It is early days in his administration, and so far, Mr. Bevin has managed to side-step any questions on his intentions regarding the healthcare situation in his state. I imagine it's proving tricky to find a positive way to spin the "Hello, this is your notice that you no longer have healthcare" letter.
Mr. Bevin has, however, lost no time in finding a way to keep the working poor in their place. In July of this year, under an executive order signed by former Governor Steve Beshear (D), Kentuckians employed by state agencies and vendors saw their pay rate raised from $7.25/hour to $10.10/hour.
New Governor Matt Bevin has rescinded that order. The people who are already being paid at the higher rate will continue to receive it; but going forward from this point, all new hires will be paid at the lower and unlivable wage of $7.25/hour.
As David Smith, executive director of the Kentucky State Employees Association put it, "Really? Out of the things you could have done since you have been elected, that's something you choose to come right out of the gate with? Come on."
Come on, indeed.
It should put the minds of Kentucky's citizens at ease though to know that Rowan County clerk Kim Davis has been saved from any further jail time. Governor Bevin issued an executive order of his own, ordering that the names of elected clerks be removed from all marriage licenses in the state to "ensure that the sincerely held religious beliefs of all Kentuckians are honored."
One less thing for Kentucky's poor to worry about while they wait to find out if they can afford their blood pressure medicine.
No comments:
Post a Comment