Challenges Faced by Andy Beshear: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Andy Beshear faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Andrew Graham Beshear is the current governor of Kentucky, serving since 2019. A Democrat, he previously served as the state's attorney general from 2016 to 2019. He is the son of Steve Beshear, who was also a former governor of Kentucky, serving from 2007 to 2015.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

April 2016: Sued Governor Matt Bevin Over Budget Cuts

In April 2016, Andy Beshear, as attorney general, sued Governor Matt Bevin over his mid-cycle budget cuts to the state university system. The Kentucky Supreme Court agreed with Beshear.

2017: Lawsuit against Bevin dismissed.

In 2017, the Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Andy Beshear brought against Governor Matt Bevin, holding that Bevin had the power to temporarily reshape boards while the legislature is out of session.

April 2018: Successfully sued Matt Bevin over Senate Bill 151

In April 2018, Andy Beshear successfully sued Governor Matt Bevin over Senate Bill 151, a controversial plan to reform teacher pensions, with the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling the bill unconstitutional.

March 25, 2020: Declared State of Emergency over COVID-19

On March 25, 2020, Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic. He encouraged business owners to require customers to wear face coverings while indoors.

April 2020: Ordered State Troopers to Record Churchgoers

In April 2020, Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky state troopers to record the license plate numbers of churchgoers who violated the state's COVID-19 stay-at-home order to attend in-person Easter Sunday church services.

April 2020: Legislature Overrides Veto on Tax Break for Distilleries and Breweries

In April 2020, the Kentucky legislature overrode Andy Beshear's veto of a provision that would allow distilleries and breweries to qualify for a sales tax break on new equipment.

November 2020: Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Beshear's Executive Orders

In November 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Andy Beshear's emergency executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 18, 2020: Ordered Schools to Halt In-Person Learning

On November 18, 2020, as COVID-19 cases increased, Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky's public and private schools to halt in-person learning starting November 23 with in-person classes to resume in January 2021.

January 2021: Ordered Schools to Halt In-Person Learning

On January 2021, Andy Beshear planned the resume of in-person classes after halting them on November 18, 2020 as COVID-19 cases increased.

March 2021: Veto of Bill on Rental Property Damage

In March 2021, Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would make it a crime to cause $500 or more damage to a rental property. The Kentucky House and Senate overrode his veto.

March 2021: Vetoed 27 Bills

In March 2021, Andy Beshear vetoed all or part of 27 bills that the Kentucky legislature had passed. However, the legislature overrode his vetoes.

August 2021: Mask Mandate in Public Schools

In August 2021, amid an upsurge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant, Andy Beshear mandated that face masks be worn in public schools in Kentucky.

August 19, 2021: Temporary Restraining Order Against School Mask Mandate

On August 19, 2021, U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the school mask mandate issued by Andy Beshear.

August 23, 2021: Rescission of School Mask Mandate

On August 23, 2021, Andy Beshear rescinded his executive order requiring masks in Kentucky schools after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling.

December 2021: Led Emergency Response to Tornado Outbreak

In December 2021, Andy Beshear led the emergency response to a tornado outbreak in western Kentucky, which devastated the town of Mayfield and killed more than 70 people.

July 2022: Coordinated Flood Relief Efforts

In July 2022, torrential rain caused severe flooding across Kentucky's Appalachia region. Andy Beshear worked with the federal government to coordinate search and rescue missions.

March 2023: Veto of Bill on Transgender Youth Regulations

In March 2023, Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would create new regulations and restrictions for transgender youth, including a ban on gender-affirming care; the Republican-dominated legislature overrode his veto.