased about the fact that we won at least one race here?
I am. It’s a little progress. I would have liked to have seen more. But happy that we got the top.
How was the vote in Shelbyville?
We gained about 5 points over the 2015 election. We made progress.
What are you looking for out of Governor Beshear?
To work with everyone. To try to change some of these heinous laws that Bevin has put in place. Our education system, our retirement system, gun sense — there’s a lot.
Do you think he’s going to be able to do any of that with the legislature he’s got?
I hope so. Everything is up in the air right now. Will our legislators work with him? It’s been refreshing to see the legislators actually working with him right now. But we’ll see. It’s a budget year, so there’s a lot on the table.
The organizers
Jack Connolly, John Mitchell, of the United Steel Workers
How do you feel about this new governor?
We feel pretty good. We’ve been under attack by the current governor for four years now. We’re looking forward to having a governor who’s not going to attack the basic rights of working people.
Do you think that you have any chance of reversing any of the laws that were passed?
Maybe. That’s what we’re hoping for. Sometimes that might be a little harder with the people we have [in the legislature] to overturn those laws. But, we definitely know what we had, and we’re hoping to have a lot better. We know we’re going to have a lot better.
Have you met with any of his staff, or with the governor himself?
Yes, on several occasions.
Since the election?
No, not us specifically. We’ve had people who have, though.
Anything I should know about the USW political action committee?
We’re here to fight for policies for the working people.
The advocate
Tyler Offerman, Food Justice Fellow with Kentucky Equal Justice Center
What do you anticipate being different with the new governor in place?
Probably some substantive policy differences, and also some character differences. As far as character goes, I imagine Beshear will be a little less caustic, a little less venomous, a little less constantly on the offensive when it comes to offending people.
What about policy changes? Do you think there is any chance of having some things happen given the Republican legislature?
I do. Beshear’s already reached out and tried to build relationships in ways that Bevin didn’t, even within his own party. I think that’s a positive sign.
Additionally, I think the Beshear family’s been around: they know how the budget works, how this goes. I think the honeymoon will end pretty soon, I’m sure, and they’ll start fighting. But in the grand scheme of things — the budget, criminal justice reform — there will be some compromise.
What particular things is your organization looking to accomplish?
So, at the Kentucky Equal Justice Center we do legal and policy advocacy for people living in poverty. The big thing is we’re suing the state over the Medicaid work requirements. So, we expect and hope that that will be withdrawn in a way that is legally sustainable.
I know for me specifically, I work on hunger, so the Bevin administration has kicked close to 30,000 people off of SNAP, just by the things he has done within the state. So, we hope that the new administration will help address food insecurity, and stop vilifying and penalizing people for being poor.
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